December 20, 2000: Laser Eye Surgery

Mom and I took the bus to the Blue Line and then took the 'El' out to the O'hare airport.    We rented a car from the airport and drove to the Laser Eye Center in Westchester.     I had to take this test which tested the thickness of your corneal flap.    My eyes had to be numbed before the test.    The 2nd test was to measure your eye, so when the procedure was done, it was done with accuracy.  Then, you went to a room and get a Valium pill to help you relax.   They also dilated and numbed your eyes with eye drops.     Then, you were moved to the room where the laser procedure was done.    I was so scared to go in there.    Dr. Probst was so handsome looking.    He looked like he was in his 30s.   When I got on the table, he asked me how I got my lipstick to match my sweater.    I got more numbing drops in my eye and then they put this wire thing over your eye to hold down your eyelids.   You stared at this blinking red light.  You could see when the corneal flap was being created and when it was lifted up, your eye went grey for a few seconds.  He asked if I saw the red light which I did see.   The corneal flap was lifted and then the laser light came down at my eye and the computer automatically counted down from 59 to 0.   I could smell the fumes.    Then, the computer said complete.     Then, the same procedure was done on the other eye.    The procedure took less than 15 minutes for both eyes.    Then, the doctor put the corneal flap back on the eye and you start to see immediate results.  I got more drops in my eye and then was escorted to the recovery room.   My mom was able to see the procedure done on the TV. She said it was scary to watch it.    After recovery, I went to a different room and got eye drops and the eyeglass shields I had to wear.     

As we walked out to the car, I couldn't see much, as it was hazy.     We dropped off the car at the rental place and took a cab home, as I didn't feel like dealing with public transportation.   I got back to my apartment and slept for 5 hours, as instructed.    

When I woke up, I had to put more eye drops in my eyes.   It was amazing how I could actually see without glasses.    My eyesight before the surgery was 20/675, but after the procedure, it was about 20/30.       Mom ordered us pizza from Pizza Hut.   

Brandie Darr stopped over to see how I was doing.  Kelsey and Grandpa called to see how I was doing.