Lasik Surgery and Nursing

EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 13, 2009

I had both eyes done last May, and have absolutely no regrets! I kick myself everyday for waiting so long to finally have it done!!

I was off work for about 5 days afterwards (I'm an ER tech). It took about that long for the worst of the halo's to go away anyway. The daytime halo's slowly decreased over time and went away after probably 3 months, and the nighttime halo's went away after 5-6 months. I have really large pupils, so the doctor said that my halo's would persist longer than the normal person. I had dry eyes for about a month afterwards, but nothing that a few lubricating eye drops couldn't take care of. My vision is perfect. I have gone to all of my follow-up appointments (1 day post-op, 1 week, 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and will soon have my 1 year), and my doctor says I'm doing great. I actually had a "nightmare" the other night that I had to wear glasses again:eek:!! It was so hard to get used to not needing them, but now I can't imagine going back.

All in all, it was well worth the money!!!

RCHRTRN · Feb 13, 2009

I had Lasik surgery just prior to my senior semester of nursing school, so I did not miss work. I have spent the last 10 years using reading glasses only when I need to read very fine print or start some IV's. :yeah: I would do it again without hesitation. Good luck with your decision.

rn4babies63 · Feb 13, 2009

How high was your prescription prior to the surgery? I just can't even imagine getting up in the middle of the night and being able to see the clock? I'm just really scared. I've worn glasses since I was 8 years old (I'm 45 now) and wish I had the guts (and money) to do it sooner!

truern · Feb 13, 2009

I was legally blind without correctives when I had my Lasik surgery in NS. I had monovision correction, though, and it caused MAJOR problems at the beginning of the semester when I had to take the math quiz and couldn't see it!! I called my doc in tears and was told to use a pair of reading glasses with one lenses knocked out and a magnifying glass. I passed the quiz with flying colors and a huge headache!

Thankfully my brain made the necessary adjustments and now I see perfectly unless my BG is up...another story for another time.

I think you'll be happy with your results!! :)

EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 13, 2009

How high was your prescription prior to the surgery? I just can't even imagine getting up in the middle of the night and being able to see the clock?

I'm not exactly sure what my prescription was, but lets just say I couldn't see read my alarm clock with 2 inch numbers from 3 feet away-- it was a blurry mess. I woke up many nights after I had it done in disbelief that I could read the clock!! It took me two months to get used to not having to reach for my glasses when I woke up.

suni, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

My daughter just had this done 6 monthes ago and although off and on has had a little blurred vision in the right eye she would not go back to glasses

AirforceRN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

Today is my 2 week anniversary of being glasses free. No dry eyes, no halos, no infection, no regrets. I took 3 days off work and my first shift back was a night shift. I had to use drops to keep things moist but other than that I`m all good.

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

I got mine done--custom lasik-- in 2003, during my first nursing job in L&D. I got it done at 2pm and was at work the next day for an eve shift at 3pm! No blurring, no halos, no pain....There were a little dry for a few days where I used drops maybe every couple of hours, then after that drops just once in the morning...as sleeping all night without blinking they would get dry. But that was for maybe a month maybe a month and a half--but just once a day-- after that nothing ever! 20/10 vision until recently I had it checked 5 years later and now I'm 20/20. I had to wear goggles to bed at night for the first week--really cute!! LOL I was fine at work the next day--though I was a little nervous when I would have to put on a mask to go into the OR--with it close to my eyes but other then that no problems. As far as distance the doc said I wold just reading glasses when I get older--same as I would have prior-- 36 and still don't need them.

I would do it again if I had to-- and I don't do eye balls or joints!! yuck! LOL

Oh and my vision prior was 20/200+ and worse in the dark! Blind!

Duckyaryj · Feb 13, 2009

I had mine done last march, I didnt miss a day of work (I had it done on a Saturday going to work on Monday). I had major problems wearing contacts due to dry eye and a strong script level and as you know glasses were a PIA on and off the job. The only pain I had was the day of the procedure when I was home, I woke up from my nap with a burning sensation that went away with the moisturizer. I still have halos, dryness, and some occasional blurring but not nearly as much as I did with contacts and glasses.

The price wasnt as bad as I thought and because I had a certain type of insurance I got a 20% discount!

truern · Feb 14, 2009

It took me two months to get used to not having to reach for my glasses when I woke up.

How many times did you almost poke out your eye from pushing back glasses that weren't there?!?

AirforceRN, RN · Feb 14, 2009

I still scratch the corner of my eye by bringing my finger up the side of my nose. I'm sure one day I'll realize that I can just jam er right in there.