Gerald Goldberg, MD

I had my eyes treated with the SmartXide dot fractional C02 laser. I took a week off from work (can't believe I'm doing this) to heal.

I arrived 45 minutes early, and chilled out while numbing cream was under my eyes. For the procedure, I was given a squeeze ball for when zaps were uncomfortable. First the nurse put drops in my eyes and they inserted eye shields, kind of like opaque contact lenses. Dr Goldberg has many kinds of lasers, and at my request he first zapped some age spots and red areas on my face with a different laser. Next he injected some numbing medicine (lidocaine?) around my eyes. I was tense, but the doctor let me know it was the most uncomfortable part of the procedure. Next he went over the area around my eyes -- under eyebrows, eyelids, under eyes, and crows' feet -- with two passes of the laser. There was one spot under my left eyebrow where it wasn't numb. Dr. Goldberg offered to inject more lidocaine, but it was fast and I preferred to continue.

The treatment was over quickly, and they removed my eye shields. My vision was very blurry which I think was from gel used with the laser. It also felt weird to blink because of the injected numbing medication, kind of like your mouth feels after the dentist puts in novocaine. My eyes felt huge and blobby. I peeked in the mirror, and my eyes look deep set in my flesh. The nurse washed out my eyes and gave me a cool cloth to put over my eyes. I rested 15-20 minutes, and she washed out my eyes again by which the everything was back in focus.

At home, I have 3 days of prednisone to help minimize swelling. I am putting cold packs on my eyes for about 15 minutes every hour, and doing soaks. Day 0 I just use cool water on a soaking wet washcloth. Starting tomorrow I need to do multiple soaks with vinegar water (1 tablespoon per cup of water approx -- I put a big bowl in my refrigerator). I have many pillows on my bed so I can sleep with my head elevated. I also have a special balm to keep the area moist. The nurse told me several times, strongly, not to let it dry out and develop scabs. She said they see the best results when the area is kept moist while it heals.

I can't believe I did this and took an entire week off from work!

Updated on 14 Aug 2018:
On day 3, Monday, I went into the dermatologist's office. They did a little pulse of light or laser to help resolve the bruise under my eye which I think is due to the lidocaine injection. No charge!
On day 4, I feel pretty good and did some light exercise. I'm still moisturizing like crazy, and the eye area feels tender to the touch, but I think I've done something great for the elasticity of this skin area in the long run.

First let me say I was in no hurry to rush out and get this done at the first place I could find. I researched many doctors that practice laser resurfacing. In my search I learned that it is best to find someone that has the correct credentials for this, not just capable of doing it. Doing it good and right as an "expert" became my main focus in finding the correct doctor. After spending many hours on my laptop, I found Dr. Goldberg. He has well over 30 years of experience. He has as much expertise as one could desire. I went ahead and got a consultation with him and chose to use him. So grateful I found him. I had my resurfacing done. I am so very happy with my results. It was a 2 hour drive for me each way to use him. I would actually travel to another state to use this guy, he's just that awesome! Thanks so much Dr. Goldberg, you're the best!