Smile/Relex/Lasik, 39 Y/o M - 1 Month Update

I had the Smile/Relex (essentially small incision lasik) procedure about a month ago. I feel I owe a review of my procedure and progress, considering the number of forums I have read for support over the past month.

Across the span of 4 weeks I have had the full spectrum of emotions on the procedure: anxiously excited, to what-have-I-done?, to this might just work out. I hope my experience below can provide relief to others who just went through the procedure and are in the healing process, or at least a benchmark for those who may be having problems and need to figure out what to do next.



The day of the procedure, the valium, the pain drops, steroid drops, and antibiotic drops all make the surgery surprisingly a non-event. Seriously, no problem. The improvement from non-corrected vision was obvious, but far from perfect. Day 1 and day 2, blurry vision and all that comes with it was really not surprising. Day 3 is when the regret started to kick in.



A few friends and forums reported 20/20 vision almost immediately; I was no where near 20/20. Day 4 and 5 I saw small improvements but began wondering if I just ruined my vision. At day 5 I had a blurry 20/25 and 20/40, with eye drops, but much worse when my eyes were dry, tired, or it was late in the day. I saw halos around lights at night, and even headlights and stoplights during the day. Major difficulty switching focus from near vision to distant vision (ie looking up from a computer screen). Depending on how long I looked at the screen, maybe 20 minutes to fully readjust my focus. The crispness of my vision sucked. Even drops didn't fix it. I constantly noticed my poor vision.



Day 5 to day 10 I was moderately stressed about it all; here's what I did to cope:

1. Told myself it would get better and that I continued to see daily improvement.

2. Benchmarked my improvement

Took online eye tests several times a day.

Printed an eye chart and posted it on the wall

Picked out a stop sign 200 yards from my back window to see when it was clearer and when it wasn't. After drops? Early in the day? Before or after time on the computer? etc...

3. Drops drops drops

4. Closed my eyes for 5-10 minute periods. This always gave me an hour or so of improved vision.

5. Lots of sleep

6. Drank lots of water and didn't drink any alcohol to stay hydrated

7. Tried to limit computer time



Day 10 - Check up at the eye Dr. He says eyes healing correctly, to use lots of drops, and that i was 20/20 and 20/25. I already knew this from my 5-times-a-day eye test, but the crispness in my vision was lacking. Dr. mentions too early to know if an enhancement is needed (essentially a full lasik procedure), says at 3 months we'd know for sure. In general, I constantly noticed that my vision is weaker than it was before corrected. Still use drops every 2 hours. Dr. said procedure cuts/upsets nerves in the eyes which aren't sending signals to the tear ducts. Tears, he said, help eyes focus by providing pressure on the cornea, and providing another "lens" for the eye. Also, most good vision days followed by bad days, then followed again by a good day. Not sure why.



4 weeks in - At this point, there is gradual daily improvement, i have hope, and am feeling pretty good about the procedure. Both eyes are 20/20, but still a bit blurry at long distance, especially with changing light conditions. 20/25 distance pretty crisp. I use drops every 2-3 hours, not for discomfort but because they sharpen my vision. No discomfort...I've had very little discomfort throughout. I still have a focus lag, but less so. I go hours without noticing my vision...its measurably improving. Night time and rainy driving is better. Not yet perfect, but I feel really good about where I'm at. I feel at 3 months I'll be where I need to be.



No contacts for sports and nights out, no glasses, no concerns about being outside on rainy days. I'm happy...but not yet ready to recommend it to others. I'm hopeful that at 3 months I'll have perfect vision, and I'm none worse for the wear, other than a little unnecessary stress.



I hope this helps you, where ever you are in your smile/lasik procedure.



John