Eye laser surgery

After much consideration, comparison, and opinions gathered, i've finally went for my eye laser surgery at Vista, The curve on 31st July 2009, by Dr. Aloysius Joseph Low and his assistants.

I've been wanting to go for lasik since years back. In fact,was encouraged by my mum, who has been searching for infomations n doctor's advice for me. (I think she is much relief now after i've done the surgery)

Before deciding Vista to be the one, I did compare in term of popularity of doctor, experience, skill & technology used, price and etc with othr lasik centre.(like Optimax, TLC..)

Lasik centres in Sgp also having promotion like SGD2388 for both eyes using intralase tech. I've been hearing that Sgp is more advance in medical and more strict in medication, and i alwiz believe in their professionalism (the moon in othr country is alwiz brighter) =p

So i googled and check on the two famous lasik centres which are Lasik Surgery Clinic (LSC) and the Shinagawa Lasik Centre in their own website, in forums and chatting rooms as well. After knowing the pro & cons, i called to know further on the price and machine use for my case. They both suggested me to go over for an eye test to see whether i'm qualify for the laser surgery or not. Well, in fact, i've gone for an eye examination at Vista in Jan 2009 which costed me Rm150. i spent 3 hours there for all sort of diagnostic test and dilated eye examination. The result shown that i'm suitable for the surgery so i didnt go to Sgp for checking again. (Vista quoted me the most expensive package they have in house and thus i try to find cheaper one and postpone my plan)

Thru the phone conversation, i noticed that LSC has better equipment so i spoke longer with LSC. They quoted me a price (using same technology-Nasa ilasik Visx machine) which after convertion it's almost the same with KL so i've made appointment with LSC. But then, questions on transportation n hassle of travelling up and down came across my mind. I cant drive after the surgery and i have to go for check ups consistently.. should i choose Sgp which is far from KL?? Sigh, so i turned back and chose Vista instead.

On 31st July, my appointment was at 4pm, i took halfday leave only and sent to The Curve by my helpful colleague. Frankly speaking, i was quite nervous at that time cause i've nvr undergo any surgery before.. But still, i was there by myself, w/o a companion as i prefer to be alone than asking someone to wait for me at outside and do nothing.

Before entering to the operation theater (OT), i was brought to a rest room where i need to clean my face, wash my hands and take off my glasses. The nurse there then put on a patient wear for me. (a gown, disposable cap and boot) After that, she briefed me on eye medication needed to apply after the surgery. Then, she put something like eye drop to numb my eyes. After a 10-15 minutes, i was brought to the OT and meet Dr. Aloysius. Honestly he is really experienced and good in calming patient.

Basically, i need to go thru two steps of the process.
Firstly, i laid down on the surgery bed of the first machine which was to create the corneal flap using blade-free approach. (the thin-cut flap of tissue that the doctor folds back in order to perform the next step-LASIK). It was painless, i feel nothing at all! If i were to express how it feels, i would said i just felt shock when the machine sucked my eye, (even i'm awared of it but it's a body nature reaction when something touches you in a sudden) and the light is too bright for me.. i felt better when it comes to another eye. (They did one eye followed by the othr)
And, do not worry about what to do since one cant blink the eyes during the process. They'll put a plastic thingy to open your eyes widely and no matter how you blink your eyes also it would not affect the process. (some might feel uncomfortable with it but i'm ok)

Secondly, it's also the last step- the Lasik. I was moved to another machine (just beside) to undergo Lasik. It was quite funny, cause you see the whole process with your own eyes, (how to do it if your eyes are not open rite?!) I can see how the doc open the flap and close it back.haha..
Again, it's painless.. you just need to follow doctor's instruction such as keep staring at the red dot and etc..

I was praised by both the doctors-Dr.Aloysius & his assistant for being so cooperative and steady throughout the whole process.
Haha,i was actually smiling while doing. Cause, initially i was so scared if it's painful but eventually it's painless and the surgery was so fast,done w/i few minutes! sumore it costed me so much, for sure i want the best result to be..!

Even though i need to wear the shades everyday, and wear the uncomfortable transparent eye protector every night before sleep, and alarm rings every hour reminding me to put eye drop, and the vision is fluctuating, (according to doc, it takes 3-6mths to fully recover and stay stable) i started to feel that my life is so good w/o spectacles!!

Although i'll have permanent "glare and halo" due to the size of my pupils are large (vision is so blur especially at night, sigh.. ) And, heartache that the figure in saving account went back to zero again.. sob~sob~~
At this moment, I have no regret of doing lasik. =)
Hoping that my vision will stays clear permanently and one day, my glare&halo would be cured w/o extra charges..

May my wishes come true.. and yours too.. =)

For reference:

http://www.vista.com.my/
http://www.lsc.sg/
http://www.shinagawa.com.sg/
http://www.optimax.com.my/