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Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 17 October 2009 18:08
Posts: 20,
Visits: 100
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Well I say the sequel, I didn't actually write the original one since it was done back in 2005!
I had researched it on the net and noticed the ebay offer when reading the MSE forums. I've got the original paperwork with my prescription at the time - somewhere! However I was shortsighted and wore glasses all the time. I hadn't always needed to, but with increasing pc usage my sight seemed to deteriorate quite quickly.
The southampton clinic is only about 20 minutes drive from me in Winchester and luckily is on the Winchester side and not in town - bonus! I found the receptionists and optometrists etc very kind and helpful. this is so important when you are probably quite nervous or scared. One downer I would say which was the case in 2005 and every time I've been for aftercare and the re-treat since. why the heck do they insist on having Radio 1 playing? I'm not an old fogey but for gawdsake, you certainly don't need that noise when you might well have a headache and/or be nervous. Why ever don't they put the local radio station on? Something more soothing for patients for certaiin. It really does my head in especially when you can often wait for some time for treatment or between eye exams. I have to try to shut the noise out 
I will always give them low scores on customer service for this reason as I get the feeling that the radio is for the benefit of the receptionists even though it is sited in the waiting area.
I cannot praise the surgeon - Dr Ayoubi highly enough. He explained everything to me (2005) so I knew what result I was likely to get. Same with the procedure, bit scary but you know exactly what's going on at every stage.
I had quite dry eyes for several weeks afterwards but was eventually discharged with 20/20 in my right eye and then just had to wait for my brain to adjust to the monovision - which took about 6 months for me not to feel lopsided.
Then around early 2008 I just began to notice that the tv was not quite as sharp as it had been (and was not the tv settings!) same with distance driving vision. I went back in the summer for a consultation with the option of a re-treat if necessary. Dr Ayoubi said he wouldn't do it until my prescription was more stable and sent me off with FML drops to take for a couple of months. Time marched on and I kept meaning to go back knowing full well that the drops hadn't improved my sight.
I finally got the courage and made the appt just over a week ago and went for an eye test with I guess the optometrist. He said it did need doing and I booked for treatment last Thursday. I was delighted when Dr Ayoubi was going to do it as I trust him. He didn't know why my eye had gone back by 1 dioptre but said he was confident that I should achieve a good result this time and it should not need doing yet again. Just as well really, I don't think I could put myself throush it again.
Interestingly when I was waiting for my consultation, another patient came out from his and told the receptionists that Dr A. wouldn't do his surgery yet. the guy sounded disappointed that he was told to go back in 2 years time. I though it was brilliant because it showed the Dr's professionalism and would not just take the man's money and do an unneccessary operation. Full marks from me for that.
I've had 3 bad days of lightening storms in my eye, couldn't bear any light in it whatsoever and the feeling of a rose bush being shoved in my eye. It should be marketed as a weight loss program as I could not see to get anything to eat! the only respite I had in those 3 days was by using the anaesthetic drops which bought me about 20 mins to have a bath and a slice of toast!
The same guy who did my eye test a week last Saturday was also there this Saturday and who took my bandage lens out - ouch is all I can say. I think the lady who did it in 2005 was more gentle and it didn't hurt back then.
Sunday was the first day (day 4) i ventured out of my darkened room. I think the eye drops do make a difference, in 2005 I was only sent home with a couple of strips of Refresh, no antibiotic, FML or anaesthetic.
I have made sure I have used the drops according to prescription and also used the Refresh more often than last time. I have no swelling now and my eye is fully open.
The sight is still blurry but I do feel that is is improving daily.
I'm venturing into town tomorrow, I have to go for a crown fitting so am being given a lift in (not driving standard of course). I'll wander round town and hope I don't trip over anything or bump into people!!
I'll keep you all posted!
Christina Nightingale
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 17 October 2009 18:08
Posts: 20,
Visits: 100
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Well I managed to have my crown fitting and a good old wander round town afterwards (on Wednesday). It felt slightly odd as the vision in the right eye was not brilliant.
Since then though I can feel my sight improving daily. the drops certainly make a difference I think. If I cover up my left (untreated) eye, I can see that within a couple of seconds my eye will re-focus and can see clearer.
Last Sunday, 3 days post op, my brother in law pruned my apple tree and asked me what I thought. It was just a blur from here in the conservatory, but today I can clearly see it - the bunch of sticks that consitutes my tree anyway!! 
I've not tried driving again yet - I've been ferried everywhere by either my neighbours or the bus. I'm looking forward to going back to work on Monday though and will test my vision to see if I can read numberplates etc before Monday morning.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 17 October 2009 18:08
Posts: 20,
Visits: 100
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Update for you.
11 days post op. I started driving on sunday, it did feel a bit odd at first but it's ok now. I would have imagined that as my brain was used to monovision before the op that it would be a piece of cake. Certainly have got to driving standard sooner than I did when it was originally done in 2005.
Came back to work yesterday and I could read things over the other side of the room but adjusting to reading the pc screen was a little blurry. My vision does re-focus within seconds so that's good. today is even better. Oh and when i was watching Comic Relief on Friday night, I could even see the phone number on the screen which was in quite small lettering - and from about 10ft away.
Overall I am well pleased - so far!
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