My LASIK Journey

Nuvision Medicenters Executive Director Matthew Pruitt underwent High Definition LASIK by Dr. Jackson on June 19th, 2009 in his state-of-the-art New York City facility.

I have always loved to travel and experience new cultures. The most exciting part of traveling is using my camera to catalog the places I’ve been. My vision was not terrible, but it wasn’t perfect either. I passed the DMV’s driving test without glasses, but if a friend passed me on the opposite side of the street; it was likely I might not recognize them. Watching a game at the bar with buddies was always a hassle because I had to ask what the score was. I was embarrassed because I  have been in the LASIK field for more than a decade and couldn’t see the TV screen; it was almost ridiculous. Well, the truth is that Dr. Jackson had rejected me as a candidate time after time. He explained that my prescription was to low to justify elective LASIK eye surgery.

Let me put it in prospective for you. My prescription was -.75 in both eyes. I could strain out the 20/30 line, which practically speaking is decent vision. I could drive, day or night, play sports, swim and go to the movies all without glasses. But I strained a lot. I found myself frustrated at a ball game or watching a concert because I was always missing the details. In early 2009, Dr. Jackson introduced High Definition LASIK. The first of it’s kind. His advancement has revolutionized the field of Laser Eye Surgery by combining the most advanced technology and techniques available anywhere in the world.

If my story sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. Over 160 million Americans consider Laser Vision Correction everyday. Chances are if you have considered LASIK, the biggest factor holding you back is fear. I decided to journal my experience from my first pre-operative exam to my LASIK surgery, through my first night of recovery,  all the way to my 1 month follow up visit today. I hope reading about my experience will help answer some of your questions as you consider whether LASIK is right for you.

Pre Operative Exam (Thursday)

Dr. Jackson performed what initially seemed like a comprehensive eye exam. You know the routine; fill out some paperwork, review medical history, get a bright light shined in your eyes, check your glasses prescription and then the “better 1, better 2 routine. Once the general testing was finished we moved on to the measurements that most of us have never seen and never will at the Optometrists’ office. This is the diagnostic equipment that determines if you get the green light to undergo LASIK. The first machine called a Wavescan determines your prescription 25 times more precise than glasses or contacts. This is the machine that communicates specific details to the Custom-Vue Laser that treats your eyes the day of surgery. After that, an analysis of the shape of your corneas is done with a topographer. Using concentric rings of light that bounce off your eye and into the camera give the surgeon a precision map of the high and low areas of your cornea.  This part of the evaluation is key to appropriate patient selection. For that reason Dr. Jackson explained this test would be repeated several times before LASIK. Finally, we moved on to the last critical test to find out if LASIK was a safe option for me. Corneal Thickness or Pachymetry as it’s called in the trade, is an ultrasonic measurement to determine how thick the cornea is. Turns out I had great physical characteristics and healthy eyes for LASIK. Dr. Jackson reminded that he would not have considered doing LASIK on my paltry prescription without the HD method. He explained he was going to use two different lasers to achieve a result that would go beyond 20/20 vision.

LASIK Day (Friday)

The day quickly approached. I wasn’t nervous; I just wanted to get it done and over with. I worked a full day at the center preparing patients for their LASIK before I would have my own done. When the time came I was a bit more nervous than when the day started. I sat in the chair and after taking a valium and having drops put in my eyes my body and my eyes were both pretty numb. Dr. Jackson reminded me to look into the blinking light above my head and reminded me we would be finished and out of the room within 10 minutes. I was positioned under the laser and Dr. Jackson started. First, he positioned a small device to prop my eyes open so I wouldn’t blink. Then he positioned me under the first laser that would create the precision flap. I felt pressure on my eye and some light. But there wasn’t much to see. It’s kind of a dull blue light After 20 seconds the flap was made, the pressure was gone and my vision got pretty clear again. I liked knowing exactly how long each step was taking as Dr. Jackson and his medical technician consistently voiced the time left till we would move to the next step. After completing the flap Dr. Jackson moved me under the Laser that would reshape my cornea. He lifted the flap that was just made and strangely my vision went blurry I had a tough time finding the blinking light. Dr. Jackson coached me to it and explained that the laser time would be 6 seconds to correct my prescription. Six seconds later it was all over almost as fast as it had begun. I sat up and I could see. My vision was still blurry, but I could see.

My First Night (Friday Night)

I hung around the office after the procedure for about 30 minutes and took a cab home. After the numbing drops wore off my eyes began to tear and they were a little sensitive to light. I never felt any pain or discomfort.  I kept the sunglasses Dr. Jackson gave me on inside my apartment and the sensitivity was gone. The tearing continued till I fell asleep for the night. I was most comfortable the first night with my eyes closed. So I turned on my ipod and rested on my bed. I woke up in the middle of the night. I remember it clearly, because I looked across the room and I could clearly see the time. It was 2:00am! Needless to say I slept the rest of the night comfortably. It had only been 6 hours since I had the procedure.

The Next Morning (Saturday Morning)

I woke up at 7:00am and the first thing I did was look out my window that faces the East River and The Williamsburg Bridge. I could see more detail than I had ever noticed. The Bridge is 2 miles away and I could see details I had never even noticed. I knew it had to be better than 20/20 to see that well. I did notice the vision was sharpest in the middle and still a little cloudy around the edges; almost like a foggy shower door. I walked to work the next day with sunglasses on as my eyes were sensitive to light. Dr. Jackson checked my eyes and my vision. As I predicted, my vision was better than 20/20 it was 20/15. Dr. Jackson explained that the foggy vision was a part of normal healing and that it would go away in a day or two. He explained the importance of wearing sunglasses whenever I was outside and the use of drops was critical to maintaining the result.  I went to work at my desk and found it was a little tough to read the computer. I decided to do some other things I had held off doing until staring at the computer was more comfortable.

3 Days After LASIK (Monday)

I awoke to a third day of clear vision Monday morning and all the fogginess had disappeared like Dr. Jackson promised. I did notice fogginess around street lights and headlights. These are known as halos and are common during the first few weeks after LASIK. I continued to feel more comfortable with sunglasses on when I was outside. I could work on the computer Monday morning, but I noticed after looking at the screen for a prolonged period of time my vision got fuzzy. I had to look away and give my eyes a break every hour or so. That continued for the rest of the week. I also used lots of artificial tears and they helped tremendously.

1 Week After LASIK

At 1 week things were stable. I woke up and went to bed with basically the same vision. There was still some halo effect around bright lights like headlights and streetlights but it was better with each passing day. Dr. Jackson told me the healing process had gone as planned and everything looked great. My vision was the same 20/15 vision as the day after I had the procedure. He mentioned my eyes were a little dry since I spend so much time at a computer. Dr. Jackson gave me samples of artificial tears and reminded me to use them 4 times a day.  He told me I could resume sports, running and even rubbing my eyes if I absolutely needed to.

1 Month After LASIK

Still 20/15! The only lingering effect to remind me that my eyes are still healing, is slight transient halos. I almost don’t even notice them anymore. I enjoy running, cycling, the park, city views from tall buildings more than ever before. I can honestly say I am happier with my LASIK result than I expected I would be. It has changed my life.

I just wish I had done it sooner. But like most things in life timing is everything and the time was just right for me.

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"Nuvision Lasik Surgery - Patient Testimonial Quotes"

The service was great. Everything went exactly the way the staff and doctor explained to me."
Mark, Brooklyn"You are treated very good and they give you confidence."

Raymond, Fresh Meadow"The staff is professional and courteous."

Marie, Fresh Meadow"I checked out a few different places, but I felt extremely comfortable. The moment I walked in, there was no hard sell, no bells and whistles, just a knowledgeable Staff, who seemed to be interested in my well being."

Michael, New York"The service at the office was absolutely great!"

Ramón, Yonkers"The service was great. The staff was awesome. I felt like I wasn’t just another customer."

Emma, New York, NY"The staff is great, I felt comfortable before and after surgery and when I felt uncomfortable Matt explained to me what was going on and assured me everything was o.k."

Simone, Brooklyn"This surgery is definitely worth it and the staff is VERY professional and friendly."

Daria, Rego Park"The staff is so friendly and considerate. Rarely do you go to an office and enter this type of atmosphere."

Brian, Bronx"Everyone is so knowledgeable and friendly. I felt extremely comfortable."

Anel, Bronx"I would recommend my family and friends because of the excellent service provided."

Cesar, Manhattan"The personal care really makes a difference and everything was explained in detail."

Nercida, Queens"The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable."

Cesar, Bronx"The staff is professional and knowledgable."

Oscar D, New York"I think the service is really good and the staff is very friendly. I would definitely recommend NuVision to my relatives and friends."

Humberto, New Jersey"The office is calm and clean. All the staff are friendly and able to answer questions, nothing feels rushed. The results are excellent."

Jennifer, Manhattan
"The staff is professional and courteous."

Augusto, Brooklyn"The procedure was fast and did not hurt! Everyone at the office was very nice."

Chiary, New Jersey"Friendly and very good staff. It was a quick procedure . In one week I went from my FREE examination to surgery. They do not rush you or try to sell you something you are unsure of like other doctors."

Valeri, Manhattan"I was well informed of the procedure . The step by step process . I knew what to expect if the unfortunate arrived. I am just happy it worked out and the procedure agreed with me."

Glenda, Queens"Knowledgeable and friendly staff that make you feel at home and at ease."

Steven, Manhattan"Friendly and experienced staff. They know what they are doing."

Ashraf, Queens"Great Service and really nice staff."

Paulo, Jersey City NJ"Excellent Patient Care and all of my questions were answered."

Daisy, Bronx NY"I feel great without contacts."

Jorge, Uniondale, NY"Excellent team!"

Jose, Woodside, NY"Very Excellent Staff."

Xinia, Union, NJ"All was excellent."

Edgardo, Newark, NJ"Everything is excellent, the staff and the financing plans, everything! "

Hermann, Union City, NJ"For all the attention, courtesy and the staff team."

Esteban, New York, NY

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