My LASIK Experience: From Astigmatism to Clear Vision
Growing up in Jaffna, I faced the challenges of astigmatism, a common imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes blurred vision. From a young age, I relied on high-power spectacles with cylindrical lenses. Regular visits to Dr. Chandrakumar and Dr. Malaravan confirmed my condition and emphasized the importance of wearing glasses. They mentioned that laser surgery could correct my vision but was only available in Colombo and not suitable for young children.
At five years old, my parents encouraged me to wear spectacles, but I resisted until I was 14 due to shyness. My reluctance led to worsening vision and difficulties in reading and seeing the blackboard at school. Eventually, I realized the necessity of wearing glasses and spent my O/L, A/L, and university years with them. Even during athletic activities like high jump, I had to manage without them, which was challenging.
After completing my university studies, I began working as a DevOps Engineer at IFS R&D International (Pvt) Ltd in Colombo. Despite using spectacles at work, I faced some limitations. When my father experienced vision problems, we sought advice from Dr. Saliya Pathirana. During this time, I decided to explore the possibility of LASIK surgery for myself.
Dr. Pathirana referred me to Dr. D Wariyapola, who conducted several tests at VisionCare (Ward Place) and Nawaloka Eye Center. After confirming my eligibility for LASIK, I scheduled the surgery and received pre- and post-operative instructions.
On the day of the surgery (June 2024), I was instructed to come prepared, avoiding eye makeup and hair sprays. Upon arrival at the LASIK center, I was given a blue surgical dress and my eyes were cleaned with a liquid solution. Eye drops were administered to numb my eyes, and I was taken to the surgery room. The procedure involved using a clip to keep my eyes open, cutting a corneal flap, and performing the laser correction. Though I felt pressure, there was no pain. The laser correction itself took less than a minute per eye, followed by continuous application of liquids and a bandage contact lens to protect the flap. But the whole process for one eye took 4–5 min.
After the surgery, I experienced discomfort, with watery eyes and difficulty opening them for the first two days. Bright lights were unbearable, and I stayed in dark rooms. By the third day, I could open my eyes, though vision remained blurry due to the bandage lens. After a week, the bandage lenses were removed, and I was prescribed eye drops. My vision improved significantly, though there were occasional fluctuations.
Now, two weeks post-surgery, I can read and use my laptop, albeit with UV and blue cut lenses. My vision continues to stabilize, and I have another post-surgery check-up scheduled in a month to assess the correction accuracy.
One of the ongoing challenges is the need to use eye drops for another four months, with some drops requiring application every two hours. This aspect has been demanding, but it is a crucial part of the healing process.
The Cost of LASIK Surgery
The LASIK surgery at Nawaloka Lasik Center cost 244,000 LKR for both eyes, which included ward facilities. For those who do not need ward facilities, the cost can be managed at 214,000 LKR. In my case, I opted for the ward facilities to facilitate an insurance claim, though it wasn’t strictly necessary.
Pre- and Post-Operative Instructions
This journey from astigmatism to clear vision through LASIK has been transformative. The initial discomfort was a small price to pay for the freedom from glasses. I look forward to fully enjoying the benefits of my corrected vision as I continue my recovery.
By sharing my LASIK experience, I hope to inform and encourage others considering this procedure. It has been a life-changing decision, significantly improving my quality of life.
Note : As of my knowledge in research, LASIK is performed to correct the refractive errors of nearsightedness, farsightedness, myopia, and astigmatism. (Not only my problem — astigmatism)
