I Seriously Am Getting LASIK Eye Surgery

Fittingly enough, it was almost exactly one year ago that I shared the incredibly awkward and embarrassing events of I Seriously Need To Get LASIK Eye Surgery. Now, I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to share that as of March 3, I will no longer be shackled by the restraints of my ocular limitations! Yes, that’s right folks, this is the day I’ll finally be getting LASIK eye surgery! Hallelujah! Amen!

If you’ve ever had the (mis)fortune of hearing me talk about my vision, then you’ll know that LASIK is something I’ve quite literally been talking about doing for AGES! Given that 2022 is the year I’m finally taking the reigns of my life – more on this in the coming months ahead – I decided now was the right time and my LASIK procedure would act as the ideal way to kick things off to ensure that both my vision and outlook are no longer blurry.

For those who may not know, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist (mine will be Dr. Sean Edelstein at TLC Laser Eye Centers in Chesterfield, Missouri) who uses a laser to reshape the eye’s cornea in order to improve visual acuity. LASIK provides a long-lasting alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses, which is exactly what I need!

My Optometrist, Dr. Marcus Cuff, who is also my good friend, recommended I get my LASIK done at TLC Laser Eye Centers, so at the tailend of January, I went and had my free consultation. Initially, I was a wee-bit nervous because at the time there was zero guarantee I’d even be eligible for LASIK. I’d been hoping and praying with all my might I would be, but there’s plenty of people who aren’t, so my fear of being one of them was unfortunately quite grand.

Once there, they ran me through a series of tests similar to those you’d do at your local eye doctor’s. Which is more clear, one or two? What’s the lowest line you can read? Just all the standard stuff. It was pretty routine till they dilated my eyes. I thought nothing of it when it happened, but let me tell you what, the after effects were really quite something.

Once they congratulated me on being LASIK eligible (Hallelujah! Amen!) they had me sit down in the office to sign off on all the necessary paperwork. I sat there and looked down at the papers before me and literally couldn’t see shit. My eyes were so dilated that them damn words didn’t even look like they were written in English. I took a deep breath and thought to myself, uh oh, what the hell am I gonna do now? I took my glasses off and held the papers four inches from my nose and then and only then was I actually able to read them. After agreeing to the terms and conditions, I signed off on the procedure and scheduled my surgery for March 3.

Before I left the office, the kind staff gave me this super important, necessary, and needed plastic sunscreen that I was able to slip into my glasses. Let me tell you all what, if it weren’t for that lil’ plastic shield, I wouldn’t have been able to leave that parking lot for at least a solid two hours. For once I got in my car to leave, I sat there for a couple minutes thinking to myself, I really shouldn’t have come here alone today. That dilation seriously had me fucked up. Nonetheless, I was hungry as hell and knew The Cheesecake Factory was just across the street, so I mustered the strength and drove the little way needed to my delicious lunch.

Thank goodness Cheesecake Factory’s are notoriously darker than most places and it wasn’t at all busy. This combination allowed me to sit there for at least ninety minutes, providing my eyes with the time necessary to adjust to the dilation before I went about the rest of my day.

This might not mean anything to most of you, but to those who are familiar with eyes, mine are bad. Correction, I mean TERRIBLE! My left eye is a -6.5 and my right a -5.5! I’m completely and totally useless without my glasses or contacts, so the fact that this surgery will remedy that ailment makes me happier than ever!

Amazingly enough, the surgery itself will only take ten minutes (five minutes per eye) and cost me just under $3,900 (thank you insurance for covering $1,000)! I was definitely expecting more on both accounts, so this is truly a blessing! Plus, TLC has a lifetime guarantee, so if in ten years I need my eyes touched up, I can just schedule an appointment and they’ll laser me right back to 20/20! INCREDIBLE!

I’ve never had any kind of surgery before, so this’ll be a first for me, but given that I’m electing to have this done, I couldn’t be more excited! To finally be able to see with my own eyes without the accompaniment of my glasses or contacts will be a genuine dream come true and one that I’ve been waiting forever for. Like my girl’s Leona Lewis and Kelly Clarkson sing, some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this!

As always, THANK YOU so much for reading! Please feel free to leave me a comment below! Have you had LASIK or thought about getting it? I’d love to hear! I absolutely LOVE reading and responding to any and all comments I receive, so don’t be shy sharing! I’ll be back next week with another all-new blog, but until then, I wish you all, all the best!