By Suzanne Sparrow Watson
Twenty-seven years ago I underwent LASIK surgery to correct my vision. At the time, I couldn’t read the big E on the eye chart with my left eye. I had worn glasses or contacts since I was 10 years old. Not Coke-bottle thickness, but I was headed in that direction. LASIK was a miracle for me. Afterwards I had 20/20 vision that lasted for many years. But as with other body parts, Father Time eventually caught up, and I learned that LASIK was not intended to last forever. At first, I wore “cheaters” from the drug store but eventually my distance vision deteriorated to the point I couldn’t read road signs. This made for some lively discussions on the road trips that my husband and I used to take, where he relied on me for navigation. I finally gave in and started wearing progressive glasses, which give all the satisfaction of a warm shower. My head had to be tilted in just the right way to see or read. And frankly, my vision wasn’t crisp at any angle. That came in handy when I looked in the mirror, but was exceedingly annoying when reading or watching TV.
Luckily, one of the few advantages of getting older is that I started to develop cataracts. My ophthalmologist and I have been discussing surgery for a few years. Because of my LASIK surgery he couldn’t guarantee that traditional lenses would give me perfect vision. In 2021 he told me about light-adjustable lenses (LAL’s) that were being used in Europe for people that previously had LASIK. Unlike traditional lenses that are permanently fixed in their refractive power, he told me LAL’s can be adjusted postoperatively using specialized light treatments.
That seemed a little daunting to me. I wondered exactly what kind of torture they put you through for the adjustments. Turns out that the LAL’s are made of specialized photosensitive material that contain light-reactive molecules. After the lens is implanted, the surgeon uses a light delivery device to expose the lens to specific patterns of UV light. That exposure gradually alters the lens’s shape and optical power, allowing for adjustments over several weeks. Okay – that’s the scientific stuff. But I needed to know how it worked in practice. So I talked with a few friends that had the procedure and they raved about it. Colors were brighter, vision was clear, and they could read a menu without a floodlight streaming down on it.
So, earlier this month I had the LAL’s implanted in both eyes. I did them on consecutive days, which caused some people to question my sanity (not a new phenomenon), but I wanted this process to be done ASAP. The surgeon said it takes 2-4 months for the light treatments and then the final “lock-in” and until that time, one must live as a vampire. Sunlight is a killer for these lenses so even when I take Dooley out to the dog run, I have to don a very “attractive” pair of UV-blocking sunglasses. They also provide a clear pair to wear inside, that fortunately have “cheaters” built in. For the first week I was to stay off of electronic devices. Luckily The Masters was on TV so I was entertained.
Thus far, I’m pretty happy. The day after my second surgery I drove myself to the doctor’s office. I could not read anything on the instrument panel of my car, much less street signs. I questioned whether I should have been driving, but after a vision test the doctor said I was legal by Arizona standards. ‘Nuff said. At one week they checked me again and it looks like 20/20 vision will be possible. Eventually. The computer is still blurry – over time this will subside but for now I can only spend 10-15 minutes on it before I have to take a break.
Overall, I’m glad I did it. The prospect of good vision again is uplifting. My glasses will go to the Lion’s Club donation program so hopefully someone else will enjoy them. A big benefit that I didn’t anticipate? After a week away from electronic devices, my bad habit of constantly checking them is gone. I may not be able to keep up with influencers, but I read more often now, and I think that’s a VERY good trade-off.
It was genius, but it sounds like you made some good choices, Suzanne. Vision is so important..
I’m currently having some vision problems being recently diagnosed with both glaucoma and macular degeneration. Choices are not so easy, but I’ll get through it.
So happy you had a good outcome. Love,Marg
That is great news, Suzanne! Being able to see well is so important to active living and I’m glad to hear that there is an alternative after undergoing Lasik surgery.
I also had Lasik surgery 25 years ago. It was a 50th birthday present from my bride. I did have to return for a little adjustment but it has held up well over the years.
Like you, I wore glasses and then contacts over the years to correct my nearly Mr Magoo vision. I thank you so much for this post, as I have wondered what I could do if my visual acuity should go south. Now, you have provided an answer.
God bless you.
Like the person above, I too, did not have successful cataract surgery due to Lasix they suspect. When they took the cataract off, they found I had one eye with an irregular cornea, which five years later than now assume is the result of the Lasix.. prior to the surgery I was told not to get the specialized adjustable lenses and I have many friends who have had problems with them so I just had the mono vision lenses put in and of course, due to the problem my vision wasn’t great. I had to go to a special optometrist and be fitted with one sclera lens, which is a pain in the neck to say the least.. it’s a process to put it in. It’s a process to take it out and it’s a process to clean it overnight in a special solution and it cost $1000 and when you have this problem even glasses won’t help so it’s just something I have to learn to live with. . So I’m glad you were in one of the ones that didn’t have the issue..
So happy for you! I had the misfortune to do cataract surgery 12 years ago, after wonderful vision from LASIK and it has been terrible. I have to wear a contact lens again and cheaters. I had another LASIK after cataract surgery which didn’t do the job, but made my corneas very thin. I knew they’d come up with something eventually…sorry it wasn’t before I did my cataracts!