Surgery location: Longwood Eye and Lasik Center, West Springfield, MA

Price: $3,000 for both eyes including pre-op and post-op appointments. Any additional corrections needed would be $400 a correction per eye.

Eyes before surgery Left: -5.50/-.75 Right: -6.00/-.5

I’ve been wanting LASIK for years now but I’ve had a deep phobia of eyeball stuff. Gradually with psychotherapy this has diminished recently, and I found myself in a position to get LASIK.

My initial consult was last week on Friday. I met the assistants with a very kind doctor who examined my eyes thoroughly, and told me after exams I was a candidate. They asked how soon I would like it done, and they had a cancellation yesterday, so they said that they could book me for surgery that day.

This past Monday I went for another pre-op exam, and I paid the amount due. I booked all of my post-op appointments, the doctor gave me prescriptions to fill, and told me to start on fish oil immediately to help assist the eye in lubricating while healing. I was also told to get Preservative-free (PF) artificial tests/eye lubricant and bring them to surgery. I picked up my meds and the lubricant that day. My eyes were dilated in this appointment.

I went in for my surgery yesterday. My fiancé went with me. I signed some disclosures then I met with the same doctor I’d met with at the two appointments before. He gave me Valium, which I’d opted for, and made sure I had all of the meds I would need. Then I went back with the surgeon.

The first eye went really smoothly. I don’t remember having pain, just being uncomfortable at points. Surprisingly them cutting the flap- the part I’d been so nervous about- was no big deal. For some reason I got really tense before the second eye even though the first went smoothly, but it was over in minutes. I cried when I got off the table because I could tell my vision was better.

I went in for a quick check after, and they gave me eye shields to wear and reiterated post care and the importance of rest and using the drops. I went home and felt like something was scratching my eye, and very mild pains. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but after less than 20 minutes I was out.

I woke up after my nap (about 3 hours) and put in my drops. I was really excited because I could see. I went outside and there were some halos, but nothing major. I had a very mild headache so I took some ibuprofen and rested. I did another round of eye drops and went to bed a few hours later.

This morning I woke up and did my drops and went to post-op. I now have good enough vision to legally drive. My eyes feel a bit tired but I’ve been working today with breaks. I’m so glad I did this!