I began obsessively reading all the threads on this forum in March when I finally decided to have my LASIK procedure. Initially evaluated by my surgeon in December 2018, I postponed it out of fear until June 27.

My story is somewhat unique. My surgeon is a close family friend, and many friends and family members have had their LASIK done by him. Not only is he a surgeon; he’s also a professor. I chose to have my procedure done outside the States, specifically seeking out this surgeon for his experience and background.

Pre-Op:

• OD: Sph -2.00 Cyl -2.25
• OS: Sph -3.50 Cyl -3.75
• Age: 29, Male
• Occupation: Behavioral analyst (I sit at a computer all day)
• Medications: Mounjaro for weight control, anti-anxiety medication

I asked about the Smile procedure, but my surgeon advised against it due to my astigmatism.

Choosing a Doctor: I sought two opinions—one in the States and one in Mexico. The surgeon in Mexico made me feel much safer due to his extensive experience, professorship, research, and being a family friend.

Get at least two opinions and be obsessive about a doctor’s educational background and experience. During your consultation, have a laundry list of questions. I had the advantage of my doctor being my mom’s childhood friend, so I had 24/7 access to him, and all my questions were answered promptly.

With my anxiety, I asked about everything: pupil sizes, risks, post-op life, and long-term outcomes.

Cost: I paid $950 USD ($17,000 MXN) for both eyes in Monterrey, NL, Mexico.

The Procedure

Day -1: I flew into Monterrey on a red-eye flight. The anxiety over my flight was more intense than my anxiety over the surgery. I landed in Monterrey around 1 am local time and went to bed around 3 am.

Day 0 (Surgery): I woke up and worked until about 1 pm to keep my mind occupied. I took a Valium and used moisturizing eye drops. Took another Valium at 2 pm and a third one at 3:30 pm. I was super anxious and hadn’t gotten enough sleep the night before. Upon arrival at the clinic, they did a final check-up to ensure nothing had changed last minute. I got gowned up, and they put a hair cap on me to keep my hair out of my face.

The doctor set up while I was given my post-op meds. I laid on the bed, and the suction cup was applied. The sensation was shocking but not painful. The doctor walked me through every step to prevent panic. Everything went dark, then boom, I could see again. The hardest part was focusing on the blinking light because my eyes were watery. The doctor reminded me a few times to focus on the light. He manually used some tools on my eyes, applied a solution, and rinsed my eyes.

• Right eye: 19 seconds
• Left eye: 1 min 37 seconds

By 4:45, I was back at my hotel. After napping until 9 pm, I went to dinner. I could see perfectly but experienced halos. The sleep goggles provided broke, so I had to get new ones. I experienced no pain, just dryness. Went back to bed after dinner.

Day 1: I had a post-op appointment and already had 20/20 vision in both eyes. My eyes were sensitive, so I wore dark sunglasses even indoors. I spent the day exploring the city and returned to the hotel by 4 pm.

Day 2: The day was similar to Day 1. I experienced some dryness but forgot my sunglasses, which caused slight pain from the light. I flew back home that day.

Days 3-4: I started noticing the amazing details I couldn’t see before. There was still some slight pain, but nothing major.

Day 7: I traveled to the desert. The heat made my eyes hurt more, especially when I was outside. I used drops very frequently to combat the dryness and irritation.

Day 14: My eyes felt much better, with no pain unless they got dry. I was still using drops every hour. I woke up with dry eyes, and it hurt to blink, so I used gel drops before bed.

Today - Day 17: Still some dryness. But, it’s hot and my AC is blasting. So, I cannot complain.

Tips (will update if I have any more):

• Nutrients: Omega-3 and Vision vitamins are essential. I take them daily.
• Sunglasses: Invest in high-quality, dark sunglasses that block UV rays. It’s about functionality, not fashion.
• Eye drops: Stock up beforehand; you’ll use more than you think. Carry drops everywhere. I use single-use ones in public and container ones at home, refrigerated to help with itching.
• Eyelid wipes: Essential for cleaning morning gunk from your eyes.
• Avoid eye rubbing: Get used to not rubbing your eyes before surgery; it’s bad regardless.
• Clean pillowcases: Wash them daily to avoid infections.
• AC and fans: Both will dry your eyes out. Sacrifice one; I chose to turn off my fan.
• LASIK limitations: It only fixes vision, not issues like occasional cross-eyed moments from prolonged staring.
• Body memory: You might instinctively hold things close to your “good eye” out of habit. Remember, you can see now.
• Rest: Close your eyes often and avoid testing your vision by closing one eye and then the other. Your brain needs to relearn how to see.

Things from the Heart:

• Mindset: Don’t obsess over the surgery or recovery outcomes. Avoid horror stories and negative content online. Trust your doctor, who has an ethical duty to recommend what’s best for you.
• Anxiety: As someone with severe anxiety who attends therapy, I discussed my fears with my therapist. Working through these fears was crucial. Understand that complications are a risk with any procedure, but you’re choosing this, so be aware and informed.
• Surgeon Trust: Trust your surgeon’s training and clinical duty to ensure your safety. Let them do their job.
• Convenience: If possible, do it in the States to avoid the added stress of travel.

My journey with LASIK has been overwhelmingly positive, and I hope sharing my experience helps those considering the procedure.