I Can See Clearly Now:

My Lasik Eye Surgery Experience

Written by Gillian Olivia Witter

My friend Andréa reminded me of this recently refering to this surgery. "In a way it's a great metaphor for what you've been doing and continue to do inwardly too, isn't it? Removing all the barriers that prevented you from using your own clear sight, both literally and figuratively."

Millions of people out there have spent time and money on eye surgery to correct their vision. However, to others that process may seem a bit of a mystery. I want to share my experience in the hope that I inspire someone else to pursue this beautiful result: seeing clearly.

A few years ago, when I was working as a yoga studio receptionist, I became friends with a woman named Bethany. We enjoyed many conversations there, and outside the studio, too. One day, I remember sharing her excitement about having Lasik eye surgery. As soon as I talked to her about it, I felt inspired to get it done. She was so enthusiastic about it that I could not help but check it out. In Toronto, there is the Bochner Institute. You can have a consultation for free, and the surgery costs about $5000. I really wanted to do it but, at the time, funds were non-existent.

Fast forward to my arrival in Korea. I learned that Korea is the plastic surgery capital of the world (Brazil is a close second), offering the popular Lasik eye surgery, double eyelid surgery, jaw contouring (shaving the jaw bone for a chiseled look), boob jobs, liposuction, and so much more. I compared prices and equipment, and I decided to go for it. A clinic in Seoul serves 1000 foreigners a year, in English, and has a strong, positive reputation. Three foreign teachers who’d worked at my school went to the same clinic, with great results. I also learned that people from Japan, Russia, and surrounding countries come to Korea for this surgery because of the cost (approximately $1200 CND), the most current equipment, and a quick turnaround time: you can have a consultation, eye test, and surgery all within three hours.

Now, I decided not to tell too many people about my plan. Especially family and friends! Mainly because everyone has an opinion, and many opinions are based on fear. But me, I’m fearless! I hear extreme comments like, “ I knew one guy who did it at work, and his eye were buggin’ out of his head afterwards.” Or, “Gillian, I had the chance, but I wouldn’t do it because, it’s your eyes, and you don’t mess with your eyes.” Or, the opposite reaction, which was, “It’s not really a big deal, you’ll be fine.”

I’ve become very good at listening to my intuition. I just decided to go for it!

The Experience

I had my procedure done at the Glory Eye Clinic in Seoul. Seoul is about a two-hour bus ride from where I live, in Jincheon. Once I arrived and checked in at reception, I noted that the waiting room was FULL of people. At least 20 patients, all waiting for some kind of surgery. I waited for about five minutes when I was whisked away for a series of tests. In my opinion, the place felt a bit like a factory. There was an assembly line of ten different machines for different eye tests, You did these tests one after the other. Then, you did the good ol’ cover-one-eye test. Once all your information was in the system, you had your consult with the doctor. Dr. William explained everything to me in English. Depending on your prescription, you have the choice of Lasik or Lasek procedures. I chose Lasik. It’s more expensive but requires less recovery time. You can continue with normal activities the very next day. Once I decided, I paid my $1300 and, because I was from out of town, the receptionist confirmed my hotel booking (included in the cost), I received all my eye drops (about $50 worth), and then headed to another floor for the procedure. It was Lunar New Year, so the clinic was a bit busier than normal.

When it was my turn, I donned a gown and cap, and they had me lie on the surgical bed. I stayed there for about ten minutes, waiting for the doctor to start the operation. During that ten-minute wait, I focused on my breathing and trying to calm down. I was nervous. I was letting some dude cut up my eye to improve my vision. But I trusted the process, continued breathing, and waited patiently.

WARNING – This part is not for the squeamish!

When the doctor was ready for me, he talked me through everything. They put some drops in my eyes. There was a bit of pressure when he pushed down on my eye. (It felt like someone pushing on my eyeball.) Then they positioned a funky contraption to keep my eyes open. Dr. William explained that the procedure takes less than ten minutes and is divided into three parts:

1. He cut a flap in my eye, above my cornea. During that time I was to stare at the green light. When he cut the flap, my vision went black. I couldn’t see anything but a very blurry light. Others had warned me that this was part of the process.

2. He said I would hear a laser sound and smell burning, and that I needn’t be alarmed. I just had to hold perfectly still and hold my breath for a moment.

3. Lastly, when the laser treatment was completed, he put the flap back over my eye and inserted a contact lens to hold it together.

4. Then, he repeated the same three steps with the other eye.

When the corrective procedure was done, I got up and I could see. It was blurry, but I could see. Then, they put me a cab that took me to my hotel. I had to go back the next morning for a check up. I decided to be brave, put on my sunglasses and went to get something to eat. But, everything was so BRIGHT! Even the TV was extremely bright. I needed to put drops in my eyes every 30 minutes to keep them moist. And I slept wearing eye goggles. At nighttime, I saw halos around lights, but I was told that goes away over time. The next day, I woke up all crusty-eyed. But, I could see. Went back for my next day check up, and all was well. One week check up - getting better. Two week check up - even better. One month…well, you get the point.

I can see. I can see clearly! I’ve been wearing glasses since I was three years old. Although, I was a cutie in my glasses, the liberation I feel, being glasses- and contact lens-free, is incredible. It’s unreal. Since I had the procedure, I wake up having this sensation that I need to take out my contacts. I can see so clearly now. I’ll get used to it!

If you ever consider this procedure, go for it! Seeing clearly is worth every penny.