Lasik eye surgery...Is it for me?

For a person with myopia and astigmatism, the idea of Lasik eye surgery is like a dream come true. You can't imagine, unless you're in the same situation, how wonderful it would be to have 20/20 vision without the aid of glasses and/or contact lenses.

Since I've been using contact lenses, I've had at least five eye infections and increased sensitivity. For example, last month, something so severe happened to my eyes, and I don't even know what it was. I had run out of contact solution and was using the same stuff from the night before (big no, no--I know). When I put them in the next morning, my eyes were fine and I went to school, ready to learn! Throughout the day, my eyes became increasingly blood shot and began to burn painfully.

I took the lenses out, but the burning didn't stop. I could hardly open my eyes. I tried using saline to clean my eyes and was extra careful with hand washing. I felt like I was going to pass out, so I napped in my car over break. When I woke up my eyes were like normal, except for a slight dryness that never goes away. How was I supposed to go home now? I had no glasses, and I was afraid to put my lenses back in. I put them in anyway, and my eyes instantly began to burn again. I can honestly say I knew it was wrong to drive home in that state, but I had no choice. I'm lucky I made it in one piece. It took a good 3-5 days for my eyes to recover.

Now, imagine I had undergone Lasik eye surgery? Would situations like that ever occur? Could I finally be free of my poor eye sight? My optometrist seems to think so; she told me I would want it sooner or later. Still, I'm unsure...What if I wind up blind?

Research and talks with people who have had the surgery might reassure me. Watching actual procedures on YouTube has shown me what it's like. I don't know that I'd ever be willing to take the chance. Is the risk really worth it? Guess I'll find out...Here's a sample of the video I watched:



Jackdakota. (2006). My Lasik Eye Surgery. [Video]. Retrieved December 2, 2008, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kDC4sZ5Jg