I Can See Clearly Now

Three weeks ago, I had lasik surgery at North Suburban Eye Specialists in Minnesota.  I could not be happier with the results!

I started wearing glasses senior year of college.  I noticed I was starting to get headaches when reading or using the computer, and someone suggested I get my eyes checked.  Turns out, I was near sided in one eye and far in the other, which was the reason for the headaches.  Getting glasses was like an epiphany!  “You mean everyone could read that sign from that distance?  You mean you can actually tell that’s Josh walking in from across the bar?”  I just assumed everyone saw as blurry as I did!

I started wearing contacts about two years ago when I started snowboarding.  I had a pair of over-the-glasses goggles, but every time I put them on, my glasses would fog up!  They also jut out far enough from my face that I had to look almost straight down to see my board and feet, a common practice for a beginning boarder.

In December of last year my eyes started to really bother me while wearing contacts.  I would take them out at the end of the day and at least one of my eyes would flair up red for almost the entire next day.  I actually ended up getting drops for pink eye the first time this happened.  Contacts just didn’t seem worth it anymore and I wanted to find out if I was a candidate for lasik.

I had preliminary appointments at both Lasik Plus in Edina and North Suburban Eye Specialists (NSES).  I ended up going with NSES because I was the most comfortable with their treatment plan.  I never met with a surgeon at Lasik Plus, and according to their results I would only qualify for PRK – another type of eye surgery with a much longer recovery time.  At NSES however, I met with Dr. Lobanoff the same day as my preliminary appointment.  He explained my results and the process of lasik to me, how my eyes worked and about their unique system at NSES.  Apparently, they have the most advanced laser in the state!  Every lasik machine can track the small movements of your eye during surgery – left/right, up/down – but the laser at NSES is currently the only system in MN that can also track the small amount of circular rotation that occurs in your eye as well!

Dr. Lobanoff assured me that I was a candidate for lasik, and he would be able to perform it a few times if needed.  It all has to do with the thickness of the cornea, and while mine was slightly thinner than average, it wouldn’t be an issue.  They also have a guarantee – if my eye site changes I can come back and have the procedure done again at no cost.  He also mentioned that some of the other providers will have a similar guarantee, they have certain requirements on it – like coming in for yearly exams and vision deteriorating beyond a specific point.  I never confirmed if this was the case at Lasik Plus.

The surgery itself went smoothly.  I was given some Valium to help calm my nerves and a series of eye drops prior.  The procedure itself is… uncomfortable.  Its not painful, and its not very long.  Mine took about 8 minutes.  I think the most memorable thing was the smell from the laser – I suppose they are burning your eyeball, so yeah, you’ll smell it.  I put a video below to show some of the process and how it works on a more detailed level.  I don’t remember having my eye marked like that, but every thing else seems pretty spot on.

I had my three week post opp exam today, and my vision is currently at 20/15 and even my astigmatism is corrected!  I cannot imagine anyone not being happy with lasik!  If your looking for lasik in the Minnesota area, I highly recommend the team at NSES.   Tell ‘em I sent you!