Experience report: Laser eye surgery for myopia and presbyopia

Susanne S. shares her experience with Femto-LASIK for myopia and presbyopia

What type of ametropia did you have before the operation?

I was short-sighted. It started about 11 years ago. And after I decided to have my eyes lasered, they were then corrected in such a way, as I also started with presbyopia, that we corrected them in such a way that the short-sightedness and presbyopia balanced each other out.

How was the day of the operation?

The day of the operation has begun. I was very nervous. But thank goodness I had an appointment first thing in the morning. We went in, I was in straight away and the operation itself was quick. It actually went very quickly. And what was fascinating for me was that the drops of anesthetic were administered and I didn’t feel a thing.

So no pain at all during the operation, and I didn’t really have any after the operation either. And what I personally found really bad was walking out of the door, and actually, I did see a bit watery, like you do when you cry. But, yes, I could see clearly without my glasses. That was actually immediate.

How were the first hours and days after the operation?

As I said, I then drove home and the first few hours were actually like that, my eyes just wanted to be closed. It was the light, and somewhere you had the feeling that your eyelids wouldn’t open. So I actually lay there the whole day and let my eyes open, sometimes I slept, but I didn’t feel any pain. I didn’t take any painkillers or the sleeping powder that the doctor gave me during the night. And the next day, I got up, or rather woke up, the first thing I had to do was put on my night cap and glasses. And I have to say, from the next day onwards, my vision was actually, yes, normal and I had no problems. The only thing that was a bit of a problem was the sensitivity to light, but that was said to be normal. Yes, and then I actually came back in the morning for the check-up. Yes, everything was okay. The diopters were gone.

Are you satisfied with the result of the operation?

I was very satisfied and continue to be very satisfied. I have recommended laser eye surgery for presbyopia to four friends and acquaintances who I know have also been here. They are also satisfied, although two were not lasered, but yes. I would do it again. As I said, I thought about whether I should have it done for two years. And yes, with hindsight, I would do it straight away and not wait so long.