It's officially been two weeks since I had LASIK at ReVision LASIK and Cataract Surgery. The procedure is something I've wanted to have done for years and in retrospect I'm not sure why I waited so long. I first got glasses when I was 5 and wore them every day for 27 years. Now, a couple weeks after having LASIK, I STILL find myself reaching for my glasses out of habit even though I no longer need them. Guys, not needing glasses is INCREDIBLE. 
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My LASIK journey started with a complimentary consultation. The staff asked me some questions, measured my eyes, tested my vision with and without my glasses, and measured the thickness of my cornea. They explained the risks, none of which were concerning, the main one being that I would likely have to wear reading glasses once I hit my late 40s/early 50s simply because of the natural aging process of the eye. After the testing was complete, Dr. Schumer came in to deliver the great news - that I was in fact a good candidate for LASIK. After learning that I was a candidate I was able to schedule my procedure. I sat down with a patient care specialist who helped me select a date. She also went over everything I needed to know about the procedure, everything from my arrival the morning of to the aftercare that I needed to plan for. I definitely felt like the consultation was smooth and seamless and I left fully prepared with answers to all of my questions. 

I was given Tylenol PM right as I was leaving so that I could go home and go to sleep. When I got home I headed to bed and slept for approximately 4 hours. The goal was to get to sleep before my numbing drops wore off. When I woke up my eyes were watery but I wasn't in any pain. While I could see well, I did have some sensitivity to light so I used the sunglasses that I was sent home with.  I was able to get back to my normal activities the evening of my procedure. That night I got work done on my computer, watched TV, and sat on the porch with friends telling them all about the experience and showing them the video Nate took. 

Even now, I still move my hand towards where my glasses used to be to adjust glasses that are no longer there.  I relied on glasses for so long that it still seems surreal to no longer need them.  I played indoor soccer wearing glasses, went to the pool wearing glasses, I often fell asleep at night with my glasses on. There are so many little annoyances that I no longer have thanks to LASIK. Things like not being able to get comfortable in bed at night while watching TV because I wouldn't want to lay on my glasses, the annoyance of taking my glasses off every time I'd go to put a shirt on. I recently realized that I can pluck my eyebrows myself - something I struggled with because I couldn't get to them with glasses on and couldn't see to do it with glasses off. ​
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I couldn't be happier with LASIK or Revision LASIK and Cataract Surgery. The only regret I have is not visiting them sooner! To learn more about LASIK you can visit www.revisioneyes.com 

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Schumer, Ophthalmologist, Founder and Medical Director of ReVision LASIK and Cataract Surgery. I spent some time with him in clinic and in the surgery suite where I was able to witness several procedures first hand. 

I've worn glasses since I was in Kindergarten so I've met my share of optometrists over the years. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see what the eye doctor life is all about. My first observation was that Dr. Schumer's passion for Ophthalmology and his patients is evident in all of his encounters. I've never spent time with a corneal surgeon before and was immediately impressed with Dr. Schumer's knowledge and experience.  He has participated in over 30 FDA studies and is a global teacher, trainer and lecturer in his specialty. ​

After shadowing in the clinic for a few hours it was time to head into the surgery suite. ReVision Lasik and Cataract Surgery is located off Polaris Parkway. Patients come to the same beautiful building for their consultations, follow-ups, and procedures. ReVision specializes in LASIK, PRK, Implantable Contact Lenses, Intacs, Advanced Lens Exchange, Cataract Surgery, Dry Eyes, and Corneal Procedures. 

I was surprised to learn that Dr. Schumer performs surgeries "head up". In heads-up surgery, the surgeon performs microsurgical procedures, not by bending over and looking through the eyepiece of a surgical microscope, but by viewing images sent from a three-dimensional camera on a large flat panel display. This method provides better depth of field visual for Dr. Schumer when looking at the eye. It also minimizes stress on
his back and neck which makes performing surgery much more comfortable. When I entered the OR I was given a pair of 3D glasses so I could see exactly what Dr. Schumer was seeing on the large monitor. ​

Next up was LASIK surgery, I was particularly excited to see what happens during a LASIK procedure because I've been wanting to ditch my glasses and have LASIK myself. The patients are awake during the procedure but they don't feel any pain or discomfort at all. There are no needles or injections. The procedure starts with a laser creating a flap around the cornea. Once that's been completed, the patient is moved to another laser where the LASIK treatment begins. With LASIK, a laser is used to reshape the cornea to adjust your eye’s focusing ability. It only takes a few seconds for the laser to correct the vision and then Dr. Schumer puts the flap back in place. The entire procedure takes around 8 minutes per eye. Patients can see better immediately following the procedure and the recovery time is literally overnight. ​

You can learn more about ReVision Lasik and Cataract Surgery by visiting www.revisioneyes.com