Lazer treatment

[j666gak]

Hello,

I have had diabetes now for 12 or 13yrs now, and during that time have attended numerous eye scans. Well yesterday I got the shock of my life when the doctor said that although my vision was better that my eyes are worse, then a canula was put in my arm and some dye was put in then I was blinded for 5/10mins taking more pictures. I was then told by the doctor I was going to need two lots of lazer treatment on both eyes (4 total), at 29 years old.

I have a bit of a phobia with things touching my eyes, so this fill me with fear! I am wondering what is like for people who have had the procedure ie how long it takes? whats involved? equipment used... like clamps to keep your eyes open? recovery time?

Thanks
Guy

 

[Northerner]

I'm sorry to hear this Guy We have quite a few members who have had laser treatment, so hopefully they will be along to share their experiences. Try not to worry, from what I have heard the procedures are uncomfortable but not painful.

 

[hyper-Suze]

Hey Guy,

Don't Panic! I am 30 and in June I had my first set of laser surgery, I also needed 2 sets of it and I also have had diabetes for 12years, how spooky huh?

Anyway, the 2 sets are to do the top half of both eyes in one sitting and the bottom half in the second.

It is no different to having the optician or screening being done. That is as long as it is the slit thingy being done? Nothing touches the eyes, the laser-person will pop a contact lense in your eye and this is only weird for a minute or two, once you get used to not blinking with that eye, it gets easier. oh and a whole load of drops go in, at least your a bloke and wont be wearing mascara, unlike me at my first one! However, your eyes may feel heavy and tired later that day after all the drops!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE prepare and take some painkillers. No-one prepared me at the clinic nor in my letter but I wished to god I had taken some! (oh, and some sunglasses, your pupils will be wide open!)

As I said there is no-one will touch the eye, you'll be asked to look in certain directions and the zapping will be with a green laser light. I took in someone with me if you'd prefer for moral and hand-squeezing support!!!

The laser-person should allow you to take a break if needed and if the zapping hurts, let them know as they can reduce the intensity of the laser. For me, it felt like a mild taser/electrocution but as this is only for a micro second, it is bearable....

I also found, even with the contact lense in that my eyes would not stop streaming and the day after my 1st session, it induced cold-like symptoms as the fluids were escaping via my sinuses, running eyes, nose, sore throat.
My second session was a bit more intense than the first and I posted on here after about the effects afterwards as I had blurry vision for a few days and the pressure in my eye was affecting me. All normal...apparantly!!

Good luck with it Guy and if you have any problems or more questions, give me a shout/PM me.

 

[hyper-Suze]

Hello,

I have a bit of a phobia with things touching my eyes, so this fill me with fear! I am wondering what is like for people who have had the procedure ie how long it takes? whats involved? equipment used... like clamps to keep your eyes open? recovery time?

Thanks
Guy

Sorry meant to add, my session took about 30-40 mins the first time and just over an hour the second. I took the day off from work as medical/surgery/special leave and this is allowed under the DD act and I then took an extra 2 days as holiday leave as I use a VDU and didn't want to strain them. I went hom the morning of the sessions, took more painkillers and slept for 3-4hours.
I ran my blood sugars slightly higher around 9 but it maybe different for you.
My second session and I ran the GP and asked for extra strong painkillers, they gave me morphine based pills and I took those with Ibropufen. I had the day off but it was in a busy week at work so couldn't have the 2 days off after and this is when I noticed more side effects as I had over done things!!!