Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Feb. 19, 2004, edition 1 / Page 16
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Page 16 • Thursday, February 19, 2004 The Pendulum Surgery allows student to see through a new set of eyes An Elon student recounts the vision correction surgery that helped her see the world in a new light Laser vision correction surgery, or LASIK, hopefully would bring an end to waking up in the middle of the night and wondering what time it was, momings of searching for my glasses and the restrictions nearsightedness brought to me. lulia Smith Reporter There was only one thing I want ed when 1 turned 21; a new set of eyes. Laser vision correction sur gery, or LASIK, hopefully would bring an end to waking up in the middle of the night and wondering what time it was, momings of searching for my glasses and the restrictions nearsightedness brought tome. The cost of the procedure can range from $800 to $2,000 per eye, and if you can afford it, you will see a change in your life. I went to Southeastern Eye Center in Greensboro Nov. 26 for a free consultation with Dr. Karl Stonecipher. I was in the center for about two hours undergoing exten sive tests to see if I would be a can didate for surgery. Stonecipher reviewed my charts and the pictures that were taken of my eyes that day. He said I was a perfect candidate for the surgery. Next, I would have to make the decision regarding which type of suigery I would have. He highly recommended custom LASIK because of the high-order aberra tions that were found in my eyes. High- order aberrations are aber rations other than sphere and cylin der shape that have an impact on vision. However, he recommended I research the different types of sur gery and said the decision could be made the day of surgery. After making an appointment to have the surgery on Dec. 12,1 went on the Internet to research the differ ent types of LASIK and learn about the differences. Custom LASIK taigets the high- order aberrations which could atuibute to night glare and halos.. Conventional LASIK only corrects the sphere and cylinder aberrations in the eye. Custom LASIK is the newest laser vision correction procedure to be approved by the Food and Drug Adminisration. Stonecipher has been perfomiing custom LASIK for about six months and said only about one in five of his patients arc candidates for the procedure. For those who are candidates, he highly recommends the procedure for an enhanced quality of vision. When my dad and I airived at the office around 1:30 p.m. for suigery, I had not worn contacts for seven days and had been on pre-operative medications for the past three days. To ensure accuracy and predictabil ity the staff completed tests that had been performed previously. After my testing was complete, I informed Stonecipher of my deci sion to have Custom LASIK. I signed the consent forms and was taken to the preoperative area. There, I received postoperative instructions and medication to help me relax during suigery. I waited in a small office and struggled to watch TV. Shortly after, I was taken to a small room where Stonecipher would make the flap. and placed in a chair that resembled a dentist chair. Throughout the whole suigery, he talked to me about Elon and events that were tak ing place during the holiday season. While he talked, he began the suigery by placing a lid speculum in my eye to hold it open. There was some minor discomfort. Next, he made the comeal flap by placing a suction ring around my eyes. This caused minor pain and discomfort for one minute in each eye. The nurses counted down the time, which made it pass faster. When this part of the procedure was completed, the nurses helped me to another room. This is where the actual laser was used to correct my vision. I was told to focus on the red dot above my eye. I could see the flap moving as he worked to place it in position. There was not any discomfoit dur ing this part of the suigery and I had become very sleepy by this point Suigery was over in about 30 minutes and shields were placed over my eyes. I was told to return to the office at 8 the next morning for a follow up and to check my vision. The nurse said I might feel a buming sensation in my eyes in about 30 minutes and this was nor mal. As I was leaving the office, two hours later, my vision was blurred and my dad helped me to the car. I immediately fell asleep and slept for the hour-long ride home. I never felt the buming the sensation. I took a prescribed sleeping pill when I arrived home around 4:30 p.m. and slept until 10:30 p.m. When I woke, my vision was still somewhat blurred. However, I went back to bed and when I awoke around 2:30 am., I could see. It was the most amazing feeling; I could actually see the clock. When I returned to the office the next morning, Stonecipher checked my eyesight I had 20/20 vision and was reading letters on the 20/15 line. Fw the next seven nights, I slept with shields over my eyes. Four times a day for two weeks I placed two kinds of ]xescription drops in my eyes. I also did not wear eye make-up or go swimming during those two weeks. During the next two weeks, my eyes were sensitive to light and halos were visible. TTiis is typical, and as time passed these symptoms decreased At my two week check-up, I was still reading the 20/20 line and more on the 20/15. My eyes were healing very well. It has now been two months since my suigery and my eyes are doing great I no longer experience halos and sensitivity to light Contact Julia Smith at pendu- lum@elon.edu or 278-7247. LASIK Laser Vision Correction Facts # LASIK is the most advanced eye correction procedure available # I'he procedure utilizes the Excimer laser, which is specially designed not to hurt eye tissues # The surgery process Is completely painless # LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism # The procedure typically lasts between two hours and four hours # The laser is actually only used for about one minute p : : , # A change in vision is usually noticed in one hour to two hours after surgery # 98 percent to 99 percent of the patient population have legal driving visioii thWda^ aftef suir^gery ' •'' ■ p f ) : P ■ ■ C; # Laser vision correction has a low incidence of side effects and complicati6ns ' ' Source: www.southeastemeyecenter.com »
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