is SMILE eye surgery worth it? my before & after experience

Summary

In this detailed account, the narrator shares their journey through laser eye surgery, focusing on the SMILE procedure. After years of hesitation due to horror stories online, they finally undergo the surgery with the hope of improving their vision and avoiding potential complications from contact lenses. The video explains the differences between LASIK, PRK, and SMILE, with a focus on the pros and cons of each. After the surgery, they experience immediate visual improvement, though some dryness and halos persist. The narrator concludes by urging viewers to choose a qualified surgeon and emphasizes the importance of thorough research when considering laser eye surgery.

Takeaways

• 😀 The author had been considering LASIK for years but was initially discouraged by negative stories online.
• 😀 The author decided to move forward with the surgery in January and chose the 'smile' procedure after researching all options.
• 😀 There are three main laser eye surgeries: LASIK, PRK, and SMILE. Each has different benefits and drawbacks.
• 😀 LASIK involves creating a flap in the eye, which can lead to a risk of dry eyes and flap complications.
• 😀 PRK involves reshaping the cornea by removing its surface layer, resulting in longer recovery times but no risk of flap complications.
• 😀 SMILE is the newest procedure, offering the smallest incision and the least likelihood of dry eye, but with a smaller pool of eligible candidates.
• 😀 The author initially considered PRK because of concerns about LASIK complications from their contact sports lifestyle, but ultimately chose SMILE.
• 😀 On surgery day, the author experienced a combination of extreme nervousness, medication (Ativan), and a hands-on approach from the surgeon.
• 😀 The surgery involved numbing drops, eye clamps, and focusing on a light while the surgeon manually extracted the lenticle, a key part of the SMILE procedure.
• 😀 Post-surgery, the author felt some stinging and light sensitivity but saw significant improvement within hours, with 20/20 vision achieved the following morning.
• 😀 Despite some initial dryness and halos around lights, the recovery has been smooth, and the author is confident in the outcome, recommending thorough research and choosing a highly qualified surgeon.

Q & A

What was the main reason the speaker decided to get LASIK surgery?

The speaker had been considering LASIK for years but was initially put off by negative stories online. Ultimately, they decided to go through with the surgery after attending a consultation, and jokingly referenced the possibility of becoming a superhero if something went wrong.

What are the three types of major laser eye surgeries discussed in the video?

The three types of laser eye surgeries discussed are LASIK, PRK, and SMILE.

Why did the speaker choose SMILE surgery over the other options?

The speaker chose SMILE surgery because it had a smaller incision, reduced the risk of dry eyes, and had a shorter recovery time compared to LASIK. Additionally, the speaker was concerned about the flap in LASIK being dislodged during combat sports, which led them to consider PRK or SMILE.

What are the main differences between LASIK, PRK, and SMILE procedures?

LASIK creates a flap in the cornea to reshape it, and is quick with a short recovery but can cause dry eyes and a risk of flap dislodging. PRK reshapes the cornea without creating a flap, which can avoid flap dislodging and reduces dry eyes, but has a longer and more painful recovery. SMILE creates a small hole and removes a lenticule from the cornea, reducing the risk of dry eye and providing a quicker recovery with fewer complications.

What was the speaker’s eye condition before undergoing surgery?

The speaker had a prescription of -5 in both eyes and slight astigmatism in both eyes.

What was the speaker's initial concern about LASIK surgery?

The speaker’s initial concern about LASIK was the potential for the flap created during the surgery to become dislodged in the event of an accident, especially since they participate in combat sports.

How did the speaker feel during the consultation and pre-surgery preparation?

The speaker was very nervous leading up to the surgery, having read many negative stories online. They felt anxious about the procedure but reassured themselves by reminding themselves that personal anecdotes are not representative of statistical outcomes.

What were some of the steps taken during the surgery itself?

During the surgery, the speaker was given numbing eye drops, had a clamp placed on one eye, and focused on a light while the surgeon manually extracted the lenticule. The procedure involved using a laser to form the lenticule, followed by manual extraction, and then the process was repeated for the other eye.

What were the immediate effects after the surgery, and how did the speaker feel?

After the surgery, the speaker's vision was clearer but still covered by a haze. They experienced some light sensitivity and discomfort, but the pain subsided after an hour. They also had some dry eye and used artificial tears as part of the recovery.

Would the speaker undergo the procedure again, based on their experience?

Yes, the speaker would definitely do the procedure again, as they found the experience to be totally worth the time, money, and recovery. They felt the benefit was like getting an Apple Watch—once you experience it, you can’t imagine going back.