I have myopia, or commonly knows as short slightedness and astig too. I started wearing glasses when I was 10, the first one in my class to wear glasses. Over the years, the power has increased near to 10 dioptres (the unit used to measure short-sightedness) , that’s very severe and I can’t see much without my glasses or contact lenses.

I hate wearing glasses and because of the power, I hate the glasses, though now we have high dense glasses but still the rings around the glasses can clearly be seen. Nothing much I can do about this short sightedness as I believe it’s inherited. All my family members from my dad’s side wear glasses at a very young age.

I started wearing contact lenses in my early twenties. I wanted to get contact lenses earlier, but my parents was against it thinking that it wasn’t safe. At one point of time, I did experienced very bad infection where the doctor actually recommend me to undergo Lasik to correct my eyesight. He told me that the procedure is very simple and safe. The Lasik Technology has evolved and improved. The only thing that has hold me back was the cost. It cost about RM2.5K – Rm4K per eye to undergo the procedure. (depends on what kind of lasik)

Now that I can afford the cost, but Lasik is not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding woman. If I were to undergo the procedure, I would likely have to wait for another 2 years after I have wean off baby from breastfeeding.

Now you may wonder how Lasik work. It involves cutting and lifting a very thin layer of skin on the corneal surface, lasering the expose tissue and then replacing the layer without stitches.

Step 1: a thin flap is created using a device called a “Microkeratome” and flap is lifted

Step 2: A cool beam laser is applied to the cornea to reshape the cornea curvature

Step 3: The corneal flap is repositioned over the treated area and stays in place without stitches.

Prescription of lasik: Short sightedness :-0.50D to -16.00 D , Astig: -7.00

Vision stabilization: 3 – 4 months

Return to work: 2 days

Pain: mild irritation

Recovery of vision: a few days depending on treatment and healing

It can be done on 1 eye or both eyes together.

Usage of contact lens: normally, no contact lens required

Well, not all are qualified to undergo this procedure. Other than been pregnant and breastfeeding, if you have been diagnosed with Connective tissue, autoimmune or immunodeficiency disease, sever dry eye, this procedure is not suitable for you.