Right after the New Year, Pat and I decided to move forward with Lasik. After talking with Lisa Poverski (Director of Community Relations) at Saddleback Eye Center a few times, we finally settled on a date for Lasik.

We arrived at Saddleback Eye Center on Friday, January 11, 2002 at 9:15 a.m. I was ready to go, but Pat was still apprehensive about the thought of eye surgery . . . she didn't want to watch!!

Min Fei (Surgery Assistant) immediately began work on our pre-op exams while Pat and I worked on filling out paperwork. We were then taken to separate exam rooms by Andrea Bartlett (Facilitator) and the Optometrists (Dr. Thuy Hua, Dr. Heip Nguyen and Dr. Mary Sciarra) performed various tests to see where our vision was (Pat was 20/400 in her right eye and 20/500 in her left eye, while I was 20/100 in my left eye and 20/200 with some astigmatism in my right eye) and to verify the steps needed for a successful Lasik surgery.

The larger the denominator (second number), the worse the vision. 20/200, for example, means that you can see at 20 feet what a normal individual can at 200 feet (i.e. your vision is pretty lousy)!!

After my exam was completed I was able to join Pat in her exam room. Because of Pat's advanced age (just over 39), Dr. Sciarra suggested that Pat go with "monovision." Per the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, web site, this is where, "... one eye is primarily corrected for distance vision and the other eye is left slightly nearsighted so it corrects primarily for near vision. When you focus at a particular distance, your vision is clearer in one eye than the other. Since your brain interprets what your eyes see, it learns to select the images that are in focus and ignore those that are not."

Once our pre-op tests were completed, around 11:30 a.m., Charles C. Manger III, M.D. saw us, our surgery was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and we left Saddleback Eye Center to check into the hotel and grab some lunch. Saddleback Eye Center put Pat and me up at The Ayres Hotel in Laguna Woods.

After lunch and a little rest at the hotel (my eyes were still pretty dilated from all the pre-op exams), we went back to Saddleback Eye Center to fill out even more paperwork and get ready for surgery. While sitting in the pre-op area, our glasses were taken from us so that their on-site vision care specialist could insert non-prescription lenses (you'll see why later).

A few minutes before entering the surgery area, Jo Coker (Nurse) gave me Valium to help me to relax and then led me into the surgery area that led to a separate room where the surgery was actually performed. While I was waiting to go into the "laser room", I could see the gentleman that went before me getting up out of the chair and he soon exited the room and said everything went great . . . good news.

Once in the "laser room" everyone made sure that I was comfortable and relaxed. One nurse, Regan Pierce, basically acted like a coach through the whole procedure while the other, Denys (Denise) Brown helped with the laser. I laid down on what looks like a dentist's chair, got to hold a stuffed animal (in this case it was a frog) and was moved back into a fully reclined position, where I then got to stare at a little rubber lizard (attached to the light) while they prepped my eyes for the actual procedure.

With my left eye covered, they moved my chair into position under the laser and I was told to stare at the little red light. As the surgical team read off numbers Dr. Manger started the Lasik procedure.

There was never any "pain". I felt some pressure around the eye socket and at one point could not see ANYTHING. However, the little red light returned and I just focused on the light. Once the "flap" was lifted the little red light became a hazy red glow. This is when the actual "laser" did its work. After a few seconds (which seem like minutes) the flap was put back into place and the original little red light returned. I was then moved out from under the laser and a clear protective shield was placed over my right eye. At that point I was pretty relieved that the procedure was very easy on the patient and had no apprehension as they prepped my left eye and did the same procedure.

Once I was done, I got up out of the chair and was asked to read an eye chart. I don't recall exactly how good or bad I did reading the chart, but even through the clear plastic lenses and "high" on Valium I was able to see!! I was led out of the "laser room" and saw Pat waiting to go in. She looked a little nervous but I told her everything went fine (Pat stated that it went pretty much the same for her!!)

After the surgery I went back to the little waiting room area and rested my eyes and then was moved to an examination room. My left eye felt GREAT, but my right eye felt itchy and was tearing up something fierce!! I think with the Valium really started to kick my buttocks about that time because I just felt funny and my eyes were really sensitive to any light. The post-op exam went well and Dr. Sciarra said everything was fine. I joined Pat in her post-op exam room and Dr. Sciarra said her surgery went well too.

Pat's eyes were not nearly as effected as mine, so she lead me to the main waiting room while we waited to get shuttled to the hotel. Dr. Sciarra asked us if we were willing to stick around after our follow-up exam tomorrow to speak at the seminar that Saddleback Eye Center was giving Saturday morning. We said, "Sure, no problem".

Once back to the hotel we laid down for a nap . . . four hours later I woke up and my eyes (both) felt great!! I could see pretty well considering I still had the plastic lenses covering my eyes. We were hungry and thirsty, so I went to the ice machine and got some bottled water from the front desk and we ordered pizza (delivered). After eating we watched TV until about one in the morning, then finally decided to get some more rest.

The next morning my eyes felt really good and all I wanted to do was remove the protective lenses . . . but we couldn't until our follow-up exam later in the morning. While having breakfast in the hotel cafeteria, we did get some looks, but there was also some other "plastic goggle-ized" Lasik patients!!

After watching some more TV after breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and were shuttled back to Saddleback Eye Center for our follow-up exams. They took us to an exam room and removed our protective goggles and did some tests. The final results were excellent as we BOTH had 20/15 vision!!

We were then given our regular glasses back, with non-prescription lenses, to wear for the next five days to remind us, "DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES" (which was the Mantra for the day). We were also given five days worth of antibiotics (applied four times a day) and lubricating drops to use every hour . . . that we need to use for the next four months!! Also, yesterday in the pre-op waiting area we were given a small bag which contained a set of those cool "plastic goggles" to wear for the next two weeks when we slept, to prevent us from accidentally rubbing our eyes.

The seminar was started about 10:00 a.m. by Holly Zimmerman (Receptionist) and then was turned over to Pam Jolly (Front Office Supervisor) for a short questions and answers session with Dr. Manger, Dr. Sciarra and Linda Riley (Administrator). When that was finished, we were asked to stand up and tell our story of Lasik. After the seminar we met with some of the people that had questions about our procedure. All went well.

After that we said goodbye to all the helpful people at Saddleback Eye Center and headed home ... WITHOUT THE NEED for corrective lenses or contacts!!

	Saddleback Eye Center
	Mayo Clinic: "About Monovision"
	The Ayres Hotel

Click on any "ONE EYE!" below to view the picture. Enjoy.

	Pat Nicholson (39k) Testing Monovision (Friday)
	Pat Nicholson & Greg McIntyre (29k) Sitting In The Pre-Surgery Waiting Room (Friday)
	Pat Nicholson & Greg McIntyre (46k) Sitting In The Main Lobby, Post-Surgery (Friday)
	Pat Nicholson (33k) The Next Morning (Saturday)
	Greg McIntyre (33k) The Next Morning (Saturday)

ATTENTION: The below RealMedia video clip is NOT from the Saddleback Eye Center nor is it Dr. Charles Manger III, M.D. performing the surgery. This video is only supplied to give you a better idea of what the surgery entails.

ONE WEEK AFTER (Friday, January 18, 2002): The only problem that I have run into is that my right eye tends to get dried out quickly. So I am using the GenTeal Lubricating Eye Drops more frequently than the once per hour suggested by Saddleback Eye Center. Pat has experienced no problems!!

ELEVEN DAYS AFTER (Tuesday, January 22, 2002): "I saw Greg on January 22nd for a 1 week post-op exam after LASIK surgery with Dr. Charles Manger at the Saddleback Eye Center. Many of my patients have had LASIK surgery with Dr. Manger and I am continually amazed at the results. Greg showed visual acuities of 20/20 with his left eye and 20/25 with his right eye. There is a little residual astigmatism in the right eye but this is common so soon after the surgery and his vision will continue to improve. His visual acuities before surgery were 20/200 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. Greg's corneas look clear and were measured with keratometry to be over 1 diopter flatter than before. We will see Greg again for a 1 month post-op exam." - Scott T. Anderson, O.D., Visions Optometry, Laguna Hills, CA

NINETEEN DAYS AFTER (Wednesday, January 30, 2002): This was the first day after the surgery where I became really frustrated and actually wondered if I made a mistake. My right eye was constantly scratchy and never really seemed to focus correctly. Every time I used the GenTeal eye drops my eyes became more irritated and sticky. Still, Pat has experienced no problems.

TWENTY-TWO DAYS AFTER (Saturday, February 2, 2002): I decided that I needed to change eye drops and Dr. Manger's office did state that we could also use "Refresh Tears" drops. So, I purchased some over the weekend and it really has made difference!! My eyes are not as nearly dry and scratchy and they do not feel sticky after using these drops ... HOORAY!!

ONE MONTH, ONE DAY AFTER (Tuesday, February 12, 2002): "I saw Greg McIntyre for his 1 month LASIK follow-up on February 12, 2002. His visual acuities were 20/20-2 with both eyes with 20/25 -2 right eye alone and 20/25 -1 left eye alone. His keratometry readings (corneal curvatures) were stable in relation to his 1 week follow-up. Biomicroscopy showed his corneas to be clear and healing well." - Scott T. Anderson, O.D., Visions Optometry, Laguna Hills, CA

ONE MONTH, EIGHT DAYS AFTER (Tuesday, February 19, 2002): The "Refresh Tears" eye drops seem to have made all the difference, and I am once again very happy with the results of the Lasik proceeded. I played my first softball game last Wednesday, February 13, 2002 since the surgery and my eyes worked great. A few thoughts that I have had regarding Lasik ... if you don't wear contacts, it's a difficult transition. Pat has worn contacts for a long time and, as I have stated above, she has experienced no problems. Also, the Lasik has definitely corrected my nearer vision but the astigmatism that I have in my right eye is still a tad noticeable. Because I wore glasses for so long that were able to correct the astigmatism perfectly, the small percentage that has not been corrected (as of yet) from the Lasik is sometimes noticeable (more so at night and when my eyes get tired).

THREE MONTHS AFTER (Thursday, April 11, 2002): "I saw Greg McIntyre for a three month post LASIK follow-up on 4-11-02. His corneas have healed nicely and keratometry readings are stable at 44.62/44.25 right eye and 45.00/44.87 left eye. His visual acuities are 20/25 right eye and 20/20 left eye. A refraction shows his right eye at [-0.25 -0.50 X 92] and left eye [plo -0.25 X 65]. Using trial lenses I showed Greg what his refractive error and vision was before LASIK and he was amazed at the difference. "Plo" is an abbreviation for plano. This means that there is no refractive error in regards to the spherical component of your spectacle prescription. This part of the prescription indicates myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). Another way to write it is [0.00 - 0.25 X 65]." - Scott T. Anderson, O.D., Visions Optometry, Laguna Hills, CA

THREE MONTHS, SEVEN DAYS AFTER (Thursday, April 18, 2002): Yes, I was amazed at seeing my pre-Lasik vision now that I can really see!! One thing that Dr. Anderson and I discussed was the fact that my astigmatism is not 100% corrected, as it was with my glasses. It is probably 98% corrected, but when I spend most (if not all) of my "work" days in front of a computer it tends to put a strain on my eyes. So, if after my six month follow-up the eyes are not fully adjusted to "work", I may need to get a small prescription so my eyes do not get tired so easily. However, outside of "work" (on days when I'm not at the computer for six to eight hours) my eyes are great. Still, Pat has experienced no problems!!

SIX MONTHS AFTER (Thursday, July 11, 2002): "I saw Greg for his 6 month post-LASIK exam on July 11, 2002. Visual acuities were 20/20-3 right eye, 20/20-1 left eye and 20/20+3 both eyes. The refractive error for the right eye was 0.00-0.25X90 showing a very small amount of astigmatism. The left eye showed no refractive error. Corneal curvature was slightly flatter in the right eye and the same as his last visit in the left eye. The rest of the exam showed anterior and posterior segments of both eyes to be normal and healthy. Measurements were made before and after the eyes were dilated. Based on these results Greg's LASIK surgery was a success." - Scott T. Anderson, O.D., Visions Optometry, Laguna Hills, CA

SIX MONTHS, FIVE DAYS AFTER (Tuesday, July 16, 2002): The problem I had with my astigmatism has really gone away, probably since my cornea has flattened out. I guess it just took longer for my eyes to get back to normal after the surgery. Now, my eyes are great ALL THE TIME!!

SIX MONTHS, SIX DAYS AFTER (Wednesday, July 17, 2002): "The only complaint I have after getting my new "mono vision" eyes is that I have to hold my books a little farther from my face when I read at night. Aside from that, my eyes have given me no problems. In fact, I had such a lack of problems that after the mandatory four months of hourly eye drops, I stopped using the drops altogether. When I went in for my four month check up (about three weeks late), Dr. Manger reminded me that I should still be using the drops on a daily basis for the entire year. The end." - Pat Nicholson, Lasik Patient, Chino Hills, CA

ONE YEAR, THREE DAYS AFTER (Tuesday, January 14, 2003): "He reported that his vision seems to have improved even more since his six month post-LASIK exam. His visual acuities were 20/20-1 right eye, 20/20-1 left eye and an easily read 20/20 both eyes. His right eye had indeed improved. The refraction showed the slightest amount of astigmatism in the right eye. His corneas appear stable and very healthy. It has been a pleasure to co-manage in Greg's LASIK surgery experience." - Scott T. Anderson, O.D., Visions Optometry, Laguna Hills, CA