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I’m writing to you now, exactly one week after my procedure Adelaide Eye and Laser Centre and I am BEYOND excited to tell you, I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW!

Before you read on, it’s important for you to know that my friends call me Hayley-Over-Sharing-Pearson – basically meaning that sometimes my details are a little toooooo juicy if you know what I mean! BUT I figure this is good for you as after reading this you will know exactly what to expect!

Also, a couple of words of advice, if you’re having, or thinking about having, laser eye surgery, don’t Google videos BEFORE you take the plunge to be glasses-free!

Save that for afterwards, like I did.

So here it goes…

To help me relax, and at Adelaide Eye and Laser Centre’s suggestion, I popped a pill an hour before I headed in to the centre. By the time I arrived for my appointment, I was more excited than nervy for what was ahead.

I farewelled my huz for a short while and was ushered into a waiting bay. Here I was joined by a kind-hearted nurse who ran through exactly what was about to happen, and everything I should expect afterwards. She also decked me out in a sexy hair net (hot – not!) and marked my forehead to indicate that both eyes need to be lasered.

Then, the fun began. I lay down on the bed and my surgeon, Dr Peter Ingham talked me through exactly what was about to happen, while drops were put in each eye to numb them. The first drop stings a teeny bit, like you’ve just squirted shampoo in your eye, but it goes away almost immediately and you’re pain-free!

The next part was just about keeping completely still. Dr Ingham lined up my eye, (me trying to do doctor-speak), and he did his “thing”  (me trying to describe the procedure). Before I had time to think about it he was telling me to look directly at the green light, and in less than a minute I was done!

So, did I feel it? 

I guess everyone is different, but the only thing I can relate it to is the feeling of having a c-section, where you feel a slight tugging and movement, but no pain. There was no tugging or movement during my eye laser surgery of course, but I was aware that something was happening, and there really was no pain.

Within no time, I was up and walking into the recovery area, blurry eyed, but feeling great.

In the recovery area Dr Ingham checked my eyes and made sure I was all set for the night. He even gave me his mobile number — just in case I had any last minute pressing questions.

My advice

My biggest tip after surgery would be to go home, lock your bedroom door so the kids can’t get in (lols), and put yourself to bed.

As a mama, being forced to sleep was my fave part! And so you don’t accidentally scratch your eyeballs out during the night, definitely wear the gorgeous goggles they provide for you to wear over the next three nights. How lucky is my husband, he gets to wake up next to this 10/10!

The other advice I would give is do your research and choose someone who you trust. Dr Peter Ingham and all the beautiful nurses at Adelaide Eye and Laser Centre were those people for me. Throughout the whole process they were always calm, patient, caring, honest and open with all of my questions and concerns. By the time it was my surgery day, I really did trust that I was in great hands.

The verdict…

The next morning, I woke up and the first thing I noticed was my son’s amazing Disney eyes. They looked like they look when I wear glasses — clear, glistening and perfect! At this point, I was trying not to cry (happy tears)… as I knew it had worked.

That first day is surreal — I could see leaves on trees and the most fabulous detail in everything, but with a smoky haze over the top, which Dr Ingham had informed me was normal and which I was expecting.

The most important thing to remember is you MUST drop it like it’s hot! If you’ve ever seen the Simpson’s episode where Homer has laser eye surgery and lets his eyes dry out completely — do not do this! Adelaide Eye and Laser Centre provides you with a schedule of when to use your drops. And you must do it!

Day two and three, the smoky haze begins to fade and there’s no pain, just a little discomfort, which I can only describe as feeling like you have a grain or two of sand in your eye. Again, this is normal.

Days four to seven, the drops required have reduced and my sight already seems to be even better than it was when I had my glasses on.

One of the best moments in those first few days, was when I visited my in-laws’ house in Crafers, which boasts spectacular views of the beach and city. For the last 16 years, I’ve never been able to fully appreciate how beautiful it is, mainly because it was such a blur.

Now, standing at their windows I can see buildings far off in the distance, leaves on trees, the beach, even the jetty in Glenelg! I am literally MIND-BLOWN.

Not having to reach for my glasses to watch a movie, not having them fog up every time I open the oven or sip my tea, not having them fall into the toilet when I wipe my kids’ bum — it’s amazing!

I’m glasses-free. And everyone was right — it IS life-changing!

 

Hayley x

Hayley Pearson

Hayley Pearson

Co-Creator and Writer for Adelady, she still gets goosebumps that she’s combined her creative passion with sharing the best of her stunning home state.

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