Post Surgery - The First 3 Hours

Well I got back from London yesterday morning after having my eye surgery.

The surgery itself was postponed a day so it didn't take place until Thursday morning. It was a last minute thing, so last minute in fact that I had already been given and taken all my pre surgery medication (pain killers, anti inflammatories, anti sickness and relaxation drugs) as well as having had my relaxing head massage! Alas surgery on Wednesday was not meant to be...

Come Thursday morning I was beyond prepared and just wanted to get it over with but that's pretty much what happens anyway with laser eye surgery! I was called into the prep area around 10am and was out of the theatre by 10.20.

I had some initial black spots in my vision of my left eye but after 5 or so minutes these dispersed. I was told to keep my eyes shut as much as possible for the first 3 hours and personally I didn't really feel much like opening them before 2pm anyway.

I found the daylight (on a very sunny day) almost unbearable even with my sunglasses on and my eyes shut. In the taxi on the way to my hotel I had to place my hand over my eyes to sheild them further.

Upon arriving at the hotel the light in the lobby also proved too much when removing my glasses to apply the lubricating drops (which must be done every 15 minutes post op on the first day) so we moved to a very dark corner of the hotel bar whilst we waited for our room to be ready.

I could NOT have managed the first 3 hours (or any of the other appointments and stay in London) without the help of my mum. I can't stress how important it would be for anyone considering surgery similar to mine to have help and support by way of someone they know and trust being with them. Mum helped me from the moment I left the recovery room in the clinic by way of guiding me when walking so I didn't have to fully open my eyes, having the necessary drops and medication on hand as and when I needed them, reminding me when I needed them (as I couldn't see a clock), assisting me to find the toilets in the hotel lobby(!), ordering me drinks and helping me drink them without tipping them all over myself in the hotel bar, dealing with hotel staff and generally being there to comfort and reassure me.

That comfort and reassurance was much needed approx 30 mins after surgery when I started to get some pain in my left eye (the same one that had shown black spots earlier). Mum found the necessary pain medication among the different bottles and droppers in the medication pack and helped me apply it to my eye. The pain eventually subsided after another hour and I'm pleased to say did not return!