I’ve wanted to have LASIK for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t in the cards for me until this year when I realized that a discount program through my health insurance carrier provided a significant discount. Now that I was done having kids, I was ready to do something just for me.

I have always been extremely near sighted, and I’ve always hated it. I am active and spend a lot of my time chasing my children. While I could wear contacts with ease, I always wished for a time when I wouldn’t have to worry about contact cases and solution and lenses.

That wish came true this year.

I could not have asked for a better experience at Piedmont Eye Center. From my very first visit, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in me. I always knew my eyesight was bad. I could never drive a car without my glasses or contacts. And when I woke up in the morning, even my alarm clock was impossible to read. During my initial exam, I realized that I was considered correctable, but legally blind. I also learned that I was a very typical candidate for iLASIK™.

The initial exams were thorough and everything about the procedure was explained in detail. My questions were answered factually, and I was provided with everything I needed to make the best, most informed decision for me. Dr. Bowers was helpful, and I felt confident that by choosing Piedmont, I would have a team of qualified, caring people working with me.

The process to prepare for iLASIK™ was not difficult. The worst part was not being able to wear contacts. I was provided with clear, easy to understand instructions. On the day of my surgery, I arrived just a little nervous, but extremely excited. I couldn’t wait to walk out the door with better vision. During the preparation for the procedure, the staff members were friendly and excited for me. They prepared me for everything I would experience. I remember walking to the procedure room and seeing the fuzzy faces and walls as I walked past. During the procedure, the doctor and nurses were confident and made me feel at ease. They walked me through the procedure, guiding me through what would happen next. The actual procedure took just seconds, and it was fascinating! I thought I would feel queasy or unsure about the laser, but I really wanted to be able to see it being done! There was no pain and no uncomfortable feelings at all. A lot of people tell me that they would love to have this done, but could never go through the procedure. I tell them that it was one of the easiest things I’ve done. You don’t have to worry about keeping your eyes open, and the people around you clearly know what they are doing.

After the procedure, as I walked to the recovery room where I would wait until it was time to go home, my jaw dropped. For the first time since I was a kid, I could actually see clearly. While I know they should probably be used to the happiness people experience after this procedure, the staff members seemed as excited as I was about me being able to see. I was provided with easy to understand instructions for what to do over the next 24 hours, and my husband drove me home. I remember looking out through my protective goggles at the cars in front of us on the drive home. I will never forget the moment when I realized that I could read the license plates of the cars in front of us. I started my day not being able to see hardly anything in detail and ended it being able to see clearly. It was amazing.

The night following the procedure is not painful, but it is a bit uncomfortable for a little while. I was told to expect a gritty feeling, and I felt that a bit. My eyes stung a little bit too. But I followed the instructions and those feelings passed. Dr. Bowers called that night to check on me and to see if I had any concerns.

The next day, I was back to normal. I took the day off from work, but I really didn’t need to. I mostly did it to spend the day enjoying my new eyesight.

Today, my vision is 20/15. I still find it miraculous that I was able to go from not being able to see clearly several feet in front of me to having better than perfect vision. When I wake up in the morning, I can see the alarm clock without squinting. I don’t have to worry about spending time fumbling with my contacts and the solution. When I go to the pool or the beach with my kids, I can dive in without a second thought! I don’t have to worry about closing my eyes under water or having to choose between losing my contacts or not being able to watch my children properly. As each month passes, I find new ways that iLASIK™ has made my life better and easier! We recently went on a camping trip, and I was thrilled to be able to go to bed without worrying about contacts or finding a clean spot to wash my hands and deal with my contacts. I was able to wake up the next morning and just go.

In fact, everyday as I drive to and from work, I’m reminded how greatly iLASIK™ has changed my life. I can see everything so clearly, and it just makes me so happy to have that ability now.

I am so glad I made the decision to have iLASIK™ and to have it at Piedmont Eye Center. I truly feel like I gave myself the best present ever.