A Short Update

Not really sure how to start nor write this entry...too many things to write abt.

Itz been ages since i last blogged about my personal life. Work really takes a toll on my energy. I really wanna blog so much...there's so much to say BUT coming home after 8pm on average, I feel so so tired that I cld hardly go on MSN let alone blog. (but i make it a point to have a post at least once a week)

So tonight I thot I just write abt watever comes to my mind and not care too much abt my english, grammar, spelling, vocab, etc

I want to blog abt my birthday...put up the pictures, talk abt my new job at Alexandra Hospital.

In short, I will blog later and more abt my birthday week, and my new work life.

I had thot tt my birthday this year wld be relatively quiet but thanks to many frenz, I enjoyed myself and din feel lonely. e.g. Yellow was very sweet to pei me for my birthday dinner. And mummy and shan ordered a nice cake for me despite them being in Adelaide. (So surprised and touched). Thanks to my sis, I had a life changing experience by going thru LASIK.

Actually before my birthday, i was rather depressed with the things my life was...but God is gracious and even when u forget Him at times, He never forgets you.

Then after bd week, LASIK, then a job interview and an offer. The rest, as they say is history (ok ok...not exactly history...)
I enjoy my work at AH, being able to do what I want to do and more. I love giving talks to the schools. It is very fulfilling and I dun dread it. I try to practise Kaizen (continuous improvement) in my talks so as to improve myself with each talk. Plus the kids are rather adorable and endearing.

The colleagues at work are nice. Boss is understanding enuff (but i still waiting for my first BIG scolding...everyone gets it so i'm just hoping to get mine over and done with)
Plus many many other perks in this job! I'm lovin' it!

So much I dun mind a bit of OT and going back to work on Saturdays!
in fact...another few hours and I'll be back in the office!

Well, hope this is a good enuff update my dear frenz...
cheerios! more details coming soon...stay tuned...

I'm Lovin' It! Life After LASIK...

For many people and myself, laser treatment mean new freedom -

• freedom to change the way the world sees you
• freedom from the time-consuming, day-to-day hassle of glasses or contact lenses
• freedom to play sports without the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses
• freedom to go on holiday and to work without worrying about your eyesight (bringing lens solution, extra soft lens, etc)
• freedom to wake up during the night (and in the morning) and see clearly
• freedom to not have the need to take off glasses to clean the fogged-up lens after leaving an air-con environment to a non-a/c one
• freedom to swim without glasses or optical goggles
• freedom to simply clean the perspiration off your face during exercise

It has been a month and my eyes are healing pretty well. Just the occasional dry eyes. Nothing eye drops couldn't help relieve! :)

Edit: btw, I did my op with the LASIK Surgery Clinic at Paragon...nice friendly people. Pleasant waiting areas too (Got macs to go onto the internet)

My Intralase LASIK Experience

I'm here to say that within a few minutes after the operation, I sat up from the operating chair, I could see everyone and everything in the room. I cried, for me it was a miracle. I tested 6/15 the next day, and I could drive within 24 hours - without GLASSES!!!! My vision fluctuated for about 2 days. I just didn't read or read the computer screen for those 48 hours. I had NO complications, no halos, no on-going blurred vision, no pain, no infections. Every single day of the past week I am thankful and awestruck that I can 'see', I still can't get over it. Yes, I guess I'm a 'poster-child' for all that can go right.

Before Op outside Lasik Surgery Clinic

After Op

The next day

Some information about my INTRALASE LASIK:

LASIK eye flaps are traditionally created using a mechanical microkeratome. This has genereally been a safe technique. However, the microkeratome produces a meniscus-shaped flap of variable overall thickness and always thinner in the center than at the edges. Occasionally a corneal abrasion or an irregular, incomplete, or button-hole flap results.

The IntraLase™ femtosecond laser virtually eliminates the risk traditionally involved in creating a LASIK eye flap. The LASIK surgeon programs the desired thickness, diameter, and hinge placement. Then, without using a blade, the IntraLase™ laser creates a predictable uniform-thickness flap. IntraLASIK is an all-laser LASIK vision treatment that minimizes the possibility of flap complications while maximizing comfort and safety.

Benefits of IntraLASIK with the IntraLase™ femtosecond laser include:

• A premium approach to eye safety
• Virtually eliminates risk with eye flap creation
• Produces consistently perfect eye flaps
• Preserves corneal sensation better
• Markedly less dry eye complaints
• Virtually no eye flap induced distortion
• Lower LASIK eye enhancement rate

Following your LASIK laser eye surgery, you will be required to attend three (3) post-operative examinations:

• 24 hrs after the laser eye surgery
  
• 1 to 2 weeks
• 1 to 3 months (as advised by your optometrist)

How to take care of your eyes post-op:
The day of laser eye surgery should be a day of rest. Your eyes are very sensitive and it is very important to take extra care about activities in which the eye may be poked, rubbed or touched. Keep your eyes well lubricated.

• Avoid rubbing eyes. If your eyes are irritated, use lubricant drops.
• Avoid staring without lubricating the eyes.
• Take a bath instead of a shower. Avoid soap and water in the eyes.

24 hours post surgery

• Shower but continue to avoid any soap or water in the eyes.
• Limit yourself to light activities. Going to the office should probably be avoided. Work at home is acceptable.
• Driving short distances after the eye examination is acceptable if adequate vision is confirmed at the post-operative evaluation.
• Reading, watching TV, working on the computer and office work is acceptable, but it is very important to keep eyes well-lubricated.
• Flying in airplanes is acceptable but keep eyes generously lubricated (every 30 minutes) – airplanes have very dry air.

Day 3 to a week after

• Light exercise (e.g. treadmill, Stairmaster, stationary bike).
• Playing with children (be careful).
• Moderate alcohol consumption may be resumed.
• Sauna or steam room

One week later

• Outdoor activities: jogging, rollerblading, relaxed bicycling (no mountain biking), playing golf.

Activities that can begin after 1 week WITH eye protection.

• Sun-tanning and salon tanning with eye protection for LASIK surgery patients.
• Racquet sports: tennis, squash, racquetball, badminton.
• Swimming, waterslides, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing.
• Basketball, soccer, baseball.
• Motorcycling (wear eye protection).

A month later

Activities that can begin at 1 month WITH eye protection.

• Water skiing, wind surfing, kayaking, surfing.
• Sun-tanning and salon tanning with eye protection for PRK patients.
• Dirt biking, mountain biking.

Activities that can begin at 1 month without eye protection. Proceed with caution:

• Riding a roller coasters.
• Dying your hair and eyebrows
• Swimming, waterslides, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing.
• Basketball, soccer, baseball.

LASIK eye surgery can provide patients quickest improvement in their vision.

But according to the Eye Surgery Education Council, although many patients see improved vision immediately or the day after surgery, the full improvement may not be seen for up to a few months.

Side effects - including dry eyes, blurry vision and reduced night vision - are not uncommon and are usually temporary after LASIK surgery. Most of these symptoms clear up on their own. If they don't, the eye council recommends talking to your doctor.

So if you are considering Lasik:

- Make sure you have somewhere to stay right after the surgery. Somewhere peaceful and dark where you can sleep.
- Be able to make many phone calls. Conversation is your only source of entertainment for the first 24 hours since you can't read, watch TV, or use a computer. And you won't feel like partying.
- Have those eye drops on you at all times.
- Have lots of panadol or some painkiller ready, or better, handy.
- Do NOT have plans for the next day or you may be disappointed. Sometimes it may take a few days before life is back to normal.

Sources: Wikipedia, www.LSC.com.sg

My Journey into a New World

It has been almost 20 years since I could see clearly without the assistance of optical aids.

And this time tomorrow, I would be able to see again with near perfect vision like when I was in primary school.

It is exciting to say the least. Life changing in fact.

For those who do not wear glasses or contacts, you would not be able to know the full extend of the difficulties of being visually impaired. Esp in sports or when I was serving my national service in the army. And oh, thank God for digital cameras, if not, I'll still be having difficulties with the viewfinder (adjusting the diopter) when I take pictures. (but binoculars will still be a problem)

Well, come this time tomorrow, no more! I would be able to play contact sports, go swimming (diving even), night hikes, with less inconveniences and a huge improvement in the quality of life as well as quality of vision!

LASIK can mean new freedom -

• freedom to change the way the world sees you
• freedom from the time-consuming, day-to-day hassle of glasses or contact lenses
• freedom to play sports without the inconvenience of glasses or contact lenses
• freedom to go on holiday and to work without worrying about your eyesight
• freedom to wake up during the night and see clearly

Contact lens intolerance, tired of wearing glasses, and lifestyle activities that are inhibited due to glasses or lens wear such as outdoor sports like golf, football, water sports or hiking...these worries will be a thing of the past!

Spectacles are cosmetically unappealing for some. There is a degree of distortion when looking through the periphery of the glasses, the field of vision is reduced and on leaving a cold room/bus, moisture can fog the glasses and blur vision for a few minutes. Hence glasses are unacceptable for certain careers. Contact lenses require motivation with great attention to hygiene during insertion and removal, failing which sight - threatening infections may result.

LASIK overcomes all these disadvantages.

Here's to freedom!