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Patient Testimonials
Pickup | 1-Day impression
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LASIK "The procedure can also be completed for both eyes at the same time and, because of the rapid recovery rate, busy people do not even need to take time off work." Kevin (CFO of Tokyo Star Bank) |
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LASIK "I've had LASIK surgery myself and it completely changed my life.That's why I can recommend it wholeheartedly." Mr. John Fanorakis |
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LASIK "It is miraculous and has completely changed my life." Mr. Ken Caplan |
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LASIK "It didn't hurt at all...And immediately after the surgery, I was stunned and delighted to be able to see the second hand moving on the clock on the wall without my glasses." Mr. Kerry Kiyohara |
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LASIK "It has definitely changed my life. Nearly 40 years with glasses and contact lenses were enogh for me." Mr. Carlo Zanbotto |
I have been a manga artist for almost 20 years. . .Whether due to the rather dark room equipped with a light stand and a light table (a desk that is lit from behind) or due to sitting very close to the TV--I’m not sure--but my eyesight that started at 20/12 is now 20/200 and 20/40 (with astigmatism). Since I rarely wear contact lenses or even glasses, my eyesight worsened to the extent that I couldn’t even read the subtitles in movies. Until recently, I was writing a strip about a car racing enthusiast (called Over-Rev). For my research, I would frequent mountain passes to obtain interviews of these groups that gathered there at night. Driving at night soon became difficult, especially in the rain--it felt like I were driving through a kaleidoscope. In today’s modern society where high-definition broadcasting, high-resolution digital cameras, and high-definition LCD screens installed in cellular phones are proliferating, I thought that I must also improve the quality of my own eyes, and thus decided to undergo the operation. Now that I have had the LASIK surgery done, in retrospect, I wonder how I drove the car in the first place. . . I was very lucky to not have been involved in any accident. I just cringe at the thought now. When drawing manga, I am able to capture the finer details of pictures, and the colored pictures that appeared fuzzy earlier are now clear. All good things are now revealed to me! This reconfirmed that eyes are very important in this occupation. I am overwhelmed with happiness. My Profile |
LASIK
I have always suffered from the feeling of having a foreign object in my eye with contact lenses and the discomfort of eyeglasses, so I am really glad that I underwent this surgery. One year back, there was a broadcast on television about laser treatment for nearsightedness, shot from the perspective of a patient in the operation theater. When I enquired about this treatment, I learned that the Esaka Hospital in Osaka was conducting a briefing about this procedure. I attended this briefing. However, a few days later, I was informed about my transfer to Tokyo and forgot all about it. I continued to receive mailings and newsletters from this hospital, and they even answered all my questions, in great detail, too. Thus, I decided to visit Minamiaoyama Eye Clinic in Tokyo for a preliminary exam in June. The tests ranged from a refraction test (where you look through the lens and see a balloon) to using anesthesia eye drops and medicine for dilation to inspect every nook and cranny of my cornea over a 2-hour period. Later, I realized that the doctor who examined me was the same one that led the presentation meeting in Osaka. Regarding it as a matter of fate, I decided to schedule my surgery during my summer break in August. I had the final eye examination a day before the surgery, which was done mainly to determine the extent to which the nearsightedness and astigmatism could be treated. The doctors aimed to achieve eyesight of about 20/12.5 for me. LASIK surgery under anesthesia involves slight shaving of the cornea to create a flap. A laser beam is passed through the opening to alter the refraction angle inside the eye and the flap is then sealed back in place. On the day of my surgery, there were about 15 other patients who underwent the same surgery. Thirty minutes before the surgery, I received anesthesia eye drops and my face was sterilized. The doctor explained the last-minute procedures again. We then entered the very cold laser-machine environment of the operating room. The operation team comprised 4 members: 2 nurses, 1 laser technician, and 1 operating surgeon. I heard a nurse call my name and explain the condition of my cornea. I was turned sideways on the operating table and had sticking bandages attached to the upper half of my face. Some more sticking bandages were used to cover my eyelashes. Then, a wire device was strapped on to hold my eyelids open and to prevent me from blinking. A nurse continued to administer the eye drops. The laser machine was positioned directly above me; and when the focal point of my eye was aligned with the red light, the wire device would open my eyelids even further. “Please continue to look at the red light. You will hear a loud noise, but do not be concerned,” said the doctor. Then, I heard something that suggested that the machine was revolving, and the instrument for shaving my cornea was locked into place on my eye. Next, I heard the following: “You will not be able to see the red light now, but don’t worry.” Immediately after that, I was unable to see (that was when the cornea was shaved and a flap was created). A white sheet was placed over the cornea and I was able see the red light again. The doctor covered all the areas except where the laser beam was to pass, and the irradiation procedure began. “Continue looking at the red light. Everything is going very well,” said the doctor. I then heard the laser technician say, “15 seconds elapsed . . . 5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds . . .” I heard some crackling sounds during the irradiation and could smell something burning. The red light had the appearance of small firework sparklers. The sheet was removed upon completion of the irradiation procedure, and a generous amount of eye medicine was administered. I could then see beyond the brush that was smoothing out the flap of my eye? I could even see that the screws on the laser instrument were straight head screws. Just as they were about to begin the procedure on my left eye, I thought, “Wow! I can see.” After operating on both the eyes, the doctors checked them with a microscope and ensured that they were o.k. before leading me to the recovery room. I could clearly see all the pictures hanging on the walls of that room, and even the words scrolling across the digitized board in the waiting room. It appeared that the surgery was performed while I listened to the doctor’s encouraging instructions. The fearful part of having the eyes shaved and a flap being created went unnoticed because of the anesthesia that prevented the eyes from drying out. On the day of the surgery, there was a slight stinging sensation in my eyes; however, on the following day, at the time of my eye checkup, it had gone away. I had achieved the targeted eyesight of 20/12.5. I then asked the doctor to show me where the flap was made, so he let me look into my eyeball, but there was no visible sign of an incision. I heard that about 50 other people underwent surgery that week at this clinic, and it occurred to me that this was going to become very popular. The only downside was that when they attached the device to keep my eyelids open, a blood vessel in the white part of my eye was scratched, resulting in some internal bleeding (it took 2 weeks to disappear completely). Five years ago, Momoko Sakura, the celebrity, underwent this surgery and said that “it just takes $5,000 dollars, plus a heavy dose of resolve and courage,” but I think it was done so quickly that the last 2 points are not even necessary. I have always suffered from the feeling of having a foreign object in my eye with contact lenses and the discomfort of eyeglasses, so I am really glad that I underwent the surgery. |
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