Deciding to Have Laser Eye Surgery

One of the things about midlife, more specifically turning 50, was realising the need to future-proof my body. We all know that life can throw up more health challenges the older we get, and I want to make sure that I give myself the best chance possible of enjoying life beyond my half century. I exercise regularly, eat healthily (no animal products) and I don’t drink alcohol. Now I’ve got my bunions fixed I’m hoping to return to running in a few weeks. I also got hearing aids last year, as there’s a proven link between hearing loss and dementia in later life. (I’m deaf in one ear so I have CROS hearing aids which send sound from my deaf side to my hearing side.) Now, I’m turning my focus (excuse the pun) to my sight and eye health.

I’ve needed glasses since I was ten years old. Well, actually I’d needed them for a while before I had my eyes tested. There had been a few occasions when friends had called me from down the street and I couldn’t see them. It was only when we were all on holiday in Canada on a boat trip and mum was trying to point out a deer on the riverbank that we knew I really needed glasses. When we got back, I had a sight test, and unsurprisingly, I was diagnosed with myopia (short-sightedness).

Being teased for wearing glasses

Now this was the 1980s, when, at least where I grew up, wearing glasses made you an immediate target for teasing. There was very little choice of frames, not that that would have made any difference. So I had to endure five years of secondary school being called “four eyes” and various other insults, until I got contact lenses when I was 16. Around that time, laser eye surgery was just coming onto the market. I asked my optician about it but was advised against it. Four decades later, so much has changed.

Now, wearing glasses is as much a fashion statement as a necessity. I have five pairs of specs that are a world away from the limited selection available in the 80s! (And the less said about the standard issue NHS frames the better!)

Over the years my sight has worsened and is now -7.00 in both eyes. I also have an astigmatism in one eye – this is a common refractive error that affects the shape of the eye’s cornea or lens, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances, My prescription is now so strong that it has knocked out my near vision, so I need reading glasses on top of contact lenses. I do have single vision glasses for when I’m not wearing my contacts, but I find they slip down my nose and disturb my makeup. Plus, I don’t like exercising whilst wearing specs.

Deciding to have laser eye surgery

Add to that the impact of perimenopause/menopause on my eye comfort, and it seems like the perfect time to take the plunge and have corrective laser surgery. For quite a while now, I’ve been experiencing irritation and dry eyes, which can be due to the effect of declining estrogen on tear quality. I know a few people who’ve said deciding to have laser eye surgery was one of the best things they’ve done. The next step is finding a reputable clinic in my area.

Living in Cheshire means I can easily get to Liverpool and Manchester. One of the options on my list is St Paul’s Laser Vision at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. What I hadn’t realised until I started researching it properly, is that there are different types of corrective eye surgery. I want to feel confident that I’m getting the best option for my specific needs. Of course, price is a consideration too, but the most important thing is the outcome. I won’t take any chances with my vision.

It will be a while before I have the treatment yet. But I’ve waited this long, a little bit longer won’t hurt! That said, I long to wake up in the morning and not have to fumble around for my glasses. And being able to go swimming without worrying about getting water in my eyes will be very liberating. I could finally enjoy snorkelling!

Have you had laser eye surgery or are you condsidering it? I’d love to hear about your experience!

This is where I link up