Ben Salter's photos with the keyword: operation

Following on from the picture before: After the corneal flap is lifted the view is similar to the above, with everything thrown out of focus in a sort of watery/blurry way. Then the laser starts it's work. During this 10 second period you can hear the laser clicking as it fires and you are aware of black, cloud like spots around the periphery of your vision (see above), which only last a second or two as the laser sculpts the cornea. There is also a slight smell. The surgeon then smooths the corneal flap back over the eye and your done! Immediately afterward it's a bit like looking through a steamy bathroom, but this soon clears. The most painful part, was back at home with a stinging in the eyes like someone had squirted some lemon juice at you. So lying in the dark with your eyes closed seems to be the best option. But this lasted at most 3hrs and things then settled down very quickly. So far I have no complaints, It's two days since my op, and everything is a lot clearer and here I am back at the PC!! Still a little imbalance between the eyes, but this is perfectly normal at this early stage apparently. It may take up to two months before I get the full benefit as things take a while to fully recover. I hope this helps anyone considering the procedure.

I've been asked alot, "What's it like having laser eye surgery? What do you see? Is it painful?" Well no. it's not painful, but it is uncomfortable. And above is more or less what you see when you are first under the machine. There are a ring of bright white LEDs, in the centre of which is a white ring of light, which surround a single red flashing LED. During the operation you are asked to keep focused on this red dot. Some pressure is applied down around the eye and the process begins by the lifting of a small flap of the cornea in readiness for the laser itself. Go to next picture:

"So, you want laser eye surgery?"