Just wanted everyone to know why I haven't posted in a while (in case anyone even noticed ). I just had PRK laser eye surgery on the 14th and today is the first day I can see reasonably well enough to use the computer.

The military is giving the surgery as part of the "war on terrorism"; originally it was for combat arms and support personnel going to Iraq and Afghanistan but they don't want to lose funding so they're allowing all active duty people to enroll.

It's actually a pretty simple operation. The worst part was when the dead layer of cells were abraded off the cornea. A device similar to the tooth polisher your dentist uses rubbed a small brush across the eyeball so the laser would have a straight shot to the cornea.

The whole setup is a bit like "A Clockwork Orange". Eye speculums are used to keep your eyelids open during the entire operation and the doctor holds your head steady while the laser burns off the cornea. It's actually kinda creepy; they don't allow anyone who's claustriphobic take the surgery (at least here).

My vision was originally 20/200 (right eye) and 20/300 (left eye), nearly legally blind. The day after the surgery it was 20/15 (right) and 20/20 (left). Currently I have 20/20 (right) and 20/25 (left) due to a haze that develops as the cornea heals and the dead cell layer is rebuilt. Vision is supposed to fluctuate for the next few months but should stabilize to at least 20/20.

Needless to say, my wife is pissed that I got the surgery for free. Here in Hawaii, eye surgery prices are about 3x higher than they are on the mainland.

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Hello and Welcome to GIDForums™ crystalattice, we hope you enjoy your stay here.

EWWWWWW (thanks for that!)

So what music and movies did they play for your Alex? Star Spangled Banner and Hail to the Chief? Maybe Red Dawn and Iron Eagle?

But how much for a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs? Off post of course, not in the PX.

Glad you are doing better C (see, he he Oh gee)
I crack myself up, perhaps someone should botch the surgery on me to stop this nonsense.

Mark

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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work."
--Thomas Alva Edison
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin
"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
--Hugh Downs

Since you asked, milk is about $4 a gallon but I don't recall the price of eggs. Gas is $2.69 on-base and between $2.89 and $2.99 off-base. Diesel is still around $3.30; the state wholesale gas cap doesn't apply to diesel fuel. It also makes our gas prices lag behind the mainland prices by a week or two.

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
-------------
Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Hey crystalattice,

Glad to hear that the operation went well be sure to let us know what happens. I'm about like you I have 20/200 in one eye not sure about the other I know that without my contact I can see to get around but not much better than that. I have thought about getting the operation but since my job and love in my life requires my eyes I haven't look into getting that done yet, that and the fact that having a laser or anything for that matter shot at my eye kind of freaks me out.

Any ways I hope all goes well.

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If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.

Ya know what would be cool is to be able to shoot lasers from your eyes. That would be so much better than being able to see clearly.

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Start Programming with Python-A beginner's guide to programming and the Python language.
-------------
Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Yeah, you wouldn't have to see what's in front of you. Just melt everything in your path!

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The 3 Laws of the Procrastination Society:
1) Never do today that which can be put off until tomorrow
2) Tomorrow never comes

I notice everything

On a serious note, I am glad (& you must be relieved) the operation went well and that you're recovering fast.

I also need glasses to see since I was 12 years old. I have considered having this laser eye operation in the past but the thought of something going wrong is frankly, very scary. I am too chicken...

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J de Silva
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Just my two cents on the laser correction...

I have a cousin that wore glasses all his life. You know, those 3/4 inch thick suckers. A few years ago I was working for him and he got the surgery done. He had his doubts before he went to the doctor.

When he healed up this is what he told me,

"The first morning I got out of bed and could see the alarm clock without fumbling for my glasses was the happiest day EVER!"
(unfortunately his wife was in the room and immediately countered with Wedding, Birth of daughter, Birth of son but that's a whole 'nother story)

I never really thought about it like that. I wore glasses for a few years around the 4th or 5th grade and my vision corrected itself. Now I have 20/20 and 20/10 vision and don't remember what it was like to wear glasses. I guess I can't appreciate being able to see when I get up without, as my wife puts it, "Putting on her Eyes".

This has been, at the very least, an interesting thread. I want to get the laser implants so I can shoot down terrible drivers on the highway.

Mark

__________________
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work."
--Thomas Alva Edison
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin
"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes."
--Hugh Downs