Lasik and my better life

HELLLOOOO PEOPLE!! I am back! Im sorry for disappearing for awhile, as you know I have been having a brand new change to my life! Other than the fact that I got a new job which is also a new change to my life, I had lasik few weeks ago too! BYE BYE TO NEAR BLINDNESS. LOL. It's true when you have 1000 degree. You are just practically a blind mouse without visual aids. So anyway, here's my review for my lasik. As from the previous post where I mentioned that I longed to do lasik since longest time, I managed to chance upon a few forums happening at a few lasik private clinics. I saw The lasik surgery clinic and w eye clinic from fb that they are having forums whereby you can have some knowledge on the different type of lasik and you can have your queries answered by the ophthalmologist. I really had alot of queries with me like can I do lasik? What will happen if there are refraction after the lasik? What kind of lasik should I do? How long is the recovery? What are the side effects? Is it less effective for people with high degree? I read on alot of reviews that people posted online to gather more information and experience. Of course, amongst those reviews and posts that I have read, most of the clinics are from The Lasik surgery clinic, Shinagawa and National Eye centre. However, I saw this sponsored fb post by w eye clinic and I decided to rsvp for the forum instead. So I went to the forum on 25 March, and I didn't regret going for the talk because I got to meet Dr Gerard Nah and had my queries answered. He was very friendly and professional on our questions. At the end of the forum, we got discounted price for the eye check up as well as value off for the surgery if we choose to do so within 3 months. As I am on contact lens, I need to be off contact lens for at least 7 days for the eye examination test so I have actually book my pre assessment on 6 April. The pre assessment took me about 2hours that day with the usual eye test and pupil size measurement, cornea thickness, tears production capacity, dilation of the pupil which is abit uncomfortable. After many tests, I had my consultation with Dr Nah to check whether I am suitable anot. I was actually on the border line of thin cornea but it was still doable as my pupils are pretty small which can balance out and he actually recommend me to do lasik xtra to strengthen my cornea after the surgery. I didn't make my surgery appointment on the spot because I was hesitating with the amount. It was $3147 for normal lasik wavefront for both eyes and for me to do lasik xtra would cost me additional $1000+ for both eyes which equate to $4000+ for lasik. It was not a small amount considering that I have study loans to pay and at that point of time I still did not have a job either. I went home thinking, to have spend the money and have lasik done would change my life, somehow definitely. I won't have to depend on specs or contact lens anymore. 

Enough of thinking, I WENT AHEAD. The staff at W eye clinic were really very nice because I only got back to them on Wednesday which is 8 April and hoping to have the surgery on 13 April so that I have time to rest at home because potentially I was going to have a job offer confirmed. Initially, it was fully booked plus the fact that I chose lasik xtra means I have to go to Shinagawa for the surgery because w eye clinic actually share the same equipment for lasik xtra. The w eye clinic staff made the effort to help me rearrange instead and yes I got the appointment on 13 April at 3pm! So I had been on my specs for the longest time ever since I changed to contact lens and it brought me discomfort for the few days. My specs was at least a good 5 years back so the degree isn't that accurate to my real degree and I always don't like to wear specs because everything just get limited within the frame. Anything outside the frame = blur. So I've got headache and giddiness on and off. Finally 13 April, I reached Shinagawa and had my consent form signed and prepared for the surgery. Initially, they put anesthetic for both of my eyes so that I won't feel pain during the surgery. They gave me some relaxing pills as well before the surgery. So the first part of surgery begin. The creation of the flap. It was the most uncomfortable moment of the surgery. I don't know how people can say it will be gone and done with within seconds but to me it felt like minutes and hours. My pupils were suck by this suction ring so that they can create the flap on my cornea with the laser. I can feel the suction ring around my eyes for sure. As I am almost a blind mouse, focusing on the light become a tad of problem for me because I really cant see that clearly, the light become blur after seconds. As from Dr Nah, my eyeball keep moving around and I was told to keep focus on the light. I keep tell myself that it will be done in just seonds, it will be done soon real fast so as not to think about the discomfort of the eyes. Lucky before I could really lose my nervousness and the fact that I was about to lost myself to the discomfort, Dr Nah pronounced that it was done. I was then moved to a resting area to let the bubbles that was created during the creation of flap to disappear before doing the second part. All I was told was to keep on blinking so that the bubbles disappear faster. Finally it was done, I was again brought to another room for the second part. Now the second part was to lift the flap and laser the cornea. Another discomfort moment of my life, my eyes was clammed so that I can't blink anymore. How can one feel normal when the eyelid is been clammed? I am sorry that it sounds so terrible to do lasik but this is just my own experience. Many reviews that I read don't feel this way, maybe because I really blink and tear alot. So to have my eyes clammed open is really not my thing. I was about to give up seriously, because after one eye was done, i can feel the pain in the eye already and whats more, I have to continue with the other eye to have the whole surgery done. At one point of time, I actually called Dr Nah because I know if I don't speak, I would really give up. So he responded saying that it will just be done in a few seconds more, keep on encouraging me that only a few more seconds left. I had to do the lasik xtra which is just additional step of adding some vitamin solution into the eyes after surgery and let the rays shine on it to absorb. I was so glad when it was over, seriously relieved. Both my eyes were in pain, or discomfort to a max level, I really didn't know to differentiate anymore. I kept my eyes close because it was too painful to open and I was already tearing badly. I waited for the bf to come and fetch me home. The journey from orchard back home on cab was painful for me. I was tearing crazily and it just feel painful even to close my eyes. I was home, popped the sleeping pills and went to sleep straight with the eye shield. After about an hour plus so, I woke up feeling so much better, at least the painfulness was gone and I could see much clearly. Apply all the eye drops that I needed to, 1 lubricant and 2 for infection and inflammation. I had to wear sunglasses when I woke up because the lights are hurting my eyes. But everything was good so far. Had some food and off I went to bed again. Woke up the next day for post consultation day 1 and I could see already. It was like omg a new life! I don't need specs and I can see even after I woke up from sleep straight away. Everything was good as from Dr Nah and I was told to rest more if I can and remember to use the drops regularly. The following day was my first day of work and I totally have no problem seeing at all! Remembered to use the drops as well and it really did good for my eyes. Had my week 1 consultation at Shinagawa and was given a gel to use for dryness which could affect the vision recovery. So now, I am on week 2 of post surgery already and I would really say it is a positive and best decision I have made to do lasik. I really can't describe how good it feel without having visual aids and still seeing so clearly. Of course I know I am not a 20/20 vision but I believe that I will recover soon enough. Shall do another post review after one month to see the results! YAH TO NO SPECS NO LENS LIFE! 

Anyway, remember to rsvp for forums as you might just get some perks exclusively from the forum only! Check with the clinics on whether there is any installment with credit cards because I applied for 6 months free interest payment with UOB! Less burden financially compared to forking out $4000+ at one go.

Japan/Taiwan - Day 8

ok. One more day of chillax post before I hop into the wonder of nature. We literally chill our days off in Kaohsiung. Sleep about maybe 12 to 1 am and woke up almost everyday at 10 11am. Wash up and it was noon time for lunch already. Today post is very short as well because we basically spend our entire day at the shopping district. 新崛江商圈 is actually located at 中央公園站2號出口. It is said to be the fashion district for youngsters. So why not have a visit and see what loots we can get. But before that, We need to have our brunch. LOL. Chanced upon a themed cafe again and yes we decided to have our brunch there. Photos up!

interior of the cafe before entering the main dining area.

Walking up the stairs, we saw this. no entrance?

The book shelves actually opened up. I likeeeee

This cafe is red riding hood and the wolf. If I remember correctly, the cafe was called big big wolf or sth. I think la~

This is damn cute la. They've got this pac man video game for customers to play for free. I think there is some games interaction with the staff whereby if you win them, you can get a picture or something. 

Super cute la the plushie.

Finished our food and off we go to the shopping area. Shopped around the whole area and got a few stuff only. There's a cinema there and we really have got nothing to do already, so we headed to buy movie tickets instead. Watched the ever popular and my favourite author movie - cafe.waiting.love. This cinema quite chillax because it was amongst the shopping area and a small night market so everybody brought snacks and food in that smell so strong like deep fried chicken. Most buy bubble tea as well. But, we bought nothing. LOL. Didn't know we could do that. Out from the cinema, it was already night time. Had some simple night market food for dinner and we were heading back to pack our luggage to leave for Cingjing early morning liao! 

Taiwan links are here:

Japan/Taiwan - Day 6

Japan/Taiwan - Day 7

If you are looking for my Japan trip, you can link from Japan Day 1 and follow the links over there! 

Japan/Taiwan - Day 7

Now now, it has been day 7. Here are the links for Taiwan for your reference: 

Japan/Taiwan - Day 6

If you are looking for my Japan trip, you can link from Japan Day 1 and follow the links over there! 

Anyway this post is going to be boring one. When I was arranging my photos to be posted, I realised we didn't have much photos for Taiwan except Cingjing farm which would be coming right up soon. We really didn't take the effort to shoot like nobody business, like what a normal traveller would do. But!!! Sometimes I just feel it wasn't worth a shot, there's nothing interesting for me to capture, and maybe because it was Taiwan, a place we came for more than a couple times. So pardon me for boring post with nothing much to write on ( in that case, you will know which places not to go. LOL). 

SO, today itinerary wasn't what I wanted. I mean, seriously it was my sister's idea of coming here. Totally regretted it, we could have gone somewhere else to explore. So we went to this place called 澄清湖觀光區 after nua-ing on the bed till late morning. Apparently some lake tourist place. First, it took us quite long journey here with train and bus and when I reached, I was like O.O Sian max. I appreciate and sometimes love to visit museums or ancient palace, but NOT THIS.

The entrance 

So here comes the interesting part. When we were at the entrance, this uncle approached us and offered us a tour ride. Not an attraction ride kind. It was a personal business kind. Like uber. But, we rejected. We insisted to walk around to explore. HOWEVER, it was impossible! This place is freaking big and when we walked further down, there were construction and pathway blockage. We really can't get our way to anywhere. So we walked back to the entrance to ask for information from the counter. It was already damn hot in the afternoon and I was like sweating crazily with my sunburnt from Japan still. We talked to the counter and realised we really can't walk our way around this place without a car. AND the uncle appeared again, offering us the ride, at TWD 200. Ok, for TWD 200 for a ride to all the places and stop over for photos seemed reasonable. So hop on as we go on his car.  These were the places that we managed to stopover for some photos. There were much to began with actually because I was half sian already to be taking photos with the so called "nice background"

 

See. LOL. 

Look at the sun kissed difference.

At the end of the ride, we were supposed to pay the uncle. Initially we thought we only have to pay after the ride seem legit. BUT BUT! The uncle asked us for TWD500! Excuse me, isn't it suppose to be TWD200? I was pissed already. I told the uncle, didn't you say TWD200? How come it became TWD500? I mean even we heard it wrongly and it was TWD200 EACH, it still should came up to TWD400. So where did the extra TWD100 came from? For the service that you offered to help us take picture?? I know TWD100 is like just 5 bucks or so for us but, please, don't try to cheat us this way. Even a buck is still cheating, not that we can't afford to pay. So I argued with the uncle and what thick-skinned words came out from his mouth: "uncle won't cheat you de, uncle so old, the rate here is like that de." WHAT THE FUCK. Don't use your age to bully us tourists. I hate it when they take advantage of their old age and cheat us. My sister is softhearted and didn't really wanted to argue, so in the end we gave in to the TWD500. Seriously pissed. And by the time we left the place, it was actually evening already. So, we were only left with heading to the night markets. 

So cute right, we saw this in the Metro train station of where the night markets are.

One more!

Anyway, before I continue, I'd like to mention one thing. After we booked our tickets and hotels and everything, an incident happened at Kaohsiung. Remember the gas explosion at Kaohsiung? Yes. When we knew of this, I was talking to my sister on whether we need to change our plan abit because we actually were gonna spend days in Kaohsiung. But our aunt reassured us that our hotel and the area was not affected so should not be a problem. So we went ahead with our original plan. But, these night markets that I am about to mention, were the affected areas. When we walked towards the night market, we couldn't help but noticed it was very very quiet. 凱旋夜市 is the largest night market in Kaohsiung. It should be very crowded and lively. But it was not when we were there.

We reached quite early at around 5 plus and alot stalls ain't opened yet. Bought this drink in this cute packaging. Yes, you drink straight from the plastic bag. 

Even into the night, the night market is very quiet, and many stalls were not opened. The friendly stall aunties would tell us they were affected by the incident and many decided not to open the stalls knowing that they wont have much business. And because of this, the prices here are slightly lower than normal night markets. My sister caught this game that interest her and she went to try.

Yup. It looked like this. Sorry I didn't take any photos because we were too focus on playing this game. First, the stall auntie would demo in front of you on how to make this bottle stand up. If you make the bottle stand upright, you get the big soft toy. Sounds simple hur. The auntie even teach you how to do so. So we tried. And it was addictive. You would want to try again and again because its free. Unless you drop the bottle off the wooden platform. TWD100 for dropping off the platform. Sound better? You just have to make sure you don't drop the bottle off that platform and you get to try till you succeed. BUT, no it is not that simple. I stopped at TWD700 and my crazy sister spent a whopping TWD1500? ON THIS GAME. LOL. and we didn't get any soft toy. LMAO. We gave up and went with basketball and guns. My sister can be a marksmen. Cause she shoot all the balloon and won a little stitch for me. So I tried basketball and got her some funny toy. LOL. There is another night market just beside, or is it linked; its 金鑽夜市. Really a big night market but pity the effect it made for the night market because of the incident. There weren't much for us there already so we headed back early. And this ended Day 7 of the trip. Last day in Kaohsiung next!

A new life, soon...

This is definitely not a failed post with blurry photo. This is in fact, what it is from the eyes of a girl, me. That's right. Me. Many may not understand or think I am exaggerating, like WHAT RUBBISH ARE YOU TALKING, HOW CAN YOU SEE THINGS LIKE THIS?! But no I am not, this is really what I see, without my specs or contact lens. Yes, almost blind. In the day, I still can see much better than this, like more colors and not just those bright colors. But when night falls, crap I am a blind mouse without my visual aids. Worst, I have night blindness, even with my visual aids, I can't see the seats in cinemas. I can't walk my way around the house without banging into tables and chairs until I switch on the lights at night. A degree of 1000 plus for both eyes, imagine that. 

When I first heard of lasik from my cousin who did it many years back, I wanted to do as well. But at that point of time, I was only 18. Not the age to do any surgery yet. The way my cousin describe it was scary too, like " they will clamp your eyes open, and you will watch the blade go very near towards your eyes and cut your cornea, without any pain." So I gave up the idea first; I have to wait till 21 years old anyway. So now, at the age of 24, I decide to start a new life. I decided to do it! A very big whole in the pocket no doubt, I was hesitating to do it or not but I thought, money can be earned back, my vision is more important. So yes, I have booked my appointment on Monday 13 April, finally! Will share more when I am done with my surgery about the procedure and cost. Till then, wish me luck!    

Japan/Taiwan - Day 6

To one of my favourite country now! I have been to Taiwan for a couple of times. This was my third time already. The first time was with my sister (yes, again) in 2011. We went there for 9 days in during March where it was still abit cooling. The second time was in 2013. So you can expect this Taiwan itinerary to be much more relax than Japan and my previous Taiwan trip. Especially for Taipei, we practically didn't plan anything for us. It was really a free and easy for Taipei. Flying off to Kaohsiung by Peach airline at 1130am, so we reach Kaohsiung at around 2pm. We applied the youth travel card at the airport because there are discounts for certain tourist attraction places, so remember to go get the card! 

Off we go to our hotel, we actually booked the hotel through Expedia because my sister found the place and she said it was pretty cheap as well. Didn't stay very far from the airport, it was just a 12 mins train ride from 高雄國際機場站至三多商圈站. This is the detail for the hotel that we stayed in Kaohsiung:

Each Family 家家小屋

36F-6, 21, Xinguang Rd., Qianzhen Dist.

Kaohsiung 80661 Taiwan 

It is actually just 5 mins walking distance from the station, so pretty much accessible and there is family mart below! The better! Taiwan family mart also has many variety of ready food. So, for 3 nights, we paid $200 for the room which is cheap, considering that the room is actually not bad. Initially I was quite skeptical about my sister's choice because the web has not much information and I always like to believe that pictures are deceiving even in expedia or airbnb. I mean it is to attract people to buy and it is not exactly too wrong to shoot in a certain angle to portrait a bigger and wider room but still, you know.. anyway I didn't say this hotel was no good, in fact it was really nice and comfy. 

Taken by a camera, the hotel that we stayed.

It has a balcony and we actually stayed quite high level. Cant remember what level thou

pardon for the messiness. I was really very tired by then.

They got a small kitchen in the room ok! And a washing machine.

There. This is taken by my wide angle camera. Look bigger right the room?

The small kitchen. Spot the washing machine! 

The corridor.

It doesn't really look like a hotel to me. More like an apartment because it is like a tall building with rooms and doors like these. But it was really a nice room with that price. Probably couldn't get this price with such room anywhere else. So we head over to 高雄火車站 because our only plan in the itinerary is to visit this maid cafe nearby. There's a night market around also.

out from 高雄火車站 

月讀女僕咖啡高雄店

營業時間：周日12:00~21:30

地址：高雄市.建國2路.259號

Walkable distance from the station so just look for the street name and you probably can spot the cafe.

Tbere you go, the cafe looks like this from the outside.

interior of the cafe. These are ornament on our table actually.

Spot me at the background with burnt skin. LOL

One of the staff interacting with the guests

my sister's dessert

The food here are actually not that expensive, pretty cheap I would say. I think food in Taiwan is generally cheap as a whole. That's why I always like to come to Taiwan because you can eat alot of food and won't burst your pocket! The staff in cosplay uniform would interact with you, try to open a conversation with you which one or two of the staff failed with us upon knowing we are from Singapore and didn't know what to continue with. Only one staff who did study awhile in Singapore could manage to chat more with us and also introduce us more cafes like these. We weren't here for those "maid" staff like most guys would so it doesn't really bother us whether or not there are interaction. The cafe itself has a nice ambience I would say, but a little dark thou. As it was a late lunch for us, and we really didn't have anything on plan so we head over to the night market to see if we can do some shopping before we attack the food. 瑞豐夜市 is located at 高雄車站巨蛋站 1號出口 and it is said to be one of the famous night market in Kaohsiung, and is one of the newest (I think?) 

There we are!

Taiwan night market games are always very tempting. look at those soft toys. damn cute right. LOL. But not as easy ok.

We ended our day with some food snacking and a local street band performing outside the station which was quite nice actually. We stopped to listen to a few songs and finished up the food on hand before heading back to the hotel. A very short day spent and because we were quite tired at the end of the day as well with the early flight and travelling. I think we left the night market around 10? Watch out for day 7 with a post that we met scammers!