Lifestyle

By: Chris Kowalczyk

For those who follow our blog, you know. For those who have been to our facility, you know. For everyone that works here, if you don’t know by now, well then we have a problem! But for those who don’t know, some of the biggest news to come out of Ophthalmic Consultant Centres Inc. is that we are now offering Lasik surgery! Of course, this isn’t just any Lasik procedure, this is the LASIK procedure! A quick and brief background: LASIK stems from Europe and it is the most advanced, effective, accurate, and fastest form of vision correction. Although it is being used in the U.S., we are the first to provide it in Canada! If you wish to know more, I highly recommend reading our previous blog post titled, LASIK: OCC’s Newest Addition!, as this will give you a better understanding about LASIK and all that is associated with it. At the same time, if you’re that interested, why not take it one step further and book a consultation with us at OCC LASIK today! In any regard, this news is very exciting for us and it should be for you too! Although I have touched on LASIK and have boasted about the procedure being exceptional, I have titled this blog post as ‘Lifestyle’ for a reason and I want to share my perspective with you on all things LASIK.

As I said, in our previous post we provide insight as to what takes place with LASIK. We touch on a lot of things such as the procedure, what is used for it, if you are eligible, as well as how it can affect your lifestyle. I believe the ladder is what attracts most people to at least investigate the possibilities of getting vision correction surgery. I can say that because I include myself in that lengthy list. I am the type of person that will try to be as active as I know how to be. I’ve played competitive hockey and lacrosse my entire life, I try to pick up a golf club as much as I can, and don’t shy away from a friendly game of racquetball or squash. To be able to maintain this lifestyle free and clear of glasses and contacts, would be more than refreshing. I would be thrilled to not have to pop in my contacts before I wanted to do something active! But that is really just the beginning. When the term ‘active lifestyle’ is being used, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be playing some type of high level sport or something extreme. It can really be anything you want it to be. If you’re on a hike, or even just simply walking down the street, being glasses or contacts free can make a world of a difference.

Personally, I envision myself benefitting from LASIK in many ways, as I’m sure you would too. I have worn glasses pretty much my entire life, but it began in grade 6. I have worn, and been completely dependent on contacts, since grade 8. Needless to say, that is enough motivation for me to want to make a change! As beneficial as contacts are and have been in my life, I would like to get rid of them one day. Maybe I’m being greedy, or selfish, and instead should be thanking the world with the fact that contacts were even created, but I won’t! I feel like I’ve done my time and I deserve this! Alright, maybe I’m getting carried away but put yourself in my situation, which I’m sure you can do fairly well, and try to understand. Life is all about the little things.

You always have to wipe your lenses!

You may not understand where I’m going with this but I think if you wear contacts or glasses, then you do. When I want to go on vacation, or go on some kind of trip, I always have to bring my contacts cleaning supplies with me. It’s something you just can’t forget. I have to make sure I have enough solution, to bring a few extra pairs just in case they rip or dry out, possibly bring extra glasses on top of the glasses I’ve already brought with me because you never know what can happen. If I’m traveling on a plane and I know it’s a long flight, I have to wear my glasses if I want to sleep because you can’t sleep with your contacts in. If I’m going camping, I need to make sure there is running water somewhere nearby so I can wash my hands to put my contacts in, which can ruin a camping experience. When I wake up in the morning, I need to have my glasses at my bedside or I would be scrambling to find them. When I go out in the rain, no matter if it’s once, twice, or 400 times, I know that I’m going to have to wipe my lenses. Making the transition from cold to hot, my glasses will fog up and again, I will have to wipe my lenses. And what is the kicker for me? Sunglasses. I either have to buy a prescription pair of sunglasses and switch back and forth between them and my regular glasses, which you cannot misplace or you will be ‘that guy’ wearing sunglasses inside of a building all day, or continue the hassle of putting your contacts in and then wearing ‘regular’ sunglasses! My list of little annoyances can go on and on because there are just so many situations you can find yourself in, but I’ll stop here.

All you need are your shades!

With LASIK, all of these problems are virtually eliminated. If I go on vacation? I bring myself and a pair of sunglasses! If I’m on a plane? I can get all the rest I need! Camping? Bring a hat! Waking up in the morning? No problem! Out in the elements? All you need to worry about is an umbrella! And of course, if it’s sunny outside, all you have to do is put your shades on! As you can tell, life becomes much easier and very convenient. People who don’t have to worry about contacts or glasses may not realize how frustrating it can be, but for ‘us,’ being able to do the ordinary, everyday things hassle free would be very satisfying!