There were lots of milestones today. I drove for the first time, I worked for the first time, and I had the bandage lenses removed. Driving was basically fine, especially since I've driven the routes I drove a thousand times. I can read most signs, but sometimes it takes a second for them to come into focus. I reduced the resolution on my work computer monitor and blew up the fonts so I would have to strain as little as possible. It's workable, but some improvement would definitely be nice. There's still a blur surrounding all the letters. I took frequent brief rest breaks as my eyes got tired.
The checkup appointment went well. First they check the distance vision on each eye with a standard eye chart. The instruction is to read the smallest line you can, but as I was reading one line, the next line would gradually sharpen enough to be read, so I ended up reading several lines. They then tested the left eye for reading, and again smaller lines would come into focus as the seconds passed. I ended up being able to read much smaller than I thought, but until the focus comes more quickly, reading itself will not be fully normal. An interesting addition is that they also test the reading eye by having you look through a shield with pinholes in it. The diffraction through a pinhole really, really reduces blur. It was nice to (briefly) see sharp text again.
The tech then took the bandage contacts out. They really stick on there, and it takes some manipulation to get them off, which hurts a little. Overall a relief, though my eyes felt a little dry and scratchy afterwards. The doctor then came in and examined each epithelium with a scope. He initially though he saw a small defect in the right eye. He had the tech put some dye in that eye and looked at again. He declared it looked not completely healed ("a little ratty" was his exact term), but there were no defects requiring any action. It ought to catch up in a day or two. The left eye had healed very well. With the lenses gone, I don't need the plastic eye shields to sleep any more, which is nice. No more human fly look.
Unfortunately the removal of the lenses has led to a small drop in vision. Not enough to restrict driving or working, though noticeable. Gradual improvements with some fluctuation should be the rule from here on. He advised holding off on night driving for a couple more days.
I had been on three medicated drops: a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, an antibiotic, and a steroid (FML). I'm now done with the first two. I'll stay on the steroid for four more months, tapering down the dose each month. I gather that the steroid slows how quickly the eye regrows. You don't want it to happen too fast or some irregularities can develop.
Artificial tears now go from every thirty minutes to as I wish for comfort. Right now I still find myself doing it every thirty minutes anyway.
Comfort: Eyes are a little tired from a day on the computer, and the removal of the lenses also led to some dryness.
Photosensitivity: as before, sunglasses outside, fine inside.
Target: Both eyes: 68 inches. Right eye: 68 inches. Left eye:56 inches. This reading was taken at the end of the day, after the lenses came out. Pretty sure it was a decent bit better this morning.
Closeup vision: Especially immediately after the lens removal, reading is a little strenuous. Still lots of blur.
Driving: First day. It's OK and seems safe enough. Holding off on night driving for now.
Working: First day. Reasonable success.
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