A few years ago, just before COVID hit, I decided to have Lasik eye surgery.  It is a laser vision correction, a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, and hyperopia, and an actual cure for astigmatism.

Even though I didn’t need my glasses all the time, it was restrictive when it came to driving, exercising, sports, and activities.  It was even more of a hassle after having a baby who started grabbing onto things.   If you wear corrective lenses or glasses, you know the restrictions.  Do you remember the first time you tried to put in corrective lenses?

The amount of times you poke your eyeballs? Traveling and holding onto things, placing them in the wrong bag, and then trying to read the signs.  Always looking for them when needed.

We were in New Zealand and I started researching the best eye doctors in Auckland.  Once I found the Auckland Eye Institute, the process was seamless.  I am not sure if this is available through the public health system but I chose to go private.  It involved a few appointments to decide whether I was eligible for treatment or whether surgery was even possible.  

The surgeon and his team were thorough.  I was given all the information during appointments including the risks, recovery time, and how to care for myself after surgery.  I read about having dry eyes, a side effect, and a friend told me about those who have committed suicide after having the same surgery.  I read the articles and did my research before deciding for myself.

The benefits of corrected vision outweigh any risks to me.  The surgery only took ten minutes.  The cost? NZD$6100.00 is equivalent to about SAT$11,000.00 today.  The pre-operational preparation and post-operation took longer than the surgery itself and I was awake the whole time.  What they did was change the shape of my cornea to improve how the light hit the retina, thus improving vision.  

It is like replacing my eye lenses with the correct ones.  The freedom after I had it done! No more worrying about losing my specs or glasses fogging up under different temperatures.  The best one is not having to worry about glasses during beach or swimming days! I remember my younger sister losing her specs at the beach, the day before she travelled with her children.  Because they were specially created, we couldn’t get them done in Samoa on time so she travelled blind relying on her girls to guide them through the airport.  Scary!

Why am I rambling on about an eye surgery? There is a lesson here.  When we correct our vision, we see clearer and therefore have more freedom to do the things we couldn’t before.  I am not talking about just the physical eyes. Correcting our vision spiritually can have far more benefits.  Without vision, we perish.  Focus our eyes on the right things and our feet won’t stumble.  Enjoy this peaceful Sunday Samoa.