Recently I found out that I would have to replace my current prescription for eye glasses with contact lenses in order to maintain my current level of studies and extracurricular activities. In the past I had developed a medical condition from wearing contact lenses. I could either accept significant limitations to my lifestyle and career or pursue LASIK eye surgery.

A.I chose Kobe Clinic after much web-based research on available clinics in Japan, the operation itself, and possible side affects. The US embassy had a list of medical resources with English-speaking staff. All the listed clinics featuring LASIK had excellent reputations with numerous references to professional publications. After a telephone interview with each I decided on Kobe Clinic because of the many procedures performed and the extensive documentation, the price (they offered a significant student discount) and the proximity to my home (listed in order of importance).

The day of the operation was pretty much everything I was told to expect, except for the operation itself and the immediate post-operative results. I was calm until being put on the operating couch. I had memorized the procedure, but was startled when the doctor put a fixture on my eye and then used what I thought was a paint brush to poke at things. I think if I could have expected that part of the procedure I could have relaxed more for the rest of the procedure, which went entirely as expected. Perhaps taking a slightly larger dose of the pre-operative sedative would have helped.
The opportunity to rest after the operation was needed, and probably should have rested another hour before going home. The different medications had made my eyes burn and very sensitive to light. I had much difficulty walking to the station and taking the train because it was difficult to keep my eyes open. After about an hour of rest at home I could see without difficulty and without discomfort.
My first impression of my improved vision after the operation was that it was very foggy or hazy. By the end of the day I still sensed that my vision was much improved, but still quite foggy. On the evening of the third day after the operation I went for a walk and noticed problems with bright lights starring or having a noticeable corona. The haziness was reduced but there was also some difficulty seeing things in a strong shadow or contrast. These side effects were somewhat expected and have continued to diminish to the point where I hardly ever notice.
My visual acuity is now almost exactly what was projected during the pre-operative exam. Reading small print has been difficult, almost impossible at first, but has improved gradually over time.
I took digital pictures of things I saw during the first week after the operation and compared them to what I remembered seeing. Much of the haziness I had experienced was because of the weather in Ebisu and Shinjuku at that time. It might be good to recommend this to future patients.