5–6-year review after implantable contact lens surgery, including complications

I’m keeping the hospital anonymous because it seems the surgeon who operated on me is no longer there. I had thin corneas and some astigmatism, though it was not extremely severe; my vision was around -8 by contact-lens correction. I was judged unable to undergo any surgery except implantable lenses. I even consulted four hospitals, and one refused implantable-lens surgery because there was too little space inside. In the end, I was deciding between [Clinic A] (about 5.5–5.8 million won at the time) and a Haeundae hospital (discounted price 5.2 million won). [Clinic A] was the only hospital in Busan then that had toric Aqua ICL lenses, and its basic examination was extremely thorough. The Haeundae hospital offered a discount through an acquaintance. At the Haeundae hospital, I was told that even with an Aqua ICL, rotating the lens axis could improve the astigmatism somewhat, so I chose that. After surgery, I was fairly satisfied, but the astigmatism correction achieved by rotating the axis was not nearly as effective as I expected. Now I may have to consider lens removal because of complications, so I slightly regret not going to [Clinic A]..! At the time, it was the most systematic in Busan.. T_T I don’t know how it is these days..! <DURING SURGERY> I already knew that the anesthetic drops used by the ophthalmologist when I had a stye drained did not work on me. I mentioned this, and a nurse or someone said they would use something else.. But the pain was tremendous.. Cutting itself was not too bad, but from the moment they inserted the lens, unfolded it, and fixed it in place, the pain became severe.. At the end, when they cauterized it with something like a soldering iron, it hurt so much that I screamed. Because the pain was so severe, I had one eye done, went to the waiting room, took Tylenol, and then had the other eye done.. The pain was similar, so I was completely drained after surgery.. <AFTER SURGERY> There was no pain afterward. I had always slept on my side, so it was difficult only because I had to sleep on my back.. The next day, I was incredibly happy to be able to see the clock in my room with my naked eyes. My initial target corrected vision was 0.9, but it rose to 1.1–1.2, which made me very happy T_T Five to six years later, it is around 0.8–0.9, so I’m satisfied. <COMPLICATIONS> I was writing this post mainly to mention this. My dry eyes were not as severe as I expected. They were already somewhat dry, and became slightly drier after surgery, but not enough to bother me much. 1. Scar on the white of the eye The pain during the final cauterization was tremendous. I don’t know whether it was because of that, but after surgery a large brown scar-like mark appeared. I already disliked having many spots on the white of my eye, and having a large brown scar as well is unpleasant.. Strangely, it is not on both sides, only one. 2. Glare (this is an aspect that cannot be improved rather than a complication) Even before surgery, I had very severe glare. After examination, I was told it was because my pupil size was larger than some other structure, and that surgery would not correct it. The glare caused by severe astigmatism improved to some degree, but the glare remains. 3. Cell count (this is critical) ★★★★★ I recently had an ophthalmic examination and was told that the corneal cell count was decreasing faster in one eye. I don’t remember the exact number, but the cell count had decreased by about 400 over three years. If it continues at this rate and considering my current cell count, I may need implantable-lens removal surgery after a few years. (It is not merely being considered.. I may actually have to do it.) If next year’s measurement is not significantly different from now, I don’t know.. For now, the cell count is under 2,000 in both eyes. I don’t remember the exact final number.. T_T My workplace is currently in Cheongju, so I had the eye examination there, but since the condition is quite bad, I’m going to look for a specialized hospital in Seoul and get examined again. The cell count is so low that repeat surgery will probably be impossible.. T_T The eye on the side where the lens is removed would have to live with glasses or contact lenses.. I had already gotten used to life without glasses or contacts.. I was happy.. T_TT_T This is causing me enormous stress and worry..