LASIK : Patient Experiences
A Memorable Christmas Present From One Sister to Another
And the Winner Is . . . Jane Braxton Williams! Jane Braxton Williams, right, views a framed copy of her essay that won LASIK vision correction surgery for her sister Kim, at left.For all of her days, Kim Braxton will remember Christmastime, 2000, with unbridled joy. It was the time when she received the gift of perfect vision, first from her sister, Jane, and then from Dr. Dwight Perry of North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat.
Jane, at first prompted and then prodded by her sister, submitted the winning entry in a contest to receive LASIK vision correction surgery without charge, in return for serving as a spokesperson for Dr. Perry. "At my urging, both of my parents and my brothers submitted essays, and of course I did, as well. And I kept after Jane to do the same. The final day for entries, she finally sat down and in 15 minutes of writing gave me the most wonderful gift of my life's sharp, clear, uncorrected vision after more than 30 years of being totally dependent on glasses or contacts."
As is true with all patients, Kim Braxton found the LASIK procedure to be relatively simple and pain-free. "Dr. Perry completed the procedure on both eyes within a matter of minutes," she remembers. "The evening following the procedure, I went with my parents to a motel in Durham. My eyes were shielded from the light, but I could still see quite well. At the motel, I took a nap for several hours, watched TV without glasses, and began calling everyone I know to tell them the wonderful news. The next morning I went for my check-up with Dr. Perry. I tested at 20:40 in each eye, and 20:30 when the eyes were tested together. A week later, my vision improved to 20:30. Now it is a perfect 20:20." Now 41 and a resident of Tarboro, Ms. Braxton works as a nurse's aide in the local hospital and will begin her studies to become a registered nurse this fall. "It will be wonderful to do all of this without relying on glasses or contacts", she says. "I may even go back to water-skiing, which I loved as a kid but which I found impossible to do with either glasses or contacts. Every day I realize that my new vision is opening up doors and opportunities, and I love it."
The LASIK procedure is for my sister. She has been wearing contacts for over 20 years. I would like to win this procedure as a Christmas present from Santa Claus (her two brothers and sister). She has always been there for us through thick and thin. Recently, my sister has been having trouble wearing her contacts. Her doctor shays her eyes are allergic to her contacts. She has tried many kinds of contacts, even the new updated contacts. But, the same thing happens time and time again. Her eyes get red and puffy and then back to the glasses she goes.
You probably have many of the same sappy stories, but this one is different. My sister is 10 years older than I am and has never married. She has taken care of me since I can remember. She changed my diapers, fed me and put me to sleep when I was a baby. All throughout my life she has surprised me and bought me gifts, taken me to the movies, etc. For once I would like to surprise her with something she would never be able to afford. I hope to make this the best Christmas ever for her.
Jane Braxton Williams
