Corne van Dooren - (Multimedia) Designer

January 27, 2008

Last Friday, January 25th, I have had laser surgery on my eyes. It was a day I feared and looked forward to.

Obviously I was looking forward for the better vision that would be the result of the operation. I wasn't looking forward to a flap being made. A flap? Yes, a flap.

I will explain the surgery that I had, just so you know what I mean with a flap. I will also mention how you can have the surgery too, with a discount!

There are basically 4 steps in the laser eye surgery I had. First of all it is called LASIK. With the LASIK surgery a flap is made from the cornea of your eye. In Dutch that would be called 'hoornvlies'.

Your cornea has to be thick enough for the flap to be made. If your cornea isn't thick enough, you'll have to go for another type of laser surgery called LASEK.
Before the flap is made you will get a fluid in your eyes so you won't feel a thing during the operation (and the moments after it).

After the eyes are numb they roll you under a machine. This is a bit of an awkward feeling as this machine will make the flap. To do so, it has to put some pressure on your eyes. Thats an awkward feeling, but not really bad. Just weird.

When the flap is made, the surgeon lifts the flap and they place you underneath another machine. That machine is the actual laser. Lasering takes about 10 seconds for every eye. Really? Yes, it happens so very fast it makes you wanna think "That it?".

When the laser is done, the surgeon puts the flap back in its original place and you're done! The whole procedure goes very fast. Within a few minutes the whole thing is over.
Obviously I was nervous going into it - hey, its still surgery and to your eyes! But in the end all the nervousness was absolutely unnecessary.

This week I have to put fluids into my eyes about 15 times a day. One of the fluids is to heal the cornea, one to protect it from bacteria and the last one to keep the eye wet.
I had my first checkup yesterday and my vision has improved. Next week is the next checkup. Then another one in a month and one in 3 months time. After half a year the final checkup takes place and I am done.

So, if you have bad eyes or feel your vision is getting limited or gazy - make an appointment with Optical Express UK or Optical Express The Netherlands for a free consult! In the Netherlands they have a discount opportunity for both you and me. If my story has convinced you to also go to Optical Express for the surgery and you mention this to the people of Optical Express - you get a discount (and so do I). So if you are considering the operation after reading my story, go to Optical Express, mention my name and we both get a discount!

Anyway, I'm just very glad I did it. Working behind a computer screen influences your eyes. Laser surgery is a perfect solution if you feel your eyes have become worse through the screen or by any other means.

Let the healing begin!

Take care and speak soon.

January 21, 2008

Today I wish to share a weblink with you, one that will become a favorite amongst (digital) photography lovers.

My friend James has started a website where he shares knowledge on camera's, computers, digital photography and photoshop. He's even got video tutorials on Photoshop!

So everyone who wants to get started with photography and image manipulation - watch this website. Sure, the site still needs to grow in terms of content, but I think this website has an amazing potential. If you are just getting started in photography this website could even grow together with you! While you learn photography - more and more content will be available.

I think this website is definately worth a visit. And I'd keep checking it, because James may just have made an update as we speak...

Take care.

January 20, 2008

This Friday its going to happen. I'm gonna have laser surgery on my eyes. I actually planned it to be done as soon as possible so there would be little time to worry.

Unfortunately the worrying and nerves are already starting to kick in. I know its still ages till Friday, but I can't help becoming more nervous...

Maybe its because an eye surgery is pretty heavy. Well, it really isn't I've been told, but it feels pretty heavy because eyes are important. We use our eyes daily to communicate, to see, to be inspired by the things we see.

I will write an update next week with the details and how I can help you (only Dutch readers) make the same operation cheaper for you!

Anyway, I'll keep you posted. At this point I just can't wait for Friday to be over...

Take care.

January 13, 2008

What an incredible weekend it has been. I am totally done for. I feel really tired and will be out immediately when I hit my pillow in just a few moments.

The weekend may have been a bit too busy. It started on Friday when Nadine came home sick. After my excellent care she (luckily) felt much better on Saturday morning.

Saturday morning I did the usual shopping so we have something to eat this week. Then in the afternoon my eyes were examined to find out whether I can have laser-surgery on them.

On the photo on the right you can see that the black in my eye (pupil) almost totally fills up the iris. They dropped some fluid in my eyes to find out more about my eyes, with the result that almost my whole iris was filled up by the pupil!

Saturday night we had another party of Nadine's work. We had one in Rotterdam last December and now it was taking place in Den Bosch. Because we live in Den Bosch it was a home-match for us. I even met some former colleagues from Hunterskil Howard.

I actually didn't like meeting former colleagues that much. Not that I didn't like them or meeting them for who they are, more because they don't really know me. At Hunterskil I was still a kid. It was my first job and for me it was a learning experience. It was after being sacked by them that I feel I really grew both as a person and in my work.

So in that sense it was difficult to meet former colleagues, because they only know the kid I used to be. If you know what I mean. The party itself was pretty good - we were home at 03.00 so it wasn't bad at all! ;)

On Sunday we visited Nadine's sister and nephew, who were both celebrating their birthdays. After the birthdays we went for dinner with an uncle of Nadine, his daughter, Nadine's sister and her husband. It was all good! But because we had been home late the day before at some point the fatigue factor really kicked in.

It was a good weekend, but frankly I could do with another one already!

Take care.

January 9, 2008

Today I have signed a final version of a contract offered to me by thePharmacy.

It had taken some time to sign (I already work there since November 2007), because I couldn't decide on how many hours I'd want to work a week. In the end it became 36 hours a week.

This way I get to combine a great job and keep my own company alive a couple of hours a week.

I'm pleased to have signed. ThePharmacy is a cool company working on rich content websites. So its also a good challenge - because my Flash knowledge is basic and will definately grow at thePharmacy.

Speak to you soon. All the best.

January 6, 2008

Pfew, what a hectic time to start the new year! We've been out all the time. We've been to one of Nadine's uncles who turned 50 this weekend.
Then, the day after (so thats today), we visited my grandparents because my grandma was celebrating her 84th birthday! An amazing feat. I hope I get that far.

Next weekend will be busy too. On Saturday I am getting an extensive eye-test. The test will take two hours and they will examine whether my eyes can be lasered and how much it would cost me. I am both excited and a bit afraid of it...

On Sunday Nadine's sister and littlest nephew are celebrating their birthdays. What a busy, yet fun, start of the year!

Oh yeah, we have also been to the ice sculptures in Eindhoven, just before new year (see little image with this message). It was okay, but not great. I feel the details get less every year, while the price goes up.

Don't get me wrong, it was still amazing to see what people can do to ice - but we have seen them do better. I don't really mind a higher price, but I expect to see more detail for it.

And last of all the person who hit my (parked) car earlier this week is very nice and we are sorting it out in great fashion.
Update 13-01-2008: Nope, he isn't. After initially being nice and helpful he is now not calling me back anymore. I will make work of it through insurance soon!

So my year is getting better already...

All the best, speak soon!

January 3, 2008

First of all I am wishing you all the very best for 2008! Well, you know, the usual stuff: may dreams come true this year!

My start to 2008 definately is a tough one. Today someone marked my car with the paint from her car. Yes, she hit it.

The damage isn't too bad actually, but I am thinking of getting it fixed. My car is still pretty new and in very good shape, so the damage done to it today is a bummer.

Anyway, I hope me and the lady can quickly find a solution for my damaged car.

I hope you guys had a great new year's party and have started the new year on a high... Nope, not high, ON a high... Ah, forget it... ;)

All the best for 2008!

Corne van Dooren, Multimedia Designer