EyeIn all the hubbub about, oh, you know, life threatening bike injuries, I haven’t mentioned much about my post-Lasik eyes.

I am very happy with the results. I’m experiencing the usual post-operative recovery side effects (I’ll talk more about those below), but I’m really pleased. I’ve had a few moments of confusion (falling asleep: “Did I forget to take my contacts out?” during dance class: “Hey, I can hang my head upside without my glasses falling off!” having sex: “OH MY GOD! I CAN SEE EVERYTHING!”) but mostly it’s just really really nice.

I can see pretty dang well. I was warned that as the eye flap heals, your vision sometimes fluctuates up and down a bit, and I’ve definitely had some moments of fluctuating down and being a bit fuzzy. (When I say “fuzzy,” I mean very slightly blurred — nothing like the “I can’t see past my nose” total non-focus of my pre-Lasik vision.) Even so, when I went in for my one-week post-operative check-up on Friday, I was able to score 20/20 on the vision test.

I’m definitely seeing the little halos around lights at night. Very minor and again: totally to be expected the first few months. And honestly? If they never went away it would still be totally worth it.

My eyes have definitely been dry, which is also to be totally expected. Last week I was putting in eye drops non-stop, especially when using the computer. The level of discomfort is pretty minor — comparable to having worn contacts for a long day. I’ve recently discovered eye gel, and that’s made a big difference this weekend. I need eye drops less frequently when the drops are really gooey. Plus, it sort of grosses my friends out.

As of Friday, I’m done with my week of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drop treatment. I’ve definitely been able to feel the effects of not using the anti-inflammatory drops. A few times a day I’ll get the sensation like there’s a tiny eyelash touching my eye, or a speck of dust beneath my eyelid. Nothing agonizing, but a reminder that I need to put in some more drops and blink blink blink.

I hope I’m conveying how teeny and predictable all these complaints are. Considering that my eye was sliced open and burnt with a laser, these side effects are totally predictable and totally no big deal. I have 20/20 vision, almost no discomfort, and am totally rocking my new life as a non-myopic. It’s pretty cool.

Oh and as for the surgery itself? Getting over the IDEA of the surgery is way way more difficult than the surgery itself. Roughly 60 seconds of no-pain but total weirdness per eye? Seriously: not that hard. I was in the operating room for less than 10 minutes. I’ve had pelvic exams that lasted longer and were more uncomfortable.

PS: I still can’t wear mascara or other eye makeup for a few more days. Once I can gussy myself up again, then the real vanity will begin.