Hello again! When I left off on my last post, I was just heading home from the hospital after having cataract surgery on my left eye. The first chapter of my journey was complete, but the story of my recovery and the second procedure on my right eye was just beginning. I’m excited to share how it all unfolded.

The recovery for my left eye was, thankfully, very uneventful. The strangest part was simply getting used to my new vision. For years, I had seen the world through a blurry lens due to a significant astigmatism. Suddenly, that eye could see clearly. The new Toric IOL (intraocular lens) was designed to correct that astigmatism, and it did its job beautifully. While there's still a very slight astigmatism left, the difference was night and day.

At the time, my right eye—my dominant eye—hadn't been operated on yet, so my vision felt somewhat balanced between the two. Because I rely so heavily on my right eye, the dramatic improvement in my left wasn't as immediately noticeable in my day-to-day life.

A week later, I had my follow-up appointment. The doctor performed a few tests, including that funny one where they puff air into your eye to check your blink reflex. They were very happy with my progress, which was a huge relief. I did notice some new visual quirks, like seeing halos around lights and occasionally catching a glimpse of the edge of my new lens when the light hit it just right.

Life during those first couple of weeks was a careful balance. I had two weeks of school to attend, and while I took great care of my eye, I had to sit on the sidelines during water activities with the kids. It was a small price to pay, and I still enjoyed watching everyone have fun. Mostly, I relaxed and listened to a lot of audiobooks.

At the end of the month, it was time for my right eye. The process was very similar to the first, but more streamlined. I didn't need to go through the extensive pre-op tests again, which I assume is because they were already done or because this eye was receiving a standard IOL, not a specialized Toric one like my left.

The day before surgery, I went in for eye drops and dilation. And yes, I got to order my own food again, which still felt like a strange luxury in a hospital setting!

My surgery was scheduled for around 10:00 AM the next day. I was fourth on a list of about twelve patients, so things moved quickly. This experience, however, felt completely different. Even though the procedure itself was only seven minutes long—compared to twenty minutes for my left eye—it felt like an eternity. Because this was my dominant eye, the eye I’ve always relied on to see everything, I was acutely aware of everything happening. I couldn't "zone out" like I did the first time. I could see all the instruments and movements, which was a fascinating but intense experience.

Before I knew it, it was over. I was back in my room, resting. The doctors checked in, confirmed the surgery was another success, and by 10:00 AM the next morning, I was heading home with a new set of eye drops to use for the next month.

This is where things got really interesting. With both eyes now corrected, the world looks completely different. The initial adjustment was a bit challenging. The glare from lights at night was intense, so I bought a pair of yellow-tinted glasses which helped immensely for the first week. The sun is also incredibly bright now, so sunglasses and a visor are my new best friends.

But the trade-off is more than worth it. Colors are breathtakingly vivid. White is the whitest white I have ever seen. My right eye’s vision is now even better than my left, and the clarity is just stunning.

I’m writing this about three weeks after my second surgery, and I’m still in an adjustment period. I still see some halos and the curved edges of the lenses from time to time, but I’m told this will fade. Car headlights are still a bit bothersome, but streetlights no longer pose a problem, and I don't need to keep my house dimly lit anymore.

My eyes are slowly learning to work together as a team. This means that focusing on things up close, like typing this blog post, can be a little blurry. My brain is still figuring out how to process all this new, clear information, and that’s expected to continue for another month or so.

Through all of this, I feel incredibly lucky. I haven’t had any issues with itchiness or dryness; my eyes feel perfectly normal and hydrated, which I’m told might be a benefit of being younger. I heard stories from older patients who experience dryness, but honestly, everyone I met at the hospital seemed to be having a positive experience.

I feel like I found the right doctor at the perfect time. This is something I have been looking forward to for the last 30 years, and I am filled with gratitude to the universe for helping me find the time and the means to do something so transformative for myself. I’m grateful that everything has worked out so well, and I’m looking forward to a future that is clearer and brighter in every possible way.