Ever wonder what it would be like to have laser surgery to correct your vision? Like millions of other people around the world, I used to wake up practically blind in the morning. Now, thanks to LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) surgery, when I open my eyes each morning, I can actually read the alarm clock.

For years, I considered undergoing vision correcting laser surgery. But for one reason or another, mostly fear and cost, I kept postponing any surgery. What pushed me over was not some surprise inheritance or streak of bravery, but a life altering event: my eyes stopped tolerating contact lenses. I was stuck wearing glasses. In one inspired moment, I decided that I would undergo laser surgery.

Since surgical success is most definitely not guaranteed, I was extremely anxious about the procedure, particularly at my pre-operative checkup. During my pre-operative checkup, my doctor took measurements of my eyes, gave me eye drops to use twice daily on the day prior to surgery, and handed me pre-operative instructions: Don't wear any eye make-up. Don't wear contact lenses for the 3 days prior to surgery. Make arrangements for someone to drive me home after the surgery.

The consent form my doctor handed to me during the pre-operative check was a laundry list of complications that could result from LASIK surgery. I was warned that the laser could malfunction, possibly making my vision worse; or, instead of making a flap in my cornea, the laser could cut off an entire portion of the central cornea, possibly resulting in the loss of my central cornea. Irregular healing of the flap in my cornea could result in a distorted vision which might not be correctable by either glasses or contact lenses. Complications could result in total blindness and even loss of my eye.

On the day of my surgery, I was extremely anxious, bordering on panic. I could hardly eat, which is very unusual for me. What if I still needed glasses after the surgery, or even worse, ended up blind? My procedure began with a corneal topography photograph (a computerized map of my cornea). To get this picture taken, I had to stare, without blinking, as this machine made funky lights and patterns. It was a weird psychedelic experience!

Next, a technician gave me a "goody" bag with post-operative accoutrements and a myriad of post-operative instructions. Following surgery, I had to place two different drops in my eyes four times a day for three days following

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