40 Years, Active, Nearsighted, Astigmatism. New York, NY

Vision has become more stable, distance vision is honing in and becoming clearer. I can feel the swelling has gone down or dissipated. It really took a week to feel normal again. I walked around in a sense of amazement. Rust on steel has become a new fascination because I can now see it. I sense I'm getting to a stage whereby I'll forget I even had the operation but I still search around for my glasses in the morning even through I don't actually need them. I use the tear drops still but not because I need to, I just feel I should keep my eyes lubricated as I heal.

The procedure itself was a breeze. Recovery was fine also. My reading is phenomenal now, prior I'd get headaches, tired and give up. Looking at my phone & computer prior the treatment lead to all sorts of neck & shoulder problems. I'd know I'd be doing it, I'd 'crane' my neck into an awkward position to read text on my phone and PC screen. As much as I'd tried to stop doing it, it would continue to occur. My own theory that I was fighting my own astigmatism in attempting to get clear text with the letters not merging on the page. Glasses helped but I always knew that they could not be perfect. The frames would move slightly, get dirty and lose some of their value in trying to correct the astigmatism. People who say lasik can only be the same glasses should consider this element. Glasses can only be correct if 100% clean and centered perfectly on the face, which is never.

I also had very poor depth perception or 3D. My right eye was a little 'lazy' not noticeably but it was there and along with the astigmatism caused me to see things on a flat plane. I knew where objects were placed but would never see the distance between them. That has now been corrected. I see 3D and its a very surell experience!

Distance is not perfect yet but I was told prior to the procedure that it will come into focus in a few weeks. Doesn't concern me greatly as I can see after a few days it's getting better. I can literally hear my brain processing as it now tries to work out the new vision after so many years with poor visuals.

The procedure was in New York City & I can only recommend the clinic I went to. They were phenomenal from start to finish and they have stayed in touch with me since the procedure to make sure I'm travelling well. I used to fly business and first class for work on major airlines a couple years ago. I can only liken the clinic as a flying first class, it was almost a pleasurable experience! My top tips is to do the surgery without shoes on. I just lay there and started dreaming. My laser time was on the long side, 50 seconds+, so I just drifted off and thought about others things other than the being lasered! Another tip is to put your post treatment drops in the fridge, just feels nicer when they hit the eye cold.

Final side effect that has been nice is I no longer have the 'pained' squint look on my face. In photographs I'd always notice I'd look half tense which was my eyes and facial muscles fighting to look clear. That disappeared on day two and has been noted by people who didn't even know I had lasik, they said I look so relaxed without glasses!

Was it all worth it? Absolutely. Be realistic, recovery takes time, make sure your a good candidate and find a clinic who cares about your results.