Guest author: A patient at The Harley Street Eye Centre
Like many people, I lived with glasses and contact lenses for years. They worked fine most of the time, but deep down I always wanted the freedom of waking up and seeing clearly without them. Every time I thought about laser eye surgery, though, I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. The idea of a laser on my eyes sounded terrifying.
If you feel the same, let me reassure you. I was afraid too — and now, months later, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. This is what laser eye surgery really feels like, from the perspective of someone who has been through it.
Facing the Fear
I first started looking into laser vision correction after yet another holiday ruined by contact lenses drying out in the sun. I researched endlessly online, read about LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE, and spoke to friends who had already had the surgery. They all said the same thing: “I wish I’d done it sooner.” But I still hesitated. What if it hurt? What if something went wrong? What if I moved my eye during the laser? These fears kept me wearing contacts for years longer than I should have.The Consultation That Changed My Mind
What finally helped was booking a consultation at The Harley Street Eye Centre. I met with Mr Marwan Ghabra, the consultant who would actually be performing my surgery. That in itself gave me a huge sense of comfort — I wasn’t being assessed by one person only to meet the surgeon for the first time on the day of the procedure. Sadly, that had been my experience at other clinics I’d visited, and it left me feeling unsure. With Mr Ghabra, everything was different. He explained every detail with patience and clarity, answering all my questions and never rushing me. I learned that the procedure is quick, usually painless, and extremely safe. He also explained how the advanced lasers used at Harley Street have eye-tracking systems that follow even the tiniest movements, so the fear of “messing it up” by blinking or twitching wasn’t really a concern. I was told I was a good candidate for LASIK, which involves creating a tiny flap in the cornea, reshaping the tissue beneath with the laser, and replacing the flap. For others, LASEK or SMILE may be more suitable, depending on the shape and thickness of their corneas. Knowing that my treatment plan was tailored specifically for me — by the very surgeon who would perform the procedure — made me feel completely reassured. Click here to read more about different laser treatments on offerThe Day of Surgery
On the day itself, I was nervous, but the team were calm and kind, which helped more than I can say. After some anaesthetic drops, I was led into the treatment room. The procedure itself was astonishingly quick. For LASIK, the first step was creating the flap — I felt a little pressure, but no pain. The laser reshaping took less than a minute per eye. I could see lights and shapes, but nothing scary or sharp. In total, I spent about 15 minutes in the room. The biggest surprise? It didn’t hurt. Not at all.What It Felt Like Afterwards
Straight after surgery, my vision was already clearer, though a little hazy, like looking through a misted window. I wore protective shields that night and rested as advised. By the next morning, the haze had lifted. I remember looking out of my bedroom window and seeing details on the trees outside — individual leaves I hadn’t seen clearly without glasses in years. It brought tears to my eyes (the happy kind). In the first few weeks, my eyes felt slightly dry at times, but lubricating drops solved that. Nighttime halos and glare around lights were noticeable at first, but they faded as my brain adapted. By the one-month check-up, I barely noticed them at all.The Freedom That Followed
What surprised me most were the hidden benefits. Waking up and seeing the alarm clock clearly. Travelling without packing cases of lenses and solution. Swimming, running, and even cooking without the hassles that glasses and contacts used to bring. Friends told me I looked more confident, and they were right — I felt more confident. I no longer worried about fogged-up glasses or irritated eyes halfway through the day. The change wasn’t just in my vision, but in my whole lifestyle.Addressing the Common Fears
Looking back, the fears I had seem almost funny. If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here’s what I can tell you from first-hand experience:- “Does it hurt?” No. With anaesthetic drops, you feel pressure but no pain.
- “What if I blink or move?” The laser tracks your eye in real time — you can’t ruin it by blinking.
- “Is it safe?” Laser eye surgery has one of the highest safety records of any elective procedure. Choosing a trusted centre like Harley Street reduces risk even further.
- “Will I need glasses again?” Your eyes will still age naturally, so reading glasses may be needed later in life. But for now, I have 20/20 vision and no dependence on glasses or contacts.