Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff

It was discomfort more than pain, but the recovery period was pretty long. Doctors will usually schedule the surgery on a Thursday to minimize the time off work. I couldn't do anything over the weekend; and it was hard to see to the point where I couldn't drive. On the Monday after, I could drive, but only in familiar roads where I didn't have to read street signs. It was about a month before I could read street signs during the day. Maybe two months before I had reliable night vision (again, using street sign reading as the measure). My eyes were really dry up to that point; the doctor will usually tell you to take eye drops, and it's best if you use them religiously.

After two months, the worst was well over. I had to enlarge the print on my computer screen for three or four months. After six months, my vision was pretty much great. There are small creeping improvements for a couple years after the surgery; the doctors will usually aim for a slight over correction knowing that in the following years the eyes tend to slip back towards the original correction.

Now, don't need glasses at all, though I have a pair since my eyes are very slightly far sighted now. Those glasses generally stay in my bag unless I am at the computer too long. Traveling is so much easier, especially flying. I was surprised how easily I slipped the habits of taking out and putting in contacts, though the habit of reaching for my glasses after waking took over a year to get over. I had no idea how much energy was going into my contacts and my eyes in general until I didn't have to do it anymore. It was a total life changer.

I should say I think the recovery depends a little on the correction. I was going from -5.5 and -6.0, which means I was right on the edge of being acceptable for surgery given my cornea thickness. Part of my recovery too was getting my brain to stop correcting for my former astigmatism. My recovery was pretty long, but because it is permanent, well worth it.