As one of the Corneal and Refractive surgeons at Centre for Sight, Monday 25th February 2008 will be remembered as the day of my personal liberation - as only someone who has suffered the hindrance/restrictions of contact lens or glasses wear could ever relate to!

I have now had the complete laser vision correction patient experience. Mr Sheraz Daya, my colleague and mentor, performed IntraLASIK wavefront treatment on both eyes for me.

Having been in glasses and lenses for over 20 years, with my most recent prescription (preop) being -2.50/-0.50x160 and -2.75DS, best corrected vision of 20/15 in both eyes, I spent the last 2 excruciatingly frustrating weeks in glasses.

I arrived with eager enthusiasm on the day of my surgery, excited at the prospect of reducing/eliminating my need for glasses/contact lenses, having guided and supported many patients through the same process.

After all the usual and repetitive checks (yes even for one their own surgeons) ensuring the correct patient was having the correct treatment on the correct eyes, preoperative anaesthetic and antibiotic drops, and cleaning of my eyes, I was soon taken through to the laser room.

Having told patients hundreds of times what to expect based on repeated patients' feedback and objective examinations, I can now describe the surgery from personal experience;

As I was laid down on the bed, more anaesthetic and antibiotic drops were applied (and repeated many times throughout the procedure)

I was asked my details AGAIN - someone could get the impression that we at Centre for Sight are obsessive about patient safety!

There was a sensation of pressure but NO PAIN as the Intralase femtosecond laser was used to precisely create my the flaps in both eyes one after the other

My eyes were cleaned again (and more drops!)

The rest of the procedure was also completed one eye at a time

A sticky surgical drape was applied around my eye to keep the area sterile

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as a clip (speculum) was gently inserted to hold the eyelids open

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as the laser peformed iris recognition to ensure the correct patient and correct eye (again!)

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as my cornea was marked to help later flap repositioning

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as my flap was lifted - just moving lights that showed that my eye was being moved

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as my corneal thickness was checked under the flap to confirm the thickness of the flap created and that there was enough tissue to perform the laser treatment

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as the excimer laser reshaped my corneal tissue to effect the change in corneal power - just the flashing red light I was asked to watch

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as the flap was replaced, - I could feel the nice cool saline being used to smooth the flap back into place and immediately could tell an improvement in my vision

There was NO DISCOMFORT, NO PRESSURE, NO PAIN as the edges of the flap were dried off and secured

More drops and then the second eye was also done exactly the same way

At the end of the procedure I sat up and not only could I read the clock on the wall but could also read the writing at the bottom of the TV monitor - no wonder so many people experience tears of joy at this stage!!

Then on went my protective goggles and I was led into the recovery area for 20 minutes before my post surgery check; 20/20 comfortably in both eyes !

I then went home and slept off the effects of the mild sedative for a few hours, and when I woke up my vision was even clearer with only mild ghosting when looking directly at a point source of light. Still NO DISCOMFORT, NO PAIN

The next morning I returned for my first check up; right eye 20/12-1, left eye 20/12-2! essentially 2 lines better than 20/20 at day 1!!! Eyes white and comfortable.

Completely comfortable but aware of mild fluctuations related to the expected dryness, I am on drops every 2hours while awake this week and only continuing to get better

Although I know our results are excellent, experiencing the wonder of this procedure first hand is literally making me want to drag people off the street to have this done - this is undoubtedly the most wonderful thing I have done for myself since as far back as I can remember!!!

I will feedback more as things continue to settle, but the whole path from assessment to surgery will soon be viewable as a test-by-test step-by-step video diary on our website, www.centreforsight.com