I had it done using Lasik in September 1999. I had both eyes done same day one after the other.
What I know about the procedures that are available...
All procedures are designed to take you further than you need to go so that the eyes heal naturally to the correct point.
RK Refractive Keratectomy -
This was what the Russian Ship used to do touring the world. Using a scalpel the surgeon makes incisions in the around the eye. Basically re-shapes the cornea to refract the light differently. Don't tend to hear of this anymore. One guy I know his wife had it and had no problems but was very sore after surgery.
PRK - Photorefractive Keratectomy
This is the first procedure that used the Excimer Laser. Basically they clamp your eye open. Scrape away or dissolve the protective corneal layer (which grows back in 3 to 6 months). The laser then reshapes the cornea. This is the first type of procedure that was used by Optimax and they were still recommending it to some recently as a cheaper option. The healing time varies - normally they do each eye three months apart although I know someone who had both eyes done same day in Italy. He had a long recovery time - first two weeks were a nightmare - but ok after that. Another guy his wife had it and had about a week of work for each eye.
Lasik. - Also known as the cut & shut
Lasik uses the same procedure as PRK but with one major difference. The surgeon uses a micro-keratome to create a corneal flap which is lifted to permit the application of the laser. The flap is then repositioned and instead of waiting for a few months for it to re-grow it only has to seal the micro cut.
This is the procedure I had and I had mine down in Montreal, Canada. I was there for a friends wedding at the time and a lot of my friends had had it done by the same surgeon. The reason I chose this surgeon was that he gives lectures all over the world and is a consultant to the Canadian authorities on the subject.
My operation was at around 2pm - I was back in bed at the hotel by 4pm, with my eyes feeling a bit gritty, and went to sleep. I was awoken at 7.15 that night by my m8 who asked how my eyes were. I proceeded to test my eyes by telling him the time on the clock in the other room of the suite we were staying in. That night I continued to pee him off by reading the menus on other tables.
I paid around £900 in total for the surgery by the time it was all converted by Barclay card. Optimax in the UK were offering Lasik at £800 per eye plus you had to have an eye done per day, with a consultation the next day after surgery, which meant that with travel & hotels in London you were looking at around £2000. A friend of mine had his done by Optimax in 2002 and he paid £1600 total and they did both the same day.
The sensation of no glasses or contacts is amazing. Once you get used to the different lighting types again - when you first go into fluorescent tubes for instance can be weird (for me I thought I was blind for about 10 minutes!!) I've not had any issues but there are two big problems with this -
1. For about 6 months after the surgery you keep poking yourself in the eye as you try to push your glasses back your nose!
2. You have an urge to buy designer sunglasses - thus undoing the need to not wear them!!
I can recommend the Canadian route - the Company name is Acura Laser - The Surgeon is Dr Jean-Pierre Chartrand. Telephone number was 001 514 694 6260 but may have changed. Mention Spike sent you - could be worth getting a quote for it - A flight to Montreal is about £230 and the accomodation is cheap. Let me know if you think of going there for it I may even be out there at the same time - so I can show you round. Need to know anymore let me know - I did have a video somewhere - I'll have a look for it.