Very common these days

The other half had it done about 8 years ago or so - up by the Finchley Road tube station. Paid about £800 an eye (mind you inflation has kicked in even though the volume is higher). Had it done in the morning, waiting around for an hour or so and then could walk out on his own (he could see) in dark glasses to the car so I could drive him home. He slept in the afternoon for a few hours, then work up and could watch some tv without glasses. You will need pain killers for a day or two

It works immediately but the vision will take a couple of weeks to stablise fully. He did not need glasses immediately after the procedure. He does have to wear reading glasses with this process; but no longer wears glasses to see distance. He swears by it and in the US, this process is very commonplace.

There is a new procedure (only one specialist that I know of in London) that will deal with long and short sightedness at the same time. Friend got this done for £2,500 an eye. Exactly the same history as the other half (she got a train and a bus from the sugery somewhere south near Brighton; all the way back to Vauxhall on her own unaided about an hour after the procedure. The difference is that she does not need reading glasses.

In the very early days, Moorfields used to put people under general anesthetic which caused more issues. Would definitely suggest a specialist and avoid Boots, Optical Express or another retailer that sells glasses.