I can’t believe it’s been nearly six years since I had laser eye surgery. I have no idea where the time has gone and I thought it might be helpful to give an Optical Express laser eye surgery review.
When I first started my laser eye surgery journey back in 2020, I was documenting and sharing every single step. The difficulty choosing who to go with, the nerves, the consultation process, the surgery itself and the recovery.
At the time, it felt like such a huge decision and in hindsight, it absolutely was. It is life changing surgery. I had spent years wearing contact lenses and hated wearing glasses. The idea of waking up and seeing clearly without needing anything was honestly something I couldn’t really imagine (except for the odd time I did accidentally fall asleep with contact lenses in, which I would not recommend).
Fast forward to July 2026, and one of the craziest things about laser eye surgery is that I barely think about it anymore.
And I actually think that says a lot.
Because the biggest sign that something has been worth it isn’t that you constantly talk about it. It’s that it becomes so normal that you forget life was ever different.
So, nearly six years later, you might be wondering:
- would I choose Optical Express again?
- would I still recommend laser eye surgery?
- how is my eyesight now?
- do I have any regrets?
And most importantly…
Was it actually worth it?
Let’s get into it!
If you haven’t read my original consultation and surgery blogs, you can find them here.
Would I choose Optical Express again?
Yes, definitely.
When you read my answers to the other questions below, this answer will probably make even more sense, but if I could go back to December 2020 knowing everything I know now, I would still choose Optical Express.
Looking back, the whole process was really smooth. From my consultation through to surgery and aftercare, I always felt well looked after. I had LASEK Eye Design, which naturally comes with a longer recovery than LASIK, and I do think recovery could have been explained a little more back then. At the time, there wasn’t as much information online about what LASEK recovery was actually like, which is one of the reasons I documented my own journey in so much detail.
The aftercare appointments gave me everything I needed, and I’ve never felt unsupported throughout the process.
A nice added bonus has been being able to share my Optical Express discount with family and friends. If you’re considering laser eye surgery and are looking for the current Optical Express discount code for £300 off, email me your first and last name to jagsjourneyblog@gmail.com.
Would I still recommend laser eye surgery?
Yes… but with a big disclaimer.
Laser eye surgery is still surgery. It isn’t something to rush into just because somebody else had a good experience.
Everyone’s eyes are different, everyone’s prescription is different and everyone’s recovery will be different too. I would always encourage anyone considering laser eye surgery to do their own research, attend a consultation and make sure they’re comfortable before making a decision.
Speaking purely from my own experience though, yes, I would absolutely recommend it.
How is my eyesight now?
This is probably the question I get asked the most and, thankfully, it’s a very easy one to answer.
My eyesight is still 20/20.
I still don’t wear glasses or contact lenses and most of the time I completely forget I even had laser eye surgery. I think that’s probably the best outcome that could’ve ever come from it.
Over the years, I have experienced the occasional burst of dry eyes, particularly during busy periods when I was working very long hours in Big 4 audit and staring at a screen all day. It’s never been anything severe and has always been manageable. At the most, it’s been the odd week or two maybe over a couple of years.
Very occasionally, if I’m particularly tired, I’ll notice a little glare from lights at night. Again, it’s very minor and not something that affects my day-to-day life or driving.
Overall, I’d say any side effects have been minimal and I feel incredibly fortunate for that.
I also wrote updates at three months and one year after surgery, which are quite interesting to read back now.
Do I have any regrets?
Honestly, no.
I’m so glad I decided to have laser eye surgery.
Since having the procedure, I’ve had my hen do, my wedding, my honeymoon and several holidays, all without needing glasses, contact lenses or worrying about not being able to see properly in the water.
Looking back, the only thing I might have changed is the timing. I had the surgery just before Big 4 busy season and I don’t think I fully appreciated how much the first few months of recovery would overlap with long days in front of a computer.
If I was doing it again, I’d probably choose a quieter time of year.
But that’s a logistical regret rather than a regret about the surgery itself.
In the grand scheme of things, I don’t regret having laser eye surgery at all.
Was it actually worth it?
For me, 100% yes.
One of the reasons I wanted to write this update is because I think five and a half years is long enough to answer that question properly.
The excitement of having laser eye surgery wears off, and life simply goes back to normal.
But that’s exactly the point.
I don’t think about my eyesight anymore.
I don’t order contact lenses.
I don’t pack solution before holidays.
I don’t panic if I’ve forgotten my glasses.
I don’t even think twice before jumping into a swimming pool.
Clear vision has simply become my normal, and that’s probably the biggest sign that laser eye surgery was worth it.
If you’re currently researching laser eye surgery, I hope sharing my journey from consultation right through to nearly six years later has helped you make a more informed decision.
As mentioned, feel free to email me with your first and last name at jagsjourneyblog@gmail.com if you did want the £300 off Optical Express referral discount code.
Good luck with your journey!
If you’re thinking about laser eye surgery, I’ve linked my entire journey here, from deciding whether to have it, through to surgery day and recovery.