I got laser eye surgery in the UK | here's what happened

Join me for laser eye surgery in the UK - I'm terrified!

After wearing glasses full-time for years, I felt like it was time to learn more about laser eye surgery in the UK - and I want to share my ENTIRE experience!

0:00 laser eye??
1:11 my details
2:29 is laser eye surgery cost effective?
2:42 is laser eye surgery permanent?
3:18 initial consultation - optical express
6:42 initial consultation - london vision clinic
9:25 how much did it cost?
10:28 surgery consultation
15:45 day of surgery
17:02 what happened during my SMILE surgery
30:59 day 1 post-op
33:04 the first week sucked
38:04 would I recommend laser eye surgery?
38:51 my biggest side effects
41:36 biggest laser eye myths
42:29 my top laser eye tips
45:34 what they don't tell you...
48:06 what are things like now?
48:58 what happens next?

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FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE

Hey! I'm Alanna - a thirty-something documenting my life as a Canadian living in England.

I share the ups and downs of an expat living abroad and what it's really like living in the UK. It's not always easy, but there's been so many wonderful experiences, too. I post a Youtube video every Tuesday plus an additional video every Saturday on my Patreon account. I also livestream every Wednesday and Sunday at 5:30pm GMT/BST on Twitch.

Alanna x

[nigelcox]

Wow Alanna, that was a masterclass in honest, emotional and above all ‘keeping it real’ broadcasting. You describe the fear and mental struggle so well - exactly the thoughts I would have too. Thank you so much… I hope others contemplating this surgery watch your video and gain a lot from it. Well done.
Out of curiosity, I wonder how your experience differed from that of your parents, when this kind of treatment was in it’s relative infancy, and I guess there weren’t so many overwhelmingly positive results accumulated - more faith must have been required.
… and thanks to your partner for his unending support - we appreciate it on behalf of our friend Alanna. Cheers!

[jacquesvandenberg]

Wow, I also had laser eye surgery around 15 years ago and it was life-changing! Enjoy your glasses-free life going forward 😊

[dodgydioramas]

When you were telling us how terrified you were just before the surgery I've never wanted to give someone a hug so much and I'm Autistic so I don't do that sort of thing.

[stuartlong]

Wow Alanna!! Just the most fantastic video! As a glasses wearer since the age of 8 (short sight), I salute your level of bravery. I'm too old for it to matter anymore but I would definitely have it done if I were still your age. You also had exactly the same what ifs and feelings as I could imagine having. Like many commenters, your description of the train ride home got me teary as well - just the overwhelming emotional relief and outpouring. Thank you so so much for this - your best ever video.

[anekarice]

I can definitely relate to the sense of vulnerability when not wearing glasses / contact lenses. I used to feel like I was living in a world that extended only a few inches from my face.

Getting eye surgery was one of the best things I've ever done, glad you're happy with it!

[joannecunliffe]

Oh, fabulous Alanna 😢 🥰 It's lovely to see you without glasses. You're very pretty, you know! So glad it's all gone well ♥ Jo x

[westminstergreen]

Laser surgery was one of the best decisions I ever made and I’m so glad you took the plunge too! Regarding eye deterioration I had my operation about 20 years ago. Though one eye had to be slightly adjusted shortly I’ve had no problems at all with my eyes and no obvious deterioration. Indeed, even though I’m now 68 I can still read even quite small print without reading glasses! It still amazes me when I wake every morning that I can see - I had quite bad short sight and an astigmatism. Yes, it’s expensive, but worth doing simply for quality of life.

[alanjf_bradenton_fl]

I had eye surgery here in Florida about 5 years ago, my eyes had swimmers, little globules of stuff making my vision difficult. The surgery was fine, but I was nervous all the way through it. I hate people messing with my eyes and I really had to stop myself from freaking out. My eyes are pretty good now, especially considering my age (73).

[kevinparkes]

I know what you mean about how great it is to be able to see properly. After cataract surgery I couldn't believe how much brighter and more colourful the world was. So glad to hear it's going well for you. Keep us posted.

[pcarter]

clear, concise and informative. a great piece done by you. yes it will take sometime to get used to you without glasses lol. a great recommendation for the company and surgeon, perhaps you can recoup some of the cost by selling this to them as a pr/what to expect/experience video, they would be mad not to use it. please remember to give us an update in a months time. great work thank you,

[Judgles]

Such a great video, Alanna. I'm happy it has worked out so well for you! I think you should share the video with your surgeon so he can recommend it to future patients - it will help so many people!

[LeicesterGuy]

I had laser eye surgery 2 years ago with Optical Express. My eyes were -5.75 so pretty bad before! After surgery (and a long and painful healing process) my vision is now 2 lines below 20/20 on the vision chart. It is so worth it and I would recommend it to anybody!

[fianorian]

I don't intend to have eye surgery, but that would reassure me if I was going to. I'm glad you came through it OK.

[matthewnightingale]

Thanks for sharing that. Having had cataract surgery I sort of understand what you have been through. Hope your recovery goes well.

[BBKing]

I watched this at 1.5x speed, and when you're explaining your anxiety going into surgery, I was totally feeling it quite intensely. I then slowed back to 1x speed when explaining how the surgeon spoke to you, and that calmed me down. I had sympathy anxiety and relief!

[Andy_U]

Hiya. The BEST 50 minutes of Alanna I have ever watched (and I've been here since the start). There are certain people on this platform that one just doesn't want to be/do without and YOU are one of them. Stay safe. All the best to you.

[jamesbeeching]

Due to diabetes eye disease I have had lots of eye surgery...including 2 cataracts removed and vestigigation [ sucking out gunk] so I can understand the anxiety you felt...While waiting for 2 of my surgeries 3 people actually bottled it and left the hospital!! Also my surgeon was very relaxed and played classical music while rummaging about in my eye!!

[Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

I loved this Alanna. I'm so glad that you've benefited from the procedure and that your recovery is going so well, it's great to hear. I have to use two pairs of glasses for life, or contact lens and one pair, I can't have laser eye surgery due to the conditions from which I suffer, but I'm so glad that it's work so well for you. 😊

[lips]

We watch your videos each week and this one launched without any warning, so we were really anxious that it had been a success and you were alright! I think it will take a while to get used to the new Alanna, your glasses were so key to your innocence and curiosity. We wish you every success following the surgery and look forward to what the new Alanna will bring us!

[BenHardy]

That was excellent! I've got eye surgery coming up & of course. I've watched many videos about the process but none of them were a touch on yours. Thank you so much.