Laser Eye Surgery Testimonials

I was 36 years old when I decided to get laser surgery, and had been wearing glasses for the past 21 years. I was frustrated with not being able to see properly. I was near sighted with -4.25 in each eye, did not like the time and hassle of contacts, and never seemed to find the “right” pair of glasses for my face.

My surgery occurred late last summer and since then I have never looked back. Colours are vibrant and everything is so much clearer. Little details that I did not know existed I can see. I have even taken up photography as everything looks so good. I don’t have to deal with the glare from the sun onto my glasses when I drive, and I can wear sunglasses. I don’t have to worry about not being able to see when I come in from the cold. When I wake up, I don’t have to put glasses on to see why I am waking up in the middle of night and disturb my sleep. This past summer even my golf game improved. Not because I took lessons, or got new clubs, but because I could see where the ball needed to go before hitting it. It may seem miniscule to some, but I sure liked taking that restriction 21 off of my drivers license as well as it has always been there.

Overall the experience was sensational. All of the staff at KLV made me feel very comfortable from the moment I arrived to moment I left. Dr. Chambers is a very good surgeon and was excellent at explaining the procedure and the process before during and after the surgery.

Dan Gagne, Facilities Project Coordinator
Interior Health, Kelowna, BC

I have worn glasses since my teen years, I've always needed them to see anything at a distance. Although my glasses weren't the "coke bottle" variety, they were necessary for me to obtain a driver's license and to get into the R.C.M.P. I fully realize that any sight at all is a gift, and being able to have it corrected with lenses is also a perk but, now that I've had had the laser surgery it is truly amazing! Although I am now a retired Member and a retired fishing guide, I still remain extremely active in just about any and all outdoor activities. From fishing to hunting, quading and mountain sledding, I participate in activities that all require extremely good eyesight. With glasses it was always a chore when they would fog up (and sometimes dangerous!) or get knocked off but now, I am free of them and it has made my life totally different! I did some research about laser eye surgery on the internet and it was testimonials from others that have been to Kelowna Laser Vision and my own optometrist that made the decision very easy as to who to go to.

The staff and Dr.s at Kelowna Laser Vision were unbelievable in the manner in which they handled my surgery, right from the first email to them to the visit right after the surgery. I can't say enough about how professional and fun they all were! The staff's excellent attitude and great sense of humor made the procedure all that much easier to go through, although I was very surprised at how quick and nonpainful it really was. My vision now is 20-15 with both eyes, the best I've had in my entire life! The only drawback to not wearing glasses now is that my grandkids don't have to clean them for me anymore! Thank you Kelowna Laser Vision for a new look at life!

Sheldon Sherman
Sicamous, BC

It really is life changing. I am fully adapted to the monovision now.
It is so great that I don’t even think about it anymore.

I chose Kelowna Laser Vision because other people I know have had great success with you and you’re located in Kelowna. I am very happy with the results. Life is way better, especially the skiing and swimming. The greatest affect the procedure has had on my life, besides the activities, is that I can wear cheap sunglasses and not worry about breaking or losing them. I was thinking about the procedure yesterday when I took my kids to the H2O centre. It was great to have no glasses on in the pool and yet be able to see so well.

I would definitely recommend Kelowna Laser Vision to friends and family and I have already done so. All the best to all of you that were so awesome with my family and I during the procedure.

Neil R. Denby, B.C.L.S.
RUNNALLS DENBY, british columbia land surveyors

Being able to drive at night and watch TV without glasses is something I thought I would never be able to do. I am looking forward to swimming and waterskiing and being able to see where I’m going. This was the best money I could have ever spent, thank you for everything.

I have had to wear glasses since I was 13 yrs old, so I’ve been wearing them for 40 years for nearsightedness.

I looked into laser surgery for about 2 years before making the decision. To me all aspects of wearing glasses were becoming a huge inconvenience and I wanted to be able to do water sports. I was one of those people who could not wear contacts and I wanted to be able to drive at night. Finally the cost for glasses, a regular pair for driving, progressives for work, and one pair for reading was a lot. In one year I lost two pair of reader’s and one pair of progressives.

I chose Kelowna Laser Vision after a conversation with a friend who had been there for a consult but unfortunately was not a candidate. That information made me feel confident that the Kelowna Laser Vision medical team would not do my surgery unless I was a good candidate. The surgeon was very reassuring and guided me through the procedure keeping my mind at ease.

The greatest change for me since the surgery has been the clarity of my vision, now everything is so clear and focused.

Gary Polmear, Building Operator City of Kelowna
Procedure June 2009

I wore glasses and contacts for 26 years. I did A LOT of research on laser eye surgery beforehand, that's why I waited decades for a process I had confidence in. I finally decided to go forward with surgery because of the long-term results.

The surgery has significantly changed my life. The FREEDOM from corrective lenses is amazing.

I wore glasses for 3 years and then switched to contacts for 25 years!! I have followed the evolution of laser eye treatment for close to twenty years. Then last year a friend of mine came to your clinic and I told him how long I had been thinking of having laser vision correction. He asked me why I hadn't done it yet and I didn't really have any good answer. I did my research on it and Kelowna Laser Vision's reputation was impeccable. So I started saving and said I'd do it in a year. I held my word ;-)

Contact lenses were a real pain both in my work environment, which is quite dusty, and when racing. I actually once lost a contact at the World Championships and since my vision was really poor before the surgery, I was unable to complete the race. So anyway, being able to perform those two activities without wearing contacts was going to be a blessing.

What I discovered 5 days after the surgery was a whole new world: not only did I see without contact lenses, I actually saw better than I ever did!!!! It was unreal, and it still is. I am amazed at all the detail I see in the trees when I look outside my window and how clear the trim is on the colorful houses of Silver Star where I live and train. I just can't believe I missed out on that for all of these years!!!

The greatest change for me now is I can play sports, go fishing, hiking and biking and not worry about a contact falling out or my glasses fogging up.

I have worn glasses and contacts since I was 12. After researching laser eye surgery for around 2 months I realized I was a perfect candidate. I went for it knowing I wouldn't have to put up with contacts or glasses anymore. I chose Kelowna Laser Vision firstly because it was close to home but more importantly because I had some family friends who had nothing but good things to say about the team there. The greatest change for me is now is I can play sports, go fishing, hiking and biking and not worry about a contact falling out or my glasses fogging up.

I would recommend KLV to anyone sick of putting up with glasses or contacts.

Mark Flanagan, RE/MAX All Pro
Fruitvale BC

I was nearsighted and wearing my glasses all the time. When I looked into laser vision correction I read a bit about it online, but my decision was based mostly on the information from the staff at Kelowna Laser Vision. After the scanning and diagnosis I found out I was a great candidate. A close friend recommended Kelowna Laser Vision to me and the free consultation encouraged me to go to the office. I had also met two other people that have had great results.

There has been such a huge change in my life since the procedure. The greatest change has been the overall freedom I have now without my glasses. I like to do things spontaneously, and when I had my glasses I always had to either make sure I had them with me, or worry about losing or breaking them. Not having to wear and worry about glasses is wonderful, but the fact that my vision is a lot better than it was with glasses, is incredible. For example, my glasses often got in the way when I was rock climbing; now there is one less thing I need to worry about on the cliff, and the view at the top is all the more rewarding with the better than 20/20 vision the laser surgery provided me. Thanks a lot!


Jamie Ihaksi,
Westbank BC, Care Aid

I started wearing glasses in grade 7 and by grade 12 I needed to wear them all the time. My prescription was about -3 on the right and -2 on the left. By university I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be wearing glasses for the rest of my life.

Eventually we decided to look into laser vision correction. My mom was very thorough in doing the research on the procedures and the various clinics. I felt really comfortable after my first consultation at Kelowna Laser Vision. The staff was so friendly and honest that it really eased my anxiety about the procedure and they were so experienced they were able to answer all of my questions. It helped my confidence knowing that some of them had also had their procedures done at Kelowna Laser Vision with the same laser. When my local optometrist also recommended Kelowna Laser Vision so it made the decision pretty easy.

There have been so many things that have changed since the surgery. For example, I have always loved sunglasses and was constantly limited by the cost of having them made into prescription. Since the surgery I can wear any sunglasses I want! I can also swim, play volleyball, play pool and do lots of other things that before were a challenge. It's also nice to have a lighter purse that isn't swamped with so many different pairs of glasses!

Lauren Bell,
Vernon

Since having Laser surgery I have a new outlook on Life!!

After using dollar store glasses for the last couple years for reading, I noticed on TV they could correct this problem with Laser surgery using a Monovision procedure. I got on the internet and tracked down Kelowna Laser Vision! Kelowna Laser Vision staff explain everything, diagnose you, send you brochures and make sure you make an informed decision.
I restore Vintage Honda Motorcycles so reading a manual then putting down the glasses to work at a distance then putting them on to work close was a pain! I had my procedure a couple of weeks ago and its amazing how much better life is.

I have a lot of friends around the half century mark that are getting ready to throw away their glasses as well. I wouldn't hesitate. Your eyes get a little worse each year and you don't know what you're missing! After laser surgery "Life is good!!" You can read the newspaper, phone book, all the things you used to when you were younger. They have a first class facility and a great team of people. I highly recommend Kelowna Laser Vision.

Larry Beebe,
Erickson, BC

“Enough was Enough”

I wore glasses for about 45 years and with working in the outdoors it was really frustrating, especially when it came time to get bifocals. I have several friends who have had the monovision procedure and they have done really well. My family doctor recommended Kelowna Laser Vision because of their experience and excellent results. The biggest change for me has been the sharpness and clarity of everything I see as well as the colours. It's quite amazing.

I love going on holidays and not packing extra solution, contacts and glasses!

I've worn glasses and contacts for 15 years, almost half of my life!

I wanted freedom from contact lenses. I read about laser vision correction online and talked to others whom had it done in Kelowna.

My good friend had his surgery at Kelowna Laser Vision and had excellent reviews about the experience. There have been many wonderful things about having the procedure but most of all I love going on holidays and not packing extra solution, contacts and glasses.

Jenny Pearson,
Armstrong

"Since having my eyes done, I have been most excited about being free of dry, tired eyes, at the end of the day."

I wore glasses and contacts with a prescription of 4.50 for 13 years and finally began researching laser eye surgery in the Okanagan and Vancouver. I decided to get the surgery after my husband had it done at Kelowna Laser Vision two years earlier. He was very excited to see so clearly immediately after the LASIK procedure and he had a speedy recovery. He has always been extremely pleased he had it done and recommends it to friends and family all the time. He also began urging me to get it done, so that I could reap the same rewards.

Finally, two babies later, after pregnancy hormones settled, I was happy to take his advice. After Jason's great experience at Kelowna Laser Vision and remembering how wonderful the staff was with him, I confidently chose to follow suit with PRK. I was happy I did. Everyone on staff was always so friendly and treated surgery day like a celebration. They seemed just as excited about each surgery as the patients themselves.

Since having my eyes done, I have been most excited about being free of dry, tired eyes, at the end of the day. I also love not having to be irritated by rips in contacts throughout the day, when they are getting old and I don't have time to change them (the choice being irritated or blind for the day.) I can confidently 'head' the ball in soccer, without losing a contact on the field and I can swim freely underwater. Finally, loving the outdoors, camping is much nicer when you don't have to remove contacts in an unsterile environment and root around for glasses in the middle of the night. Overall, I would recommend the surgery and Kelowna Laser Vision to anyone!

Lita Beath, Procedure November 2008
Teacher/Fitness Instructor/Mom, Kelowna

"the mono-vision means I don't have to pull out reading glasses EVER!"

I am a classical vocal performer and glasses just were not acceptable on stage. Also the mono-vision means I don't have to pull out reading glasses EVER! It makes me feel younger. Skiing with goggles is possible now and every other activity is improved!

THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love my better than 20-20 vision!

Alexandra Babbel,  Procedure March 2007
 Kelowna

It changes your life, I wish I had done it sooner. I had been wearing eye glasses for over twenty years. I thought about having laser eye surgery for about five years and finally got information about it. The Kelowna Laser Vision team was very helpful and informative while I went through my decision making process. My only regret was not getting the procedure done sooner. It's so fantastic to wake up and not have to find my glasses or to have to clean them. I can go swimming with no hassle, the freedom is wonderful - I highly recommend it!

Travis Hackl
Chef, The Ridge Restaurant

I'd like to take a moment to thank you and the team at Kelowna Laser Vision for making it possible for me, to achieve, a life long dream that I didn't even know I had. I had almost not even considered the option of living without eye glasses.

Before my surgery I hadn't really stopped to consider how different I could feel without eye glasses. I've been wearing them since childhood and they had become part of me. Since my surgery I feel a sense of confidence and freedom that I haven't felt in years./i>