DH had it done with Optimax in Central London when it wasn't that widely available and was expense (around £2000) and painful, we didn't live together at the time and I remember he had to lay in a dark room for two days, it was a different method back then - I'm trying to remember what year it was, I'm guessing 1995. He had each eye done six months apart and had to wear one contact lens in that time
He says it's the best thing he has ever done, he hated wearing glasses and the inconvenience of lenses back then was a pain (and he's vain

).
I can't remember what his prescription was but it wasn't too bad - back then they couldn't correct really poor eyesight - one thing is that he is Diabetic and his eyes will probably deteriorate again so he sees it as buying a bit of time.
My friend had it done about three years ago and she was back to work the next day.