A Dancer and Actor's PRK Experience

Challenges as a Dancer Before the Procedure:

Before my LASIK procedure, I couldn’t do anything without my glasses. The second I woke up, I would need to put my glasses on. For almost two decades of my life, that’s how I lived on a daily basis. Being a professional dancer, I always used to wear straps with my glasses because I didn’t like contact lenses, but when I would start to sweat, my glasses would fog up, which would affect my performance. Being on set as an actor, I would not wear my glasses, so things were blurry on set, which made it challenging to do my job.

First Impressions With Improved Vision:

The freedom I have to do anything without worrying about whether or not I can see that far or so near is honestly life-changing! As a performer, I can step on any stage, any set, without worrying about the lights, fogging, and blurring of my vision. I cried the first time I was on set, and I could see so clearly.

It made everything I do from acting on set, dancing, and DJ-ing, a whole lot easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable! The less I have to worry about my sight, the better I can focus on my performance.

If you are considering this procedure:

I would like to tell someone considering this procedure to stop thinking about it and get it done already! I wish I had done this years ago! It really is a life-changing experience, especially if you can’t do anything without needing your glasses or contacts. It is painless, and Dr. Coetzee talked me through each step of the way. Lastly, I see better than when I had glasses. My vision right now is 20/40, which I didn’t even think was possible. Get it done, and you will be forever grateful you made that decision.

Learn more about vision correction options for your age group:

Disclaimer: This story is based on a personal experience shared by one of our patients, who provided consent for it to be used. The content has been edited for clarity and to comply with medical advertising guidelines. Each patient’s experience is unique. Glasses remain a safe option as they do not involve any medical procedure. LASIK is a lifestyle choice for those seeking unaided vision and may not be suitable if you are content with wearing glasses. Research suggests the cumulative risk of contact lenses may exceed that of LASIK.

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Preshela Pillay

07:58 19 Apr 24

Very good friendly staff. Can see without spectacles.

Rennie Pillay

07:42 19 Apr 24

Very professional, yet friendly service.

Anja Theron

08:23 11 Apr 24

The best decision ever. You will not regret going to Santon Eye Clinic for Lasik eye surgery. It is life changing.

Doctors and staff are super friendly and helpful every time.

Petro Lourens

13:08 13 Mar 24

Anja Joosten

08:36 13 Mar 24

Kanwal Abdul ghaffar

10:34 23 Feb 24

Absolutely loved the service at both the Menyln and Sandton eye clinics.

The staff at both clinics are very professional and organized. The doctors and staff made sure that I was greatly taken care of - be it consultation or the procedure itself. They guided me well throughout the process. The staff also personally followed up to see whether I was experiencing any symptoms after the procedure.

I would definitely recommend their services. The surgery was painless, quick and so worth it. I have also been for 2 follow-ups after the procedure. Everything is looking great I can actually see better than the 20/20 vision level. It is now an absolute bliss not having the need to wear glasses.

I would wholeheartedly like to thank Dr Precious Phutudi for the smooth experience .♥️

Nadia Omar

10:19 09 Jan 24

It’s been a week since my Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) surgery and I cannot describe how I feel. Waking up and just being able to SEE without glasses or contact lenses is life changing. I have struggled with my vision since I was 13, it has really affected EVERY aspect of my life, activities I could do, the amount of make up I could wear, driving at night, failing my eye tests at the licensing department, the list is endless. I CAN’T BELIEVE ITS ALL IN THE PAST!

With each passing day my vision gets clearer and clearer. I still find myself looking for my contacts lenses in a mirror sometimes - I really can’t believe it.

I cannot thank the team at Sandton Eye Clinic enough. You have honestly changed my life & with so much love and kindness too ❤️

They are just the best

Francois Chapman

14:19 12 Dec 23

There's only a few life-changing decisions that I've made in my life, and getting LASIK surgery was definitely one of them. I cannot express the gratitude I have for the freedom of not wearing glasses or contact lenses. The team at Santon eye clinic don't just help people see better, they help them enjoy life more.

Richard Watson

21:13 21 Nov 23

I spent extra to go to the expert because it’s my eyes. You want the best, right?

I just bought glasses again, a year after my op. It’s nice that I see “better” but I would have preferred more information on what the outcome would feel like.

I got two settings due to my age. One eye for distance and one for reading. I’m a computer professional. My reading eye can’t see my screen clearly (it’s better at iPhone distance but not amazing). It annoyed me for a year and I kept making excuses. My distance eye can’t really see distance clearly. I guess it’ll adjust into the range that it does over time, but for now it’s a bit off and an optometrist said it’s not really good enough for a driving test. I did a driving test and barely squeaked through. I’m always a bit wary driving in less than ideal conditions and I’ll probably take glasses to my next test.

Bought expensive glasses, one pair for computer and one for driving. Much happier. But this is exactly what I was trying to avoid, right?

Learnings:
- Ask exactly what you’ll experience. The difference between my two eyes wasn’t “a bit”. There’s no overlap. It’s pretty stark, and it was a surprise.
- Be involved in the setting the doc chooses for you. Like, skill up and don’t just trust. We’re trained to trust medical professionals. Trust but verify, be more involved than I was.

Recommendation for the business:
Take more time in selecting the outcome. Give people take-home material. Set up lenses so they know what it’ll look like after the op - left will look like X, right like Y, this is the distance it’ll work best for, stereo will be good at distances from A to B but not C.

3 stars because it’s much better to be able to do sports without glasses. Much more functional and can get by. That’s very cool. And I have no idea but all signs are that the operation was technically excellent. A couple of optometrists have said the cut is very good. He’s also a really good guy you’ll enjoy interacting with. Part of the reason for this review is because I know they’re very good and will hopefully use it to make the business better.

So: technically very good but I was a bit disappointed and could never shake the feeling it’s not what I was sold.

Joel Mapheto

10:14 31 Jul 23

Junaid Amir

10:37 21 Jun 23

Staff is very friendly and Dr Coetzee is excellent, would highly recommend to anyone looking for treatment for Keratoconus.

Willie W

17:38 26 Apr 23

Best money ever spent. Yes, expensive, but every cent worth it. The doctor spends time, treats you like a person. Service well done, satisfied with the procedure and will recommend a thousand times over.

Melissa Steyn

11:54 05 Dec 22

If you are looking for exceptional service, Sandton Eye Clinic is the place to go. Ilka went above and beyond to try find the best solution for me, exploring all possibilities and answering all my question. I am yet to go for the surgery but to date they have been very accommodating to me. I look forward to my eye surgery in January.

Yolindi Kok

15:15 01 Dec 22

Honestly, I don't think a Google Review will do any justice.
I've been wearing glasses from a very young age & recently that changed when I came across the Sandton Eye Clinic.
The staff is efficient & friendly. Dr Melody Sun is informative & was very caring when she preformed the LASIK procedure as I was rather anxious, she sure knows how to put one at ease.
I had my procedure done 30 / 11 / 2022 & the next day was clear as light.
Forever grateful towards the Sandton Eye Clinic & Dr Melody Sun as her & the team changed my life!
THANK YOU 😊

Elease Pretorius

15:44 01 Mar 22

From being a bat to a SUPER SEE-er!
Going to Sandton eye clinic is the best thing someone can do for themselves.

The staff is amazing! They are friendly, professional and knowledgeable. They take you step by step through everything you need to do and know. And the best feeling, I didn't feel like a number, I felt like a person ♡ ...their only client.

And the present they gave me was unbelievable. The present of sight 👀. Being able to see, to truly see, the beautiful world we live in. I have no words. Just thank you 😊

Life Without Glasses: A Dancer and Actor’s Experience