LASIK - tell me the good, the bad and the ugly

[fiddleleaffig]

I've recently inherited a small amount of money, not a life changing amount as such (four figures) but I want to use it for something that will change the quality of my life. Ive shortlisted it to laser eye surgery, laser hair removal, or dental implants. Exciting stuff right?
I've have a consultation next week for lasik at my local optical express and really wanted to hear from people who have had it done - was it worth it? Would you do it again? Also how old were you when you had it done, as I'm aware I'm on the cusp for lasik before lens replacement surgery? Did you find the consultants pushy? Roughly what was the cost? Do you struggle driving at night (this one is important as changing jobs to one that would require motorway driving at night).
For context, I've just turned 40, have a prescription of -3.5/-3.75 and have been wearing glasses since I was 15.
Thank you

Your prescription is usually ideal for lasik, it’s much higher levels of myopia which warrant lens replacement.
I think you’re getting confused with the change which happens to your lens when you get older, which means that you need to have a different prescription for close work compared to distance.
if you have lasik done, (unless you have one eye slightly undercorrected or a smile procedure) you’ll need to wear glasses for reading within five years.

Some people, especially with larger pupils, do have issues with night driving afterwards, but it’s less likely with the modern lasers.

it’s usually very successful at your prescription.

Thank you.
I accept that I will need glasses again at some stage for reading, probably in about 10 years or so, which is why I think it's now or never for lasik. It would just be so nice to be able to see when I come home instead of having my glasses steam up, be able to wear normal sunglasses without having to be switching them all the time. Little things like that.
Although my under eye bags will be much more visible so I'd need to put more effort into my make up there

Got it done 15 years ago, I’m now 47. Absolutely amazing, would do it again but it did affect my night time vision. I don’t like driving on country roads when it’s dark, city driving is fine. I’m sure things have changed now with advances

Do you have any indication of cataracts, or signs that they might develop? If so I'd go straight for lens replacement.

No sign of any issues. There was concern of possible, future glaucoma, but I saw a consultant in the summer who ruled that out completely and said there is no reason why I couldn't have lasik now

I had it at 30, it cost 4K and remains the best money I ever spent as I absolutely hated wearing my glasses and I never got on well with contacts.
I also did it through optical express and they weren’t pushy at all.
The first winter after I had it done I did notice more of a glare from headlights but not so much that it impacted my driving at all. My eyes were always quite sensitive to the sun and I think a little more now but it just means I can enjoy wearing the many pairs of sunglasses I’ve since been able to buy as before I was limited to prescription ones so maybe I just like wearing them

lens replacement surgery is a bigger op, with more risks.

You also completely lose natural lens flexibility, so unless you have a varifocal lens implant, (which not everyone gets on with), you’ll need strong reading glasses straight away.