It didn't hurt at all. They gave me a Valium 1/2 an hour before and put numbing drops in your eye the whole time and you literally don't feel it at all. It's very weird. I had to wear goggles for 24 hours after, and I have to put eye drops in 4 times a day for the next week, but that's about the extent of recovery.
The whole surgery took 4 minutes - one minute each eye to cut the flat (I got intralase, so this also was done by a laser. With regular lasik this is done by blade), and then one minute each to do the lasik - when the lazer shapes your eye. That's it. It was not a big deal. It is nothing to be nervous about at all.
If it's done correctly, your Vision won't start to get blurry again. If it doesn't get that clear the first time, you can get "enhancements" to sharpen your Vision. But if you get it this clear the first time you won't have to have it done again.
It does not correct the need to wear reading glasses, which I don't need now, but many people do when they reach 40-45 years of age. So there is a possibility you may still need reading glasses one day, but at least if I do now I won't need bifocals.
I don't have any side effect other than my eyes feeling a little dry, but that is normal for a couple weeks while they are healing.
You don't have to have both eyes done on the same day, but I did.