Herzig Eye Institute in Lifestyle + News on May 21, 2026

At 21 years old, Ottawa paramedic Owen was used to living his life on the go. Between the busy and unpredictable workdays of a paramedic – responding to emergency calls, navigating traffic and night driving, reading street signs quickly, and constantly moving between indoor and outdoor environments, he was familiar to how much his eyesight was becoming a barrier in his everyday life. Outside of work, he also enjoyed outdoor activities and woodworking, where his vision again felt like a limitation than a convenience.  

For years, Owen relied on glasses and contact lenses to correct his nearsightedness. While they worked, they were becoming increasingly frustrating, especially in a profession where every second matters. During long shifts, his contact lenses would often leave his eyes feeling dry and irritated, made worse by the constant aur circulation inside the ambulance. Night driving also became challenging, particularly when trying to quickly read street signs or navigate unfamiliar areas during emergency calls. Glasses had their own set of obstacles, as constantly transitioning between changing weather conditions and indoor environments would cause his lenses to fog up. This inconvenience was far from ideal in his fast-paced and high-pressure situations.  

Over time, he accepted just how much his vision was impacting his daily routine. Whether it was managing dry eyes from contact lens wear during long and demanding days, carrying extra lenses with him, or constantly adjusting fogged-up glasses, his vision correction was a barrier both at work and in everyday life.  

Wanting more freedom and convenience in both his work and personal life, Owen began exploring long-term vision correction options and was especially interested in SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) because of its advanced technology and minimally invasive approach. After comprehensive assessments at Herzig Eye Institute to determine whether he was a suitable candidate, he was happy to learn that he was. 

Before the procedure, Owen’s prescription measured:  

  • Right Eye (OD): -3.50 +0.50 x 015 Va D:20/15 
  • Left Eye (OS): -3.50 sphere Va D: 20/15 

Just one day after the procedure, Owen had 20/15 vision without glasses or contacts. After his one-week follow-up, he maintained 20/15 vision with no residual refractive error.  

For Owen, the impact of the procedure extended beyond clearer vision. Removing the day-to-day reliance on glasses and contact lenses brought a greater sense of freedom to his everyday life. Long shifts, night driving, outdoor activities, and even woodworking became simpler and more enjoyable.