Herzig Eye Institute in I've Had It, Refractive Surgery on March 23, 2026

Dr. Kashif Baig’s Story

For Dr. Kashif Baig, vision has always been more than just sight; it’s been the foundation of his life’s work. As one of the country’s leading cornea, anterior segment, and refractive surgeons, and the Medical Director in Ottawa, he has dedicated his career to restoring and enhancing vision for thousands of patients. He performs the SMILE procedure regularly and has witnessed firsthand how transformative it can be. 

But a few years ago, Dr. Baig found himself on the other side of the equation. 

Like many people, he had relied on glasses for years, especially for reading and gradually reached a point where they no longer fit his lifestyle or his needs. As both a surgeon and a patient, he approached the decision with a unique level of thoughtfulness. 

For him, it came down to three very clear questions: 
What technology is the best? Who is going to do it? And am I ready for this? 

The answer to the last question became increasingly obvious. His near vision was changing, and he knew that waiting would only prolong a problem he already understood deeply both clinically and personally. 

“Based on the advanced technology, the outcomes I’ve seen patients achieve as a surgeon, and my own anatomy and physiology,” he said, “I knew this was going to be the best procedure for me.” 

That procedure was SMILE, a minimally invasive laser vision correction option known for its precision, stability, and rapid recovery. It was a procedure Dr. Baig trusted enough to perform himself and ultimately, one he trusted enough to choose for his own eyes. 

The next decision was just as important: who would perform the surgery. 

“Who’s got perhaps the most experience doing SMILE procedures?” he said. “That’s Dr. Sheldon Herzig, so that was really a no-brainer.” From a surgical standpoint, everything made sense. From a personal standpoint, he felt ready. “I was very comfortable going into it,” Dr. Baig shared. “All the boxes were checked.” 

Dr. Herzig approached Dr. Baig’s treatment with the same level of care and customization he brings to every patient, if not more. Knowing that Dr. Baig had a long surgical career ahead of him and depended on his vision every day, a carefully tailored approach was chosen: his dominant eye was corrected for distance, while his non-dominant eye was left slightly nearsighted, preserving functional near vision without glasses. 

“I can imagine what was going through his head,” Dr. Herzig said. “He’s an eye surgeon. He needs his eyes.” 

The procedure itself was exactly what Dr. Baig had expected and hoped for. 

“The surgery was very quick,” he said. “I didn’t really feel much. I just looked at the green light, and that was it. There was no pressure and no pain.” 

But the results exceeded even his expectations. “The next day I woke up, and it was a different reality,” Dr. Baig said. “I’m able to play sports, drive, and see my patients so much better in the clinic. It’s been great for me.” 

Today, Dr. Baig continues to perform the SMILE procedure regularly in Ottawa but now with an entirely unique perspective. He’s not just a surgeon explaining outcomes; he’s someone who has lived them. 

For him, SMILE has been a game changer, both personally and professionally. It allowed him to step away from glasses, regain visual freedom, and continue doing what he loves with his best possible vision.  

Dr. Kashif Baig doesn’t just transform lives through his work; he embodies the trust, expertise, and innovation that define modern vision correction.  

To learn more about the SMILE procedure, click here. To watch Dr. Baig’s patient journey, click here.