I wore contacts in my 20's but in my 30's I developed dry eyes (and mouth). The chronic dry eyes made it impossible for me to wear contacts. (Now my daughter is having the same experience.)
So, several years ago, I had laser surgery on both eyes to correct my extreme nearsightedness. There was no pain or sensation of burning involved. It's been great! I can still drive without glasses, I can swim at the beach without glasses, I can watch TV without glasses, and I can go outside to a non-blurry world without glasses.
As an older person, I do use reading glasses.
Years prior to my laser surgery, I had all four punctal ducts cauterized. Now, THAT'S red hot surgery! Under local anesthesia only (just the eyes are numbed), with eyes wide open, sitting in a chair similar to a dentist's chair, the doctor did each duct, one at a time. He used burning hot fine metal wires and put the tip in the duct. I could hear the sizzle, see the smoke, and smell the flesh burn. Ugh!
That surgery is supposed to help dry eyes stay moist. It doesn't really do much good. 
The only difference is, if I tear up, the tears overflow down my cheeks instead of draining into the nasal cavity. Big whoop.
