I have read a number of these forums since having Epi-Lasek with Optimax in October of 2005 and congratulate them on providing this forum for patients to share their stories.I am now 20 months post op and whilst numerous people come through this procedure "ecstatic" with their new vision, I unfortunately am not one of them.I am not posting this to alarm people or to put them off the surgery, I am simply suggesting that you need to make an informed decision. Whatever statistics are quoted at you by the clinics eg 95% success, unfortunately someone has to make up the 5% category.What do the statistics mean anyway - does the 5% pick up all of those people with laser induced dry eyes, those suffering from induced astigmatism, those experiencing halos and ghosting, those with double vision, those unable to wear contact lenses because of their reshaped corneas, those unable to get glasses to correct residual vision issues (glasses cannot correct starbursts). All of which I have suffered at some point in time over the past 20 months. Some of which have adversely affected my life in unquantifiable terms. I was so excited about having the surgery. The prospect of being free of glasses for even a few years was exciting as I have been wearing glasses for nearly 20 years. My prescription was pretty mild at R -1.75 /-0.50 X 180 and L -2.50 / -0.25 X 167.My surgery was pretty uneventful, no pain, quite simple and speedy. My recovery was quite painful but that was explained by the DR prior to surgery.I had my bandage lenses removed at day 4 and my vision was quite blurry but started to settle by about day 7-10.My eyes were dry pretty much from the start but that was also explained, my problems really started about day 7-8 when I experienced my first corneal abrasion - where your eyelid scratches the epithelium or worse when the eyelid attaches to the epithelium when you are sleeping and tears it away when you wake - I have discovered that this is what they refer to in the consent form as "pain on waking".In the majority of cases dry eye issues are usually resolved during the first 6 months.20 months later for me, I am still struggling with constantly burning dry gritty bloodshot eyes. I have significantly had to reduce my hours at work as I simply cannot stand sitting in front of a computer for more than a few hours at a time. So the cost to me is incalculable, my lost earnings alone would have paid for my surgery 50 times over. The social cost is just not measurable - I just can't bear to go out anymore.It is extremely rare for me to sleep through the night without having to reapply some artificial tears. I now put in an eye gel of a night, and tape my eyes closed with micropore in a vain attempt to prevent further erosions.My eyes are constantly burning during the day and winter months with the central heating on are just unbearable, this is when I spend a lot of time on the sofa with an icepack on my face just to try and get some comfort.Whilst I have seen some improvement in the past 20 months, I still have a very long way to go before I am anywhere near where I was pre op.Something I must point out, it that I had no symptoms of dry eyes prior to having the surgery. I have never used an artifical tear in the past as I never had the need, I never new about corneal abrasions until after the surgery, and my eyes were nice and white before the surgery, now they are seriously bloodshot most of the time.Whilst Optimax have been very good in providing me with follow up care, it seems that all I have left to improve my situation is the passage of time and the hope that this will get better as the days pass. Unfortunately, my income earning potential and life don't just stop waiting for this day to come. I still have to work to pay the mortgage and live in the mean time - an extremely difficult task when your job is sitting in front of a computer and you just can't bear to do it because of the constant pain and discomfort in your eyes.Sure the consent form lists numerous possible complications but can somebody really understand what dry eyes are until you experience them. Furthermore the complications are generally dismissed as a "very small percentage"As I have said previously, it is not my intention to stop people having this surgery, I was sure I was going to be a success case and tell everyone how wonderful it was, unfortunately that wasn't the case for me, so just make sure that you can cope with the consequenses if it doesn't go the way you expect it to go.RegardsAzriel

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Hi When I was trying to decide whether or not to have laser surgery I didn?t find many good success stories on here, only when treatment had gone wrong. I have decided to put my success story on here.I had Lasik Intralase Wavefront carried out on both eyes at the Finchley Road, London Optimax clinic on Thursday 13 August. My prescription was -3.50 in both eyes.I must admit I was very nervous and very nearly changed my mind. My surgeon was Sajjad Mughal. He is a very nice guy who put me at ease and answered all of my silly questions. When the time came for me to go in I had to wear a lovely surgical hair net (luckily I couldn?t see what I looked like!). I went into the prep area where my eyes were cleaned and anaesthetic drops put in. I sat there for what seemed liked ages while the lady in front of me had hers done. When my time came I just had to check that they would put more drops in as I was worried that they would have worn off!I had the Intralase done on both eyes first. This, I have to say is the worst part by far as I wasn?t really ready for the amount of pressure on my eye. It probably wasn?t a lot at all but it felt like it! This only lasted for around 20 secs max when my vision went blurry (long distance was blurry already). Then they moved the bed from under the Intralase machine so that the flap could be peeled back and the eye was cleaned before putting in the retractor to keep the lids open. It was a very weird feeling as my other eye was blinking which was tricking me into thinking that the other one was as well (blinking was something that I was worried about but needn?t have been). I was told to lay still and look at the red light (the laser). As on all accounts on here you get the smell of burning during the lasering part which is not that unpleasant, it reminded me of fireworks! About 50 secs later and lasering was done. Eye was cleaned again and flap replaced. I had a bandage len put in both eyes to protect the flap. The eye lid retractor was removed and I was told to gently blink. A rather fetching eye shield was placed on that eye and the right one was done.Once the right eye was done I was helped up (felt a bit light headed at first) and led to the recovery room where I sat in the dark for a while on a reclining chair with a hot chocolate. I stayed there for about 20 mins or so before I went down to see the Optometrist to check that all was well. She told me that there was a strand of fabric between my eye and the lens so sent me back up to see the surgeon. He had a look and looked at her notes and said that there was nothing there. He said it was probably just a line of mucus (lovely!). So off I went home with my oversized sunglasses. In the car on the way home my eyes stung, the peeling onion effect and lasted for around 3 hours but I went straight in and went to sleep. By the time I woke up the stinging had stopped. Vision was good but a bit blurry which I was told was the bandage lenses. I was putting the drops in as directed but it took a bit of practice to actually get them in my eye and not on my eye lids! I was given some eye patched to wear at night. Not the best things in world as the micropore tape they give you hurts like hell when you come to take it off in the morning!Had my 24 hour check up on Friday. Could read the line above the bottom, the bottom was rather blurry. Once the bandage lenses were taking out my vision became much clearer and not blurred, I could read the bottom line and had 20/20 vision.Just a tip for washing hair, I bought a pair of swimming goggles (in the O2 centre across the road from the Clinic there is an Esporta fitness club, they sell goggles in there) for wearing in the shower. I did wonder how I was going to wash my hair with them but discovered that if I put the strap under all my hair at the back and up over my ears the goggles stayed where they were and I could easily wash my hair.I went back to work on Monday and found that a bit hard going, the air con and looking at a monitor were making my eyes very very dry. I got a screen filter which takes down the glare and have been using refresh drops every hour or so in between the steroid drops and they seem to be ok. So far so good, vision is very good as good as it was before with contacts lenses which was what I wanted from this so I am very happy. I actually think that when I got up this morning my vision has become sharper. I have my 1 week check up next Tuesday so will find out if there is any prescription left and will report back.The only thing that I am not too happy about is the fact that you only get 1 pack of refresh drops and that you are told to use them for 2-3 months, it has cost me a small fortune in buying a supply of them. Luckily I found a company on the internet which sells them for £3.49 a box but even still after having paid a fortune for the treatment I was a bit cheesed off at having to spend more money on something I think they should provide (at least more than 1 box).In conclusion, on my experience I would definitely recommend anyone thinking about it to do it, I?m wishing I had had it done sooner! Good luck!Any questions please ask.

eyes vision done drops told hair blurry check goggles clean intralase flap road line bottom lenses bandage before laser wash

I initially went to optical express in Milton Keynes for a consultation, which the quoted me £3000 and this was with a £200 voucher.After checking online I?ve noticed that optimax were doing a half price offer ? Intralase Lasik wavefront for up to £1995. So I booked the consultation in Leicester. I found out that I was suitable for the procedure and decided to book in for the surgery. I also went for their payment plan, which they took a photocopy of driving license and bank statement. I was originally quoted for £3750.When I went home, I decided to do a bit more research between optimax and optical express, and I found that the procedure they both do is the same, but they just use a different name for the treatment and also they use different brand of machine to perform the surgery. To be honest, I think that optical express was slighter better in terms of equipment they used. But I thought, what the hell-it will achieve the same result, even if I pay a bit less.On the day of the surgery I wasn?t nervous, as previously the optometrist explained everything to me, clearly and I was confident that I wanted to go ahead. One week before the surgery, I received a call, to more my appointment a little a bit earlier in the day, which I was happy to do. However, an hour of waiting the office manager came up to everyone and said the Intralase machine wasn?t 100%, even though they could use the machine, but on the safe side he would call an engineer out. This would delay the surgery for about 1-2 hours. Now, I was nervous- I was thinking, what else could go wrong? Did they not have a back up machine? Was this an omen? You could see all other patients were worried.After a couple of hours of waiting (which seemed like forever) I was called in, I was extremely nervous. While I was waiting to go into the surgery room, I could smell like burning. When I walked into the room, there were other scrub nurses and Dr Bhojani who performed the surgery. She administered some drops and put this suction thing over my eye, it didn?t hurt but felt uncomfortable. The whole procedure was pain free but the most off putting thing was that the surgeon and the nurses were having a casual conversation amongst themselves about poxy car parks and parking. I was just frozen by fear and panic and somehow I managed to squeak out ?what?s happening, now?-all I got was you?re doing fine. I didn?t feel fine. Before I knew it, it was over. The whole procedure took about 10-15 minutes and then I was scurried into a room for a couple of minutes, who explained things will be very blurry and I would be sensitive to the light. Then some else came in and explained how to administer 4 different types of drops. They did a final check on my eyes and I was ok to go home.While I was in the car, I was definitely sensitive to the light; this was with my shades on. Somehow I managed to fall asleep. When I got home, my eyes were stinging like mad. I wasn?t able to go to sleep, but I managed to for about an hour. When I got up I could barely open my eyes and I just sat in darkness and managed to get to sleep again. When I got in the morning, there was not stinging, I could see properly. which was amazing. When I went to have my eyes checked again, I was safe to drive and I was able to see the next 2 lines down- which the optometrist said that this better than 20/20. But I must state all the letters still looked a bit blurry round the edges, even though I could see the letters. He said that it was normal.I will let you know, how I get on at my 1 week appointment. I apologies for this long winded blog. My overall experience I would say is that, the optometrist he was absolutely brilliant, I couldn?t fault him. He was clear and explained everything in details. For the rest of staff, they were friendly; however, I would?ve expected a bit more professionalism. Their attitude was laid back and even though they were really nice girls (and boys) they just seemed like they did not know what they were doing, They took another photocopy of driving license and bank statement again, which they said the misplaced the original one. I think that they just seemed a bit disorganised. The surgeon- I?m sure she is a brilliant surgeon but I didn?t feel reassured or updated what was happening in. I?m just worried about the slight blurriness I see when look and number plates- I?m just praying that this will sort itself out. Would I recommend them ? jury?s out on that one. I suppose you get what you pay for, but spending 2 grand you just expect a bit better experience, that?s all.

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I had surgery in Belfast on 5th March for a plus prescription. I was to expect a good distance vision but they told me to expect to need reading glasses. For the first month or so I didn't need glasses for reading even small text, but now I need them for very small print. I don't need them for the computer though which I'm really pleased about. My distance isn't as good as I had thought it would be, but I still think my eyes are changing, sometimes my distance is better than others. I'm fine for driving and on the whole I am really pleased I had the surgery. I have another appointment with Optimax tomorrow, so I'll see what they say, I suppose I could need a top up as a lot of people do.The actual surgery itself was completely pain free, I was so nervous, but it was a quick painless process. I went back to the clinic day after treatment for a check. The day of the treatment the doctor put a contact lens in one eye which he was to remove the next day. He didn't remove this and I totally forgot about the lens. It was later that night that it dawned on me that it was still in my eye and I had to take it out myself which freaked me out a bit. I thought this was a bit careless of him.

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I had my 15 week after care appointment yesterday. I could read the bottom line on the chart with my right eye, my left eye not as good though, but still a lot better than it was. I have to say some days I can read smaller print better than other days, does anyone else have that experience, for example, today I can read smaller print than I could yesterday.

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HiBackgroundI had been wearing glasses for 11 years, until last year when I tried contacts. Contacts for me never really worked. I have a minor astigmatism and the first lens that I tried did nothing to correct this. They were fine for distance but I could not read a book or a computer screen. It was then suggested that I should try a Toric lens which I did and my vision was much better, but the lenses are thick and I could look in a mirror and see them. A friend told me that having laser treatment to correct her short sightedness was the best thing that she ever did. So I thought I would look into it. I booked my appointment with Optimax at Liverpool Street but thought I should go and speak with at least one other company. The other company that I went to quoted just over £4000 and at that point it was just not an option. Way too expensive at least for me. I needed to have LASIK Wavefront surgery.ConsultationI went to the Optimax office near Liverpool street station. Their office there is small and just a consultation room. No surgery is carried out there. The people that I spoke with carried out a number of tests. If you have not been to a laser eye surgery consultation before then you might not be aware that they will freeze the surface of your eye and also dilate your pupils. This is does not hurt in anyway just makes your eyes feel a bit strange for a couple of hours. After the consultation I was quoted £2300 as at the time they had a half price offer. Optimax offer a payment plan and you can pay for the surgery over time, I opted to pay by cheque and this was not a problem. I did not book my surgery there and then as I still wanted to think. However that afternoon I called and booked surgery at their Finchley Road office.Day of surgeryI arrived at their surgery at around 3.30pm, I didn't have to wait and was taken for a couple of tests. In the first test I had to look at an image as it went from fuzzy to clear and back again. The second test was just a case of looking at a blue light. I was then given my file and asked to go to the reception on the first floor. I think Optimax do surgery in batches of 4 or 5 people. When I got to the first floor reception there was another guy about my age and two ladies that were waiting. I was given a medical form sort of a check list to complete before being shown the various drops that I would need to use for the next week or so. I have to say at this point no one in the room was talking and everyone seamed a little worried. One by one we were asked to go and see the surgeon, I am sorry I can't remember his name but he was a middle aged South African man. He had a look at my eyes asked a few questions and that was it back to the reception area to wait. After a few mins one of the ladies was called, she was then followed by the other guy and then me. I was taken to a room, were I could leave any bags that i had brought with me. I was also given a very attractive hair net and then directed into a second room and asked to sit down while they applied the anesthetic. The nurse that did this first wiped my eyelids and the surrounding area with a fluid I guess just to clean the skin. Then a couple of drops were applied to each eye. The anesthetic works very quickly and pretty soon my eyes were frozen. At this point I did feel a bit nervous and if someone asked he if I wanted to go home there and then I would of said yes. About 10 mins after the anesthetic was applied I was direct into the room next door and asked to sit in what looked like a dentist chair. This chair was then made to go flat and I was lined up under a machine that would create the flap. I was asked to look into the centre of a ring of white lights. I am not to sure of what happened next but I think something was placed on my eye and then connected to the wavefront machine. I could still see the white lights, but that was about it. There was no pain just a bit of pressure and very quickly the flap was created. Some people say that they can see this happen, I did not. Some cotton was used to cover my right eye and then they did the same to my left. Next either the machines moved or I was moved, so that I was under the laser. You are asked to look at a small red and green flashing light. At this point my eye was clamped open but you don't feel anything you just sort of know that they are doing it. There is a bit of noise sounds like someone welding and also a burning smell, but thats about it. I could see the surgeon putting some drops into my eye and also putting a contact lens in place. Both eyes were done and I was taken to a room with no natural light to sit and wait for 10 mins or so. I was told that I should keep my eyes closed. I felt fine and my vision was even at this stage better that it had been before. I had no pain and in fact I think the treatment took less time and was easier than having a filling at the dentist. I was then taken back downstairs and an optician checked that the flaps and lens were ok before been given a bag with drops, pain killers, eye shields and an emergency contact number. Then I was free to go home. Optimax don't like you going home after treatment on your own, they like someone to collect you. My partner was late due to delays on the underground so I had to sit and wait. One of the reception staff offered to stay behind and wait with me as they were closing at 6pm and I was not going to be collected until later than this. He was great in that he just chatted away which was good as the anesthetic had started to wear off. Its not that I was in real pain, its very like the felling you get when you sometimes chop onions. So it was more like a discomfort. You don't feel it as much when your eyes are closed and Optimax tell you to keep your eyes shut as much as you on the day of treatment. I went home put the eye shields that they give you on and went to bed to listen to the radio. I never used the pain killer they gave me as I didn't need it. Next morning all discomfort was gone and my vision was a bit soft. I mean I could see but it was not clear. One day check-upThe day after surgery you need to go back to Optimax for a check up. They carry out the same test were you look at an image going from fuzzy to clear and back again. Then you have the standard eye text, i.e. read the letters from the chart. I was not too good at this, but after they removed the contact lenses that were used to protect the wounds I had better than 20/20 in my left eye but was still short sighted in my right. I was told that it was still early days and they would know better in a weeks time. You do have some marks on the white of your eyes were they make the flaps, but as you are told to wear sunglasses as much as you can it is not really an issue.So thats were I am now, its 4 days since my treatment and the red marks are starting to heal and I have better eye sight then I have had in years. I think it was the right thing for me to do, and I will let you know what the vision in my right eye is like after the one week check up on wednesday.I hope this has not been too long. If you are thinking about treatment and want to ask me any questions please do and I will try and answer them.Alex

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I read these blogs constantly before going for my own surgery, so I thought I would add my own experience. I couldn't find much on my surgeon or on the Birmingham clinic when I was looking, so I hope this helps others trying to find some info.I'm 22 and my prescription was -5.5 in the right eye and -5.75 in the left eye, no astigmatism.I have been wearing glasses since the age of about 10. At about 14 I switched to lenses and these worked great for me until I got an eye infection and my eyes couldn't tolerate lenses anymore for more than a few hours. I tried all kinds of lenses but none of them worked well for me, and my optician wouldn't let me wear them because I was getting little oxygen veins growing in my eyes which if they got up to my cornea could make me go blind! So, after years of contacts, I was forced to wear glasses. This was really difficult for me at first as I am not a glasses person, I could never find a frame to suit my face and my lenses were so thick I had to spend a fortune getting them thinned. Having said that, I did become used to wearing them towards the end, and they didn't bother me as much as they used to. I just hated being dependant on them, and having to wear them from the second I woke up to the second I went to sleep, I couldn't see a thing without them.So, after having been thinking about laser eye surgery and wanting it for a while, I decided to go for a consultation at Optimax. I was so nervous even for the consultation because ever since my eye infection a trip to the opticians never bode well with me, there was always bad news to be received! I had my consultation with Dr Amrit at Birmingham. Before meeting the optometrist a number of tests were performed, they checked my eye pressure, took a detailed map of the eyes (for the Wavefront) and checked my prescription. Dr Amrit was very thorough and explained the different types of treatments available and said he thought I would be best off with Intralase Lasik with Wavefront, as I had quite large pupils. This was just what I wanted to hear, although I read up on it I didn't even consider Lasek because of the pain and after discussing the issue of dry eyes and the fact that I thought Lasik might make these worse, I was told I would have to use drops a lot longer than other patients. This didn't bother me at all as I used tear drops and eye drops and eye sprays before anyway. I was just so pleased I was eligible for surgery, I went home feeling very good.I was given the names and phone numbers of past patients, and contacted those that had Lasik to ask if I could speak to them about their experience. A number of them replied, one of them from all the way in India which I thought was very sweet! They were all very positive about it and told me I should go for it, I didn't need much persuading but the positive feedback really helped.My treatment wasn't booked for a month and half after my consultation, during which time I must have read every blog and every review available on the Internet! I understand that not everyone has a good experience, but complications are rare and that goes for every type of surgery. Having said that I don't think people should go into this lightly, at the end of the day it is your eyes and its irreversible, you have to be really sure you want it enough and you are aware of all the risks before you go ahead.Treatment day finally arrived and although I was nervous, I was more excited. I arrived at the clinic with my friend and they took me in for the Wavefront test again, and then took me in to see the surgeon. He explained he asked for the map of my eyes to be taken again as I had an abnormal shape at the back of my cornea where it thinned out at a certain point, and if I had Lasik there was a greater risk of corneal bulging. Their limit is 20 and mine was at 19. He therefore said he would be more comfortable with Lasek as it was the safer way to go. I just thought oh no! All I could think of was the pain warnings for this type of surgery, even though I had read up on it and knew it had been around for longer than Lasik and was considered much safer as there was no cutting. I dreaded the thought of it and went outside to think about it. I knew I wanted surgery that day, and trusted the surgeon completely, he was very nice and explained everything through and didn't try and play the pain aspect down but was comforting in that he said many people don't experience any more pain than that experienced with Lasik, and that the results were the same as for Lasik. So, after a little consideration I decided to just go for it and to say yes to Lasek. If nothing else, this was half the price of the Lasik I was going to have so I would just have to think about that through the pain!I was talked through the meds and drops before putting on my hairnet and going into surgery. I was very nervous but tried to detach myself and keep calm. The numbing drops were put into my eyes. I didn't find any of the surgery painful, there was some discomfort where you feel pressure against your eye but the surgeon was very good and counted down and told me there was only 5 seconds left of pressure, and sure enough the pressure stopped. I didn't like the smell of the laser much but it was bearable. I was finding it really hard to keep the eye that was covered open, because it just wanted to stay closed which made my other eye want to close but the clamp obviously kept it open. The second eye was much easier as I knew what to expect and could control my covered eye better. The last 5 seconds of looking at the laser was difficult as my covered eye wanted to blink again but I wouldn't let it so my open eye would not move. I remember seeing one of the metal instruments coming towards me and thinking uh oh, must not move! The whole process didn't take more than about fifteen minutes max and I was helped up and walked back to my friend. I wasn't focusing much but I remember getting up, and as I got to the door the surgeon told me I did very well and that it went very well, and I just thought oh my God, I can see him! I didn't expect to be able to see so well so quickly with Lasek, as its Lasik that is instant. Nevertheless, I could read the text on the wall, text I would never have been able to see before. I was given my meds, I put my sunglasses on and waited a few mins for the taxi to take us home. I just kept my eyes closed the whole way and as soon as I came home I took the painkillers as instructed as I was told not to wait for the pain. I remember when being shown the anaesthetic drops they give you in case of severe pain I was thinking, is that all you're giving me, give me some more! I was so scared of the pain I think anticipating it was the worst thing.I lay down with my eyes closed in the dark with my eye shields on. After a while my eyes began to stream, they weren't hurting they just felt really heavy and difficult to open, nothing major and certainly not unbearable. I was putting the refresh drops in every hour or so (or my friend was, bless her), not because I felt I needed them but because I had read it was good to use them and they helped the healing. It was annoying taking the shields off and putting them back on every time but I read you should keep them on for the first day and only put them on when sleeping for the next 7 days, so I kept them on. It felt better to have them on, my eyes felt more protected. I waited and waited for this unbearable, excruciating pain.. and none came! I could not believe it, it was nothing more uncomfortable than a slight stinging sensation. The anesthetic drops stayed in the fridge. If anything the worst thing was looking in the mirror and seeing how puffy my eyes were! I didn't need the sleeping tablets they gave me, I woke up a few times in the night to put the refresh drops in. Vision wise straight after my left eye was amazing, so sharp, but my right eye wasn't as sharp and was quite blurred. I didn't worry too much about this as I figured it was still early and it could take a while for it to catch up. Had my bandage lenses taken out after three days and I could read the penultimate line, and after a couple of seconds I could see the bottom line, which I was told was 20:20! I was very happy.It's been a week now, and my right eye is still the same. I think its because it was the first eye and I wasn't still enough or something, I knew what to expect with the left eye and it was really easy, so I think my right eye didn't absorb the laser enough or something.Have my next checkup next week so hopefully might see some improvement.. fingers crossed!What I would like to say is not to rule out Lasek because you think it will be too painful. If you suffer from dry eyes Lasik can potentially make these a lot worse and can take the full benefit of surgery away if it gets too severe. I have honestly not had any pain with the surgery, after the surgery or with the bandage contacts, which I thought I would have had. Also, if there is a need for retreatment, which in my case there may be, its a lot safer if you had Lasek the first time. If the surgeon advises you to consider Lasek I would encourage you to think about it, as they are far more experienced and know what they are talking about. I'm glad I did!If you'd like to know anything or ask any questions I'd be more than happy to answer if I can.Naz.

eyes surgery pain lasik drops lasek thought before told surgeon lenses said want pressure having knew open laser felt wait

I attended the clinic at the end of March to have Lasik Intralase Wavefront, I had previously researched well, checking out all the clinics in the area and researched well on the internet to make sure I was going to the best place possible to have my treatment.The consultation was a piece of cake, quite a few checks on the eyes to decide the best treatment for me, all in all took a couple of hours of my time. The staff were very friendly, especially Mary, a lovely bubbly lady! At 1st I was recommended Lasek treatment due to the size of my pupils and dry eyes, however I was advised that the clinic would check with the surgeon and they would decide which treatment I needed, as he might recomment Lasik.A few days later I received a call to say that the surgeon had decided Lasik would be best for me. I was relieved as I had read that the recovery would be a little longer with Lasek.On the day of my treatment, I arrived at 8.30am and waited around rather a long time until I was called, I think there was a mix up and I was forgotten about for a while, so ended up going in last. I think this was a bonus really as I met a few people who were really anxious (as I was), and I watched their reaction as they came out, and I knew everyone was ok. It put my mind at rest.The treatment itself was completely pain free, you have anesthetic drops in your eyes to numb any pain.The surgeon didn' talk very much but when he did it was to re-assure you that everything will be ok, the clamp on your eye is nothing to worry about and as you have had drops you dont have the need to blink anyway.It took 13 minutes per eye to perform and was over and done with so quickly I hardly realised I had anything done. The noise of the lazer is the most scary thing but even that is not bad a tall, the noise it makes just makes you feel edgy. There is a slight burning smell when the lazer does its job but its really nothing to worry about at all.I sat around in the waiting room for another 30mins or so after treatment and after a check up was allowed home. I slept the rest of the day on and off and my partner applied the eye drops on the 1st day (as there are so many at different times).The next day I returned to the clinic to have the contact lenses removed that were applied to stop infection and promote healing. This was completely pain free.And I could see! Clearly! without my glasses - which is fantastic. I had to wear sunglasses for 2 weeks, and continue with drops for 14 days. All I apply now are artificial tears 3 times a day everyday, and will continue to do so.I was advised I would need reading glasses and at times I do (depending on how tired I am), but I can read a computer screen and my mobile most of the time without the need to wear +1 reading glasses.I have now had 2 check ups and my eyes are improving all the time. 20/20 in the right eye but less in my left (as that was my problem eye), but I have been left naturally with monovision which I have been told is a bonus as I dont need reading glasses all the time.I haven't looked back, no more prescription glasses and sunglasses, I can now buy all the designer sunglasses without worrying about prescriptions.I have one check up left (3 month check up) and hopefully my sight will be even better, and I will be discharged.My only complaint is that you should be given a packet of Refresh drops each check up (free of charge), it does cost £5 a box to buy at the clinic, but you can get them on the internet a bit cheaper.So go on do it! You know you want to...I'ts so worth it, best thing I have ever done :)

treatment check glass drops clinic eyes without sunglass done pain times lasik surgeon reading free applied worry continue completely makes

I hate anything to do with eyes, touching them, putting drops in, even trying to combat the use of contact lenses, however after persevearence I did manage to use lenses.After 12 years, my eyes became less and less tollerant towards lenses, itchy, gritty, and even made me tired..so I decided it was time for surgery.My only regret is that I had not done it sooner...the whole process was pain free and very very professional.The first 24 hours of the strict diet of types of drops and eye relief are paramount...if you get that right, then the rest is easy.The treatment itself was not to nasty, and only lasts seconds, although do not be put off by the odd smell which the machine generates!!!my bloodshot eyes from wearing lenses for too long are now gone, as are the bags under my eyes from constantly messing around with my eyes to try and become more comfortable.Having surgery at the Manchester clinic is the best decision you will ever make!

eyes lenses surgery less drops manchester treatment manage tire become however towards done itchy rest gritty professional itself free years

hi, it is now 6 months since my treatment. my left eye is still no good. My appointment at the clinic showed that now my right eye is outside the required figures. They have decided to see me again at the end of july to re-asses the situation, but said i could need further laser correction. The team at leeds are very sympathetic and very professional and i am confident we will get the required result. I will post again after next visit at end july. regards to all, marshall.

treatment laser requir again july further sympathetic show team professional marshall ass confident situation appointment outside months said result update

Hi AllI had Lasek at the Leicester clinic last Thursday (01.07.10) and thought i would share my experience with you. I am 39 and my perscription was right eye sph -1.50 right eye cyl -0.25 left eye -1.00 left eye cyl -0.50. I was apprehensive about the surgery as i was told that Lasek though the safest, was more painful and took longer to recover. I choose Lasek because it was the safest. I met the surgeon Tahera Bhojani-Lynch and went through the concerns i had, which were: How painful was it (she answered that it could be very painful in recovery but that i would be supplied with painkillers,painkilling eye drops and sleeping tablets and the best thing to do was to take the sleeping tablets and sleep it off). I also asked when i would be able to drive as i was due back in the office in a weeks time (I was advise that it should be around day four). When i went into surgery, Dr Tahera made sure i was happy and explained what she was doing as she was doing it. Yes it was uncomfortable, but that is all it was. I had 'bandage lenses' put in to protect my eyes until i went for my 3-4 day check up. It was over quite quickly and after about 20 minutes i was on my way home with a big bag of medication.As the anaesthetic eye drops wore off, (within about 1 1/2hr) i did feel considerable pain but quickly put some eye drops in and took the sleeping tablets and slept through until the morning. When i work up i didn't feel any pain at all, my eyes felt abit dry and my eye lids were swollen but other than that i was ok, throughout the next couple of days i feel a bit of discomfort (the painkillers provided took that away) and my eye lids when back to normal. Yesterday (monday 05 July) i had my 3-4 day check up and was pleased to be told that i am at driving standard already. I have my next check up next week and feel confident that it will keep improving. I am extremely happy with the treatment i have received, and hope my experience is a help to anyone considering Lasek. :D

lasek feel tablets check next sleeping drops painful surgery happy pain experience quickly until lids safest told tahera eyes painkillers

HiOptimax have now improved their offer.The offer is:-free consultation-£500 off Wavefront treatment (with Lasik or Lasek)-interest free credit.To get this offer simply e mail me for one of the vouchers (it is part of their recommend a friend scheme). I will post the voucher to you free of charge.Please read all my blogs about my amazing eye surgery. Simply click on my user name (StephenB), then click on "Show all posts by this member".I am aged 53, have worn glasses/contact lens since aged 8, and now for the first time ever I have 20/20 vision. Is the best money I ever spent. You won't regret it.StephenB07860 824 598

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Well it was the day i had been waiting for, then again, the day i had been dreading. i couldnt tell if i was more excited or nervous about what i was about to do. Going back, for years and years, laser eye surgery was something i always thought id do one day, never thought i would actually be in a position when i was actually going to do it.Since i was young, or for as long as i can remember, I have always worn glasses, up until i was 21, i decided to go for contact lenses as i no longer felt comfortable or confident wearing glasses. i could never find a pair that suited me, the lenses looked stupid because they were so thick, and because of this, it made my eyes look tiny, i hated it!My eyesite is (left eye 5.5, right eye 5) so as you can imagine, life without contacts or glasses is pretty much impossible.after wearing contacts for a few years, all of a sudden, i developed an eye infection. becuase of this, it caused me to have 2 tiny scars on my right eye, and since then, contacts were difficult and i no longer got along with them as well as i used to. i would have to take them out earler, they'd get dry, and make me feel really tired.Fast forward to a couple of months ago. My friend had a consultation with Optimax, and luckily for him there was a cancellation that week for treatment. before i knew it, he'd had it done and couldnt be more happy, claiming it was the best money he had ever spent!This persuaded me and after a while, and after speaking to a helpful online advisor, i plucked up the courage to go ahead and book myself in for a consultation.The consulatation was straight forward and pretty much an eye test, i was told there and then how much it would be, and all the options available to me for the treatment.I decided to go all out, with the Lasik, Intralase and Wavefront. After all, you only get 1 set of eyes, and its going to change my life.I booked myself in for the 24th july as i can only make it on a saturday, i was hoping to get it earlier but saturdays were very busy as expected.After looking online, i noticed that optimax did a Standby appointment service, where you can pick a date, and if someone cancels an appoinment, you will be called and you appoinment changed. i spoke to an online advisor, asking if he could put my name down incase a saturday pops up any earlier. Luckily for me, someone had cancelled the evening before and managed to get a booking for the following satuday. i was more than pleased!The 10th had a arrived, i woke up excited and nervous and soon arrived at the Finchley road clini at 8.45am. it wasnt long before i was taken to a room to have a check on my eyes. It was the usual "look at the airballoon, you'll see some red flashes. look into the blue dot etc..." the usual..afetr filling out some forms and paying the rest of the deposite, i sat down and waitied anxiously until i was called into the laser room. This was the point i got nervous, i sat on a chair and got told to put on a very fetching hair net indeed! The nurse then put some props in my eyes and cleaned them, after 5 minutes, i got called to the treatment bed and layed there.Before i knew it something was placed over my left eye, i wasnt expecting the pressure i got but it didnt hurt, it was just unexpected. this created the flap, and once that eye was done, he oved to the nxt."Right thats the worst part over with" i heard. Thank goodness i thought, if that part was the worse then this is a piece of cake! i then saw a different machine placed above my head, this obviously being the laser. The surgeon plcaed something on my eye to prevent me from blinking,people refer to this as a "the clamp" which is exagerated, its tiny and you dont feel it attatched which was a relief.one eye at a time, i was told to look into the red haze. after about 20 seconds an eye, it was done. the laser part was so so easy, yes you can smell something like everyone says, but its nothing bad. the laser itself was kind of like listening to someone welding, just a sort of "click click" sound (hard to explain).But anyway, straight after, i was told i could sit up and sit in a room by myself for a couple of minutes. a lady then checked my eyes quickly, i was given my bag of medication and told i could go home and rest my eyes.As for getting home, this was the worst part, i had to get the tube with my friend and the sun was so bright i had to close my eyes for most of the way, but after walking into a walll and some bushes later, i made it home lol. i would reccommend anyone, if you can, get someone to pick you up by car as the tube on a busy saturday morning with the sun beaming, isnt the best option in my experience.i went to bed straight away and my eyes were streaming, the feeling was kind of like peeling a few onions, but not being able to rub your eyes afterwards. i then took the "pain" eye drops, applied the eye guards, and slept for a few hours. i woke up and things were a lot better, by eyes had stopped streaming and the feeling had gone.i couldnt believe i could actually see, it was the best feeling in the worls, not having to wake up and the first thing you do is reach for your glasses was brilliant. my vision was a little blurry when looking at text, but this is normal and will improve over time i am told.Today was my aftercare appointment, i turned up and was in and out within 2 minutes litterally. the lady looked into my eyes with a torch (look left, look right, look up etc etc...) and then the "air balloon" image again, and that was it. I was told eveything was ok and my eyes wwere healing fine, i could read the second to bottom line on the chart, but was assured my eyes will improve considerably over the next few daays.So thats where im at now! i have my next check up appointment on tuesday so will see how it goes from there and post an update. so far so good, i am really happy so far and so glad i went for it and had it done.

eyes told laser someone glass saturday done before thought straight call online appointment nervous tiny treatment feeling couldnt check contacts

Hi AllDoes anyone know where to get viscotears from? I can see them on line but haven't seen them in the shops.ThanksRachel

haven thanksrachel line alldoes anyone seen viscotearshi viscotears shops

What do people reccommend for eye drops,ive been told to get "refresh drops", "artificial tears", lubrication drops" (all of which should be preservative free. also "viscotears". Upon searching round 5 different pharmacies today, all i could find was Alergan Lacri-lube. it says to lubricate the eye during or after surgery so i guess its ok, the only annoying thing is that its an ointment rather than drops which are a lot easier im sure you will agree, but its the only one which was preservative free.has anyone used this before? i purchased it from Boots.or where could i find the drops mentioned above?thanks in advance!Terry

drops preservative free purchas guess agree lacri round advance artificial lubrication people alergan mention annoying before reccommend surgery help searching

It works, feared the irreversibility part of it but thankfully no probs at all.Would recommend to anyone, if in genuine, serious doubt that you may be one of the 1% who may have probs then...I'm fairly average and rarely unwell so after 20 odd years (I saw laser correction in the news in the 80's I think) of waiting for the right time I went ahead and got it done at a good price and content that if something did go wrong I could live with it.It really is breathtaking to be able to see in the morn and all through the day without the glasses and lenses burdening my body and mind!

probs price done body burdening wrong irreversibility works positive unwell morn thankfully years genuine recommend anyone laser news able rarely

Had the LASIK intralase wavefront treatment in May and in all honesty I now wish I'd done it years ago. The treatment was almost painless and took all of 5 minutes for both eyes! A bit of discomfort for the first day but by the morning it was almost gone. I now wake up and can see the time on my alarm clock and go to sleep and not worry about contact lenses etc. And no more having to worry about packing contact lenses and solutions when going on holiday!:w00t:If you're like me and have pondered getting it done for a few years dont hesitate and get it done now.:cool:

done contact lenses years worry treatment alarm ponder minutes cool painless having sleep wake morning getting wish hesitate works intralase

Here is a summary of my treatment: I originally went to one of Optimax's competitors, but during the consultation I felt like I was on a conveyor belt, no real personal sevice and they avoided my "risk" questions.Couple months later I went to Optiimax at Canary Wharf in London for a consultation. Very personal, very thorough and gave detailed explanation of my "risk" concerns. My mind was put at rest.I then went home and did some Research on the consultants available and decided to have the treatment at Optimax in Finchley, London.On 9/9/09 I had Intralase Wavefront Lasik Treatment in both eyes. I was short sighted and have astigmatism. Treatment itself was completely painless. Couple hours after treatment I had some discomfort, but never had to take the painkillers I was given.Day 2 I had one bloodshot eye and it was slightly sore (felt a bit like a contact lens that has dried up).Day 3 I had a follow up test...vision already the same as when I wore contacts.Day 7 and vision is now 20/20. No discomfort whatsoever. Having treatment was one of the best things I have ever done.Day 14 and I feel like I have experienced a miracle. daytime and night time vision is better than I ever had with glasses or contact lens.Here I am 3 weeks later, all the sport I do tennis/football/golf is so much better with my "new eyes". I am really looking forward to going on holiday next month to a hot country, when normally I would suffer from dry eyes with contact lens.November?.just been on holiday and it was wonderful not to have to suffer from dry eyes with my contact lens. The clarity of my vision was really highlighted on my trip.December and is fantastic how I can see all the Christmas decorations and lights so clear and colourful. On 20 Dec had my 3 month check up, both eyes confirmed at 20/20 vision and both have healed completely. Everything about this surgery has exceeded my expectations.March, have just returned from a skiing trip. Once again having had laser eye surgery has given me yet more benefits. I was able to see the awesome view of the Alps in crystal clear vision for the very first time. And I was much better able to read the pistes and plot my journey, avoiding ice and other dangers. This was my best ever ski trip.Haven't mentioned this before but I am also a football referee, refereeing in amateur leagues in Surrey. Let me just say I am having my best ever season, so much easier to make those decisions when your eyesight is 20/20. It's now April and enjoying the beautiful colours of spring.It's now May and enjoying swimming in the outdoor pool at my health club, another activity which is so much better without contact lens.It's now June and am really enjoying the World Cup, it's fantastic to be able to view the TV screen in the pub no matter how far away I am . Oh the joys of 20/20 vision.It's now August and am still enjoying the outdoor life. Currently doing some football coaching with school kids at summer camp. Great to be able to be outdoors come rain or shine and not have to wear contact lens or glasses.Having laser eye surgery was the best money I ever spent, and I will save money over the coming years by not having to buy glasses and contacts lens.POTENTIAL PATIENTSI still have some £500 off vouchers and am happy to post to you completely free of charge.The voucher offer is:-free consultation-£500 off Wavefront treatment (with Lasik or Lasek)-interest free credit.To get this offer simply e mail me for one of the vouchers (it is part of their recommend a friend scheme). I will post the voucher to you free of charge.Please read all my blogs about my amazing eye surgery. Simply click on my user name (StephenB), then click on "Show all posts by this member".I am aged 53, have worn glasses/contact lens since aged 8, and now for the first time ever I have 20/20 vision. Is the best money I ever spent. You won't regret it.StephenBmcfcfan@btinternet.com

vision lens treatment ever contact eyes having glass able surgery free enjoying football completely money consultation trip post month discomfort

hi every one, I visited the leeds clinic for my 8 month consultation, my left eye is still no good and is very blurry. The consultant advised I wait another 8weeks to ensure all healing had finished and would then deceide what retreat should be considered. It is very uncomfortable at the moment with both eyes seeing different, but i am certain that acceptable results will be the ultimate . The curtisy and professionalism shown by OPTIMAX has been very good and i will update you all on my progress after my next appointment at the end of october. regards to all MM.

update month eyes advis deceide blurry clinic moment consultation next progress ultimate leeds ensure professionalism retreat curtisy consider appointment consultant

Given the positive and negative posts on this site I thought I should share my experience of Optimax. Optimax definitely gave the most impartial and most comprehensive information pre-operatively and i have been amazed at how courteous and caring they are at my post-op appointments. Mr Samuels - my surgeon - is a leading expert in the field and i cannot rate him highly enough.I wanted laser surgery so that i could play sports and live life with more confidence - if i lost my glasses i found it difficult to find them again! My prescription was -7 and -5 with -1 astigmatism so was given realistic expections about probably still needing glasses as i was so short sighted.However, fingers crossed so far, i have achieved 20/20 vision within 2 weeks (although this can still get better or worse). I was driving standard straight after the op! I experience quite a lot of haziness in direct sunlight and night vision is not great yet but this should improve soon.When people say it is a revelation i know what they mean now! I thought i would miss wearing my glasses - but not so! I can see myself to wash in the shower, can see the bedside clock, can wear NORMAL sunglasses - i can't wait to go skiing with normal goggles this winter!!!All thanks to optimax. I was anxious about the small risks involved, but sometimes if you don't go for it, you'll never experience the freedom!:cool:

experience optimax glass normal vision thought share wear life haziness positive straight play live expections thanks mean risks operatively confidence

I had treatment this summer at the Hove clinic after 25 years of glasses and contact lenses wearing. The team there were excellent. After treatment my vision is now 20/20 and I can't recommend it highly enough. When I talk to friends who still wear glasses/lenses, they seem put off by the thought of the 'surgery'. I can only compare it to something like having a filling done at the dentist. It's a bit strange and uncomfortable (most of which is psychological) but over in 20 minutes after which you think "what was all the fuss about". My advice to anyone currently wavering is to stop finding excuses and get it done!!

treatment hove glass lenses done strange wavering highly finding years uncomfortable filling recommend friends psychological dentist summer compare minutes excuses

Hi I had Lasik wavefront at Southampton back in june this year- after twice yes twice bottling out- the previous attempt getting as far as laying on the couch at Optical Express in Reading and as one eye was taped shut and the machine came closer I had a massive panic attack and burst into tears...this time I knew i couldnt make a fool out of myself again ( those poor patients awaiting their treatment probably had panic attacks of thier own seeing me coming out crying) and I booked the treatment following a successful pre- test ( knowing what was coming definatley helped- i wasnt so nervous this time)on the big day i made sure i took a valium which did seem to make me a bit calmer and when they called me in i just told myself to think of the thousands of people that had done this with great results and not to be such a big babyeveryone knows by reading these posts more or less what the procedure itself entails-wierd feeling and lots of looking at lights- the wierdest feeling of all is when you realise the surgeon is actually doing things to your eye but you cant feel it- bit like wearing glasses and someone else is cleaning them!my prescrip wasnt high -2.25 both eyes so the procedure only took 14 secs on one eye and 17 secs on the other and about 15 mins in totalhubby drove me home after and i was waiting for the drops to wear off and the stinging to start- it didnt. it never did. not the next day or since. nothing at all no pain whatsoeverbit of a chore dealing with all the drops and stuff for the next week or so but you know you have to do it .was a real relief when i didnt have to wear the eye shields at night- although funnily enough i slept really well in them!!outcome is my long distance vision is perfect. 20/10 !! due to my age i do have to wear glasses for reading and computer work which i was aware of before the treatment although for the first few weeks i was annoyed and disapointed just how often i would be reaching fo r the specs- texts on the mobile phone, letters, instructions on bottles, even in the supermarket looking at labels. this has improved- dont need them for shopping anymore but do for everything else. great to be able to drive without glasses and watching tv. yes i get slight ghosting and glare but not enough to regret anything. nice to go out for an evening and not feel half of my face is obscured by my specs, great to go out in the rain and see!!!recommend this to anyone, i know everyone says it- but i wish i had done it years ago before i needed glasses, but i understand newbie's concerns- no one had them more than me!ps Southampton Branch really good, no problems, bit of a conveyor belt atmosphere but as i got a half price deal i aint complaining!!I am very proud of me.

glass reading treatment wear great coming specs myself else done lasik half feel didnt looking procedure next before secs twice

Here is a summary of my treatment and the last 12 months: I originally went to one of Optimax's competitors, but during the consultation I felt like I was on a conveyor belt, no real personal sevice and they avoided my "risk" questions.Couple months later I went to Optiimax at Canary Wharf in London for a consultation. Very personal, very thorough and gave detailed explanation of my "risk" concerns. My mind was put at rest.I then went home and did some Research on the consultants available and decided to have the treatment at Optimax in Finchley, London.On 9/9/09 I had Intralase Wavefront Lasik Treatment in both eyes. I was short sighted and have astigmatism. Treatment itself was completely painless. Couple hours after treatment I had some discomfort, but never had to take the painkillers I was given.Day 2 I had one bloodshot eye and it was slightly sore (felt a bit like a contact lens that has dried up).Day 3 I had a follow up test...vision already the same as when I wore contacts.Day 7 and vision is now 20/20. No discomfort whatsoever. Having treatment was one of the best things I have ever done.Day 14 and I feel like I have experienced a miracle. daytime and night time vision is better than I ever had with glasses or contact lens.Here I am 3 weeks later, all the sport I do tennis/football/golf is so much better with my "new eyes". I am really looking forward to going on holiday next month to a hot country, when normally I would suffer from dry eyes with contact lens.November?.just been on holiday and it was wonderful not to have to suffer from dry eyes with my contact lens. The clarity of my vision was really highlighted on my trip.December and is fantastic how I can see all the Christmas decorations and lights so clear and colourful. On 20 Dec had my 3 month check up, both eyes confirmed at 20/20 vision and both have healed completely. Everything about this surgery has exceeded my expectations.March, and I have just returned from a skiing trip. Once again having had laser eye surgery has given me yet more benefits. I was able to see the awesome view of the Alps in crystal clear vision for the very first time. And I was much better able to read the pistes and plot my journey, avoiding ice and other dangers. This was my best ever ski trip.Haven't mentioned this before but I am also a football referee, refereeing in amateur leagues in Surrey. Let me just say I am having my best ever season, so much easier to make those decisions when your eyesight is 20/20.It's now April, wish it was a bit warmer, but enjoying the beautiful colours of spring.It's now May and enjoying swimming in the outdoor pool at my health club, another activity which is so much better without contact lens.It's now June, am looking forward to watching the World Cup and being able to view the TV screen in the pub no matter how far away, Oh the joys of having 20/20 vision.It's now August and am still enjoying the outdoor life. Currently doing some football coaching with school kids at summer camp. Great to be able to be outdoors come rain or shine and not have to wear contact lens or glasses.September and went for my 1 year check up at Optimax (by coincidence on the exact anniversary of treatment 9/9), amazingly my sight had improved again. Consultant said my eyes had healed perfectly and I was now officially discharged.Having laser eye surgery was money well spent, and I will save money over the coming years by not having to buy glasses and contacts lens.And potential patients I still have some £500 off vouchers for treatment at any Optimax branch:Optimax have now improved their offer.The offer is:-free consultation-£500 off Wavefront treatment (with Lasik or Lasek)-interest free credit.To get this offer simply e mail me for one of the vouchers (it is part of their recommend a friend scheme). I will post the voucher to you free of charge.stephen bmcfcfan@btinternet.com

treatment lens vision contact having eyes optimax ever able enjoying trip surgery consultation glass football free offer sight risk months

hi, it is now 9 months since my treatment. My right eye is good, but left eye is still no good(very blurred.) At last consultation at optimax they said it seemed that i would require enhancement treatment, but they thought it wise to wait another 8 weeks to ensure healing had completed. Optimex are very confident that my final results will be up to my expectations. Next visit is end october so i will update you all then. Regards to all mm.

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HiI still have some optimax vouchers.What Optimax offer with your voucher:-free consultation-the best treatment in the UK-competitive price, and £500 off with voucher-interest free credit-free after care.You can read all my blogs on my own successful treatment.For the voucher simply e mail me your name and address.regardsstephen Bmcfcfan@btinternet.com

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I had my third follow up session on Friday and my sight is still assessed as 'better than 20/20'. I have had no problems with my eyes and am still amazed with sharpness when viewing objects in the distance. After having worn glasses for driving for many,many years it is great not having to wear them when driving my car or riding my motorcyle. Looking forward to buying some decent wraparound shades;)

driving having riding friday buying distance worn assess three years third forward shades wear sharpness better problems great motorcyle months

In July 2010 I attended Optimax with whom I had opted for sameday consultation/procedure. I also opted to have eyes corrected for distance vision. The team at Optimax (Finchley road) were extremely friendly and was asked to confirm my chosen options several time upto and imediately prior to the procedure being performed.The procedure was performed mid afternoon and about 30 minutes after the procedure I was able to go home. Upon reaching Victoria, I looked at the station announcement boards and WOW! for the first time in 20plus years I could read them, albeit a little hazy.The following morning I looked out of the window and again WOW! I could read car registration plates on the other side of the road and 3 houses down.

procedure look perform road optimax opt sameday eyes again distance team immediate station confirm whom registration albeit improvementin ask prior

:)was -4.75 in both eyes had most evasive treatment due to thin corneas,must admit was in a lot of pain but was given eye drops and sleeping tablets to get me through first 24 hours.now 20/20 and vision sharpening.cannot rate staff highly enough really friendly and professional have shown up for aftercare appointments really early but seen straight away.staff cannot do enough for you.definitely do research and listen to all advice given check other clinics for price comparison but i will be paying for my daughter when she turns 18 at this clinic.if you read this staff from birmingham thankyou for a nice experience.:)

staff cannot birmingham treatment given straight friendly shown highly drops paying early definitely check clinics comparison seen listen turns advice

I have worn spectacles since the age of 7 (currently 52 and counting) and had +2.5 and astigmatism in both eyes. For the past 4 years I had worn varifocals (for reading - its an age thing!) and hated them. I did not undergo this treatment for cosmetic purposes, purely practical.Initially I went with a recommendation from a friend to another laser clinic, I received almost exactly the same free consultation experience which was good until it came to the cost,they should really sit you down before they tell you the total cost. Somewhat disappointed, and still with dilated pupils from the consultation, I navigated the internet found Optimax and gave them a call the same day.The examination was almost identical and the options matched the first clinics - I opted for the Lasik with Intralase and to correct my astigmatism the wavefront option. Treatment was good, the Intralase was the only part where I felt a little discomfort, not pain though, and this was the suction on the eye but only for 20 seconds or so each eye. This is followed by the main laser which corrected my vision in 2 stages per eye each lasting 20 -30 seconds completely painless. Clear eye guards are applied and you walk back to the waiting room accompanied but unaided. 10 -15 mintues later a final examination by the surgeon and quick briefing about the drops, anti-inflamatories, anti-biotics, artificial tears and just in case some anaesthetic drops, and home.The first night was a little like peeling onions in a sand storm but I never needed the anaesthetic drops. I slept well with eye guards and awoke at 6.00am with perfect vision, amazing .My check up the next day confirmed I had 20/20 vision. It has just got better as time has gone by and for me I now notice how good my vision is compared to people that believe they have good vision.I will have my final check up in a couple of weeks and should be discharged from the clinic, I work in the NHS and took advice before I attended the clinic - in my humble opinion it has been a very good outcome for me.Mark G

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hi, i saw consultant end october. She confirmed that all healing was now complete and we should now be looking at an enhancment . I will be having a complete retest at the end of november, followed by a meeting with the doctor to confirm next treatment. I must again compliment the leeds team, on the way they have all treated me, and they remain very confident of a positive result . i will keep you posted after next consultation (end nov)

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Very worthwhile experience. I just forget I don't need glasses anymore. One more aftercare session to come. Might still consider glasses for TV - just need a slight nudge there. Though no comparison with the way my sight was previously; couldnt even read massive print without specks and had given up even attmpting to put on eyemakeup.

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I had my laser eye surgery in 2005 at Optimax in Leicester.I had after care appointments and mentioned my problems (halos' ghosting, starbursts etc).I was told that things would eventually settle down.I was discharged in 2007 (while still having problems) and was told that if my eye problems didn't get better eventually I should see my GP as my problems were not down to my laser eye surgery - I was told it was due to dry eyes by the Optimax optometrist who couldn't wait to get rid of me.Since then I have being seeing NHS consultants for the last 3 years as my vision is so poor.This year I was referred to Moorefields Eye Hospital in London. To my amazement my eyes were scanned and I was told that all my current problems were due to my original eye surgery - something that Opimax kept telling me was not the case. Moorefields have also told me that in their opinion there is nothing that can now be done. The issue that Moorefields found was that not all of my cornea had been treated and my pupils were dilating pass the treatment zone. I would love to be in the same position as many of the people on this forum, where they have had no problems with their treatment. But there are also people like me out there, people with whom things appear to have gone horribly wrong.In deciding whether to have laser eye surgery people need to make an informed decision. Yes, 95% of the time the treatment goes well. But would you really like to be in the other 5% where you may have to live with poor vision for the rest of your life.

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Its been 3 months now and i have just been signed off with 20/20 vision, i would recommend this procedure to anyone ,its amazing how fast you forget that you ever wore glasses or contacts. The procedure itself was pain free, it was uncomfortable for 2 days after (but you have enough medication to help out) but now its worth it ,lasik heals faster than lasek(which i had ) and it was not clear vision straight away , you cant drive for quite a while and need to go straight to bed in a darkened room when you get back from having the procedure done ,dont be put off by scare stories because it has made my life alot easier a better .;)

procedure vision straight months days life heals having contacts cant recommend help ever uncomfortable scare easier anyone leicesterits clear sign

My Story ... so farI had LASIK surgery wth Intralase and Wavefront at the Birmingham clinic on Friday 5th Nov 2010.The procedure itself is PAIN FREE, the only discomfort during the process was the machine clamping onto my eye.I had both eyes done at the same time, and it took just under 30 minutes (thats from being called from waiting room, discussion with nurse over eye drops to the actual surgery).After the surgery I had reasonable vision, although I could hardly see clearly due to the tears streaming out (this is normal) of my eyes, so on with the shades and I was waiting to for a post-op check with the optician. All was OK and was told to go home.My eyes started to become sore / uncomfortable a few hours later (the anesthetic eye drops were waring off) but still NO PAIN.At my aftercare my left eye was still blurry and could not see crystal clear, but that was normal. My second aftercare was brought forward a few days to Tuesday 9th November 2010, and I could see an improvment in my left eye, though not perfectly clear it is still getting better and will keep getting better over the next few weeks.Next aftercare is on 20th November 2010.

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HiI recently had treatment at Leicester branch. The whole process from consultation to treatment and subsequent aftercare has been second to none. I had my doubts prior to surgery but the staff were fantastic. I was not pressured and I was left to make my own choice. My own treatment may need to be repeated in one eye due to the way it has healed but I am getting all the support should that be the case.I would definately recommend Optimax to anyone who is considering laser eye surgery

treatment surgery fantastic heal pressur experiencehii anyone subsequent support optimax repeate staff recently aftercare leicester laser choice branch process consultation

Hi, I just wanted to start a thread, as there are very few personal experience's on the net from people who have had Epi - Lasek as apposed to Lasik. I wont talk about the procedure itself as pretty much everyones experience is the same - Very quick, no pain, little discomfort, I was more than prepared for the pain and discomfort that would follow the procedure but was fortunate to have an easy time, just a couple of hours stinging - shampoo in the eyes kind of feeling, but if I kept my eyes shut it really wasnt that bad, I didnt need to take the anesthetic eye drops, managed ok with just ibruprofen and paracetamol.I just wanted to make people aware that the 7-14 day estimated recovery period, really doesnt mean that after 14 days max you are healed (I grossly underestimated the recovery period with this procedure) dont get me wrong after 6 days I felt confident to drive (without glasses) something I have never been able to do since obtaining my licence, and I can see alot further and a lot clearer - with both eyes together than I have ever been able to without glasses - so whats she moaning about I hear you ask - well - I'll start at the beginning, in the 1st four days following the procedure (prior to having the contact lens out) the first thing I noticed was that I could see a car number plate across the road with my left eye, but my right was pretty poor, I could see to function around the house but couldnt see much detail, lights were blinding, especially at night, on 3rd day I went for a woodland walk, as I stepped out the car I could see every stone on the floor, edge to every leaf but as I started walking I had the wierdest sensation that I was taller and the floor was that bit further away, this made me really nauseous and It wasnt long before I gave up and returned home. At this point I still couldnt tolerate watching tv, pc or txting and boredom was seriously beginning to set in. Day 4, the contact lens were took out, I hoped that at this point I might lose that greasy contact lens surreal feel to my vision, but I didn't. After the optician took out the lens he asked what I could read on the letter chart, oddly I found that I could read further down with my right now instead of my left, but neither of them were that great and I could only see half way down the chart. He told me to return for a check up in 10 days.Over the next 10 days the vision in my right eye continued to get better and better, either overtaking and showing up my left or my left started to deteriorate im unsure which, I still had that greasy contact lens view out of both in particular my left, I had alot of headache, eye strain type of pains also in my left eye and im not sure if this was attributed to the inbalance between the eyes. Working was difficult, as I work mainly late shifts and now the dark winter nights are here, I spent the majority of my shifts under artifical florescent lighting, which was really hard work. going into supermarkets/ shops was also difficult, way to bright, everything still had that surreal kind of look to it and I found I couldn't scan the isles like I used to - as if it was to much information for my eyes to take in - if that makes sense and would give me an aching pain in the back of the eyes.After 10 days I returned for my check (2 weeks following surgery) The optician said my eyes were healing well, my vision is how he would expect them to be at this stage, as im only 50% healed, he did say that the surface was still rough and would smooth out over the coming months and as it does, I will start getting better, sharper vision. He also said that there was no perscription registering in my right eye but I am slightly long sighted in my left - something he expects to resolve as they continue to heal - having always been shortsighted, I believed long sighted to be good distance vision but not so good close up, not sure how that works in my case because my left is not good a distance of close up. He has told me to return in 6 weeks time when he will expect me to be 80% healed. Now at 1 day off 3 weeks I do not feel there has been much change, my right eye remains very good, sharp vision and my left poor at both distance and close up, one thing I have noticed today whilst walking the dog is that the glazey surreal feel has almost gone. I will keep this thread updated with my progress, I just really hope my left eye starts showing some improvement soon, as my right eye is fantastic, so sharp and I know that If my left ends up anywhere near its standard of vision im going to be one happy lady ----- Just be-aware if you are about to have this procedure you need to be prepared for a long recovery period and patience is a must.x Wendy

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This is my honest experience. I had Intralase Lasik Wavefront in Birmingham in August 2010. I had quite a high prescription 5.5 and 5.0. The procedure was painless. When the pain relief wore off I did experience pain, but they do give you pain relief drops if you feel you need them. The pain was certainly not unbearable, it was a strong stinging sensation. I will say here that I do have a very low pain threshold (sorry but I am a wimp:D). The drops did provide instant relief and I then slept through the night. The following day the pain had gone. My eyes were a little sore, a bit like having left contact lenses in for too long. This soon wore off and the eye drops that are prescribed help with this. I can honestly say that after 24 hours all pain and discomfort had gone. I returned for my check up the following day and was told my eye sight was well above driving standard. (I have been wearing glasses since I was 13, am now 43!). I have avoided driving in the dark until recently, as I did find the headlights of other cars a bit glary. I could drive but it gave me a headache as the lights were still a bit bright. I am now fine & have no problems driving. The only thing I have that is worse than before is reading and seeing close up. I was told by Optimax that because my prescription was so strong and due to my age, that I would have to wear glasses for reading. I will say this is getting better. I bought the lowest over the counter prescription reading glasses I could about 2 days after the procedure. I work for an accoutant, so I do do alot of book keeping, number and computer work. Now, however, I hardly ever use the reading glasses. I do find it harder to read first thing in the morning and last thing at night but this is still improving all the time. (It is now 11.30 pm and I am not wearing glasses to type this). As with everyone else I do have vouchers for £500, or I can forward the details of anyone interested directly to Optimax for them to contact you directly and give you the discount. I am totally happy with the treatment I have received, at what I feel was a very reasonable price. The staff were all very friendly, professional and well informed. I am happy to talk to anyone who is considering this and needs a little reassurance. Hope this helps. RegardsMitch

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I had my surgery in September so am still adjusting and still have to use eye drops as I suffer from dry eyes.This is one of my life changing moments and I would do it all over again - I wish I had done it years ago. Reading some blogs on here it is very clear that improvements are being made all the time with procedures and I had a great experience.I will say though that I was so upset with my waiting time on the day of surgery. I was booked in for 4pm and if I wasn't nervous enough the 4 hour wait made it 100 times worse. As it goes the surgery was amazing, such a bizare feeling and so bloody quick!I still have regular check ups as part of my after care and have 20 20 vision, they are great with providing drops and everything I need.I have £500 off wavefront surgery if you email me I will send you one.

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Hi, I had epilasek 4 weeks ago this Thursday, my right eye is superb but my left has been dragging behind a bit, I was using refresh drops until my 2 week appointment when the optician suggested I start using viscotears as they are a gel and longer lasting. I dont necessarily feel as though my eyes are dry, perhaps in the morning a bit. I have been using the viscotears 4 x per day as a precautionary measure. Whilst in a chemist a couple of days ago I noticed some refresh drops behind the counter so I bought some (because not many chemists stock them) and the individual little pipets are handy when your out and about, What I noticed when I put them in my left eye was that everything became clear, the blurriness had gone - but only for a brief second and then it was back to blurry, has anyone else experienced this? it has given me hope as surely if the vision is there and clear, even for just a short period of time then it should come perminently eventually. I have therefore come to the conclusion that my left eye is dragging alittle because its dry and maybe the viscotears arent helping much but the refresh drops are very short acting, can anyone suggest any other eye drops for me to try at the point? Any advise would be appreciated

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hi, Now my eyes have stablised my consultant has arranged a full examination prior to enhancement surgery in Jan. At the moment it seems i have monovision(left eye can read whilst right one is good for distance). after enhancement both eyes will do distance (2m.plus)but i will require reading glasses. Has any one else been in this situation and gone on to have enhancement or did your eyes adapt to the new situation?I must again express my thanks to all the staff at the Leeds branch for the very professional and sympathetic way my case has been dealt with, and i will post again after examination in dec. regard to all. mm

eyes enhancement again examination situation distance regard staff leeds plus dealt post professional adapt full monovision month case prior surgery