I never got on with glasses: they always made me feel sick and disoriented, and distorted my vision. I certainly wouldn't have driven in them. For 25 years I wore contact lenses instead. And then, one day, one tore in my eye and I thought - "Blimey, how would I cope if I couldn't wear my lenses for a while????" So I started investigating laser treatment. I visited two of the major advertised providers and, although they seemed competent, I felt 'processed' and rushed along on their high-street conveyor belt-style operations. I then got lucky by finding Accuvision on this website. I visited the Fulham clinic where my husband and I were very reassured by the professional and friendly optometrist (thanks, Joan!) and the extremely thorough investigation and battery of tests undertaken. All our questions were answered -- and it was suggested that Monovision would be the best way to proceed as I was beginning to need reading glasses for close work as well as glasses for distance. It was clearly explained to me that my stronger eye would be adjusted to give me excellent distance vision, and the weaker eye would be adjusted to give me the vision I needed for close work. My brain would automatically adjust to give me the vision I needed in every situation. I decided that I would go ahead. And then the crunch question -- how much would it cost? Answer: with Accuvision, about 30% - 50% less than the other providers I had visited.

And no, it absolutely did not hurt one bit. It wouldn't be fair to say that I didn't feel a thing or that it was a totally pleasant experience. But it was weird, not painful, and I think a great deal of my personal discomfort was from not being in control of what was happening. And the actual operation only lasted seconds : -- "Keep your head very still now!" "Watch the green light in the middle - the green light is your friend here" "You'll see a blue light now, just keep still." "That's it, all done." I got up, walked out and after a short rest and a check, I went home, in a fuzzy blur (but could already see more than I had on the way in without my lenses!). Following instructions, I put drops in my eyes every two hours which alleviated the slightly gritty feeling (down to the plastic protective lenses left in my eyes for 36 hours). And so to sleep, sporting the fetching 'plastic fly' glasses to avoid rubbing my eyes. Hmmm, I wasn't too upset to see the back of those after a couple of nights!

24 hours later, I could see fuzzily: and once the plastic shields were removed on the Monday following the Friday operation, I could see well. I was reading and watching tv comfortably on Monday night, drove again on the Wednesday and by my one-week check had very good vision.

A couple of months on, I can see better in all situations than I have ever done: I can switch from reading the shirts at the far end of the Highbury pitch (very important to me!) to reading small print in the programme with the greatest of ease. I read (even in semi-darkness), paint, put on my make-up, use the computer, drive by day and at night without any problems at all. I do still need to use the drops before I go to sleep and in the morning, to alleviate a slight 'tired eyes' feeling.

For me, this operation has been hugely successful, and I enthusiastically recommend both the operation and Accuvision. If you are considering laser surgery, do take the time to visit several providers and do go for the most advanced technique offered - don't make compromises with your sight. There is a reason these things are invented -- and it is to do it better. And don't make your final decision based solely on cost criteria -- go to the company who make you feel most confident in their knowledge and capabilities. For me (and many others -- judging by the numbers of patients in their efficiently and friendly clinic) that is Accuvision.