I had worn contact lenses for over twenty years and during this time had increasingly followed the research into laser surgery. I always used to think how wonderful it would be to be free of contact lenses and glasses. I was extremely shortsighted, my right eye was -7.00 with an additional astigmatism of -1.50 making an overall prescription of -8.50. My left eye was -7.00 with an astigmatism of -2.00 so giving a prescription of -9.00. So without lenses or glasses my vision was poor at best. I also had a prism requirement, my prescription for this being -2.

About eighteen years ago I had a partial detached retina in my right eye. One of my on-going concerns with laser treatment was the risk of a further detachment due to the necessary pressure that is applied to the eye during the procedure.

However,upon becoming totally intolerant of wearing contact lenses early last year due to the onset of dryness in my eyes and not being happy with the transition to wearing glasses full-time, in June 2004 I went for a consultation at the Midland Eye Clinic to enquire about laser surgery. The upshot was that after an examination I was informed I was not suitable for laser surgery as my corneas were too thin. I was devastated as I had set my hopes so high on this treatment however, obviously not at the cost of jeopardising the vision I had.

Not being one to give up easy I made further enquiries and saw another eye consultant, forever hopeful of finding a resolve to this obstacle and of being able to ditch or reduce my dependence on glasses.

During this time, the name Accuvision came up in the same sentence as 'on the leading edge of technology'. Being female I admit to not being technical and do not often understand the way technical things work. However I DO know advances are being made all the time moreover, that my best shot of obtaining my goal was to seek advice from an clinic I had heard to be at the forefront of technical advances.

Accordingly, I attended Accuvision in London last June for a free consultation. What initially struck me was the calm, therapeutic ambience of the clinic. There was nothing cold and clinical about it.

My consultation was with Vik. It was thorough, I was not rushed and I was given every opportunity to ask as many questions as I wanted until I happily understood the answers. Moreover, Vik's manner was extremely kind, personable and professional but most importantly he was open and honest too about the potential risks of laser.

I had tried not to get my hopes up about Accuvision accepting me as a suitable candidate for laser however, I was over the moon when Vik told me that my previous detachment placed me at no further risk than any other myopic patient due to the years which had since passed since my detachment and the way it had healed. Further, due to having the most modern laser and way in which the laser procedure is conducted by Accuvision, my corneal thickness would not present as a problem either. My corneal thickness was 525 microns (right eye) and 534 microns ( left eye). My pupils were 7.0mm.

I understand that British Medical regulations dictate a corneal thickness should not be reduced below 270 microns per eye. I understood from my consultation, that Accuvision like to maintain a thickness of at least 300 microns per eye whenever possible, thus building in an extra 'safety buffer'.

I felt so assured by the openness and honesty that was imparted to me during my consultation that on 1st July 2004 I underwent the Accuwave LASIK treatment.

On the day, any anxiety or nerves seem to be predominantly overtaken by my excitement of hopefully reducing my dependence on glasses. Vik was as personable as when we first met, along with Mike who genuinely took an interest in all clients and who was so approachable and friendly. Before the procedure, Nick Jacobs the surgeon introduced himself and I couldn't believe how friendly, patient and reassuring he was too (this has not always been my experience with surgeons).

The procedure itself was fine, I truly felt nothing at all and it was all so quick. The only thing I did feel at one time was a pressure on my one eye, outside of this I honestly felt nothing. I appreciate some guys out there will equate such a procedure to having your head chopped off, but to normally anxious guys and to fellow females, from my own experience, I can honestly say the procedure is totally painfree.

I stayed in a hotel in London overnight and had to have the requisite hourly eye drops. The next morning I returned to the clinic and had the 'bandage lenses' (normal contact lenses) removed - again painfree. Then that was it! I was off home.

At my first weeks check up my left eye was 20/20 and remains so today. My right eye had a residual -.75 myopia giving an unaided vision equivalent to the driving standards but not the 20/20 desired.The corneal thickness in both eyes was still over 300 microns.

As such, in October 2004 I underwent an enhancement procedure on my right eye as due to the techniques of tissue conservation that were undertaken in the first procedure there was sufficent corneal thickness to safely carry out the enhancement. I understand that this is due to the kind of laser used by Accuvision which removes less corneal tissue and allows for a thinner 'flap'to be lifted than other lasers used in the UK.

The enhancement resulted in giving my right eye better than 20/20 vision.

I was realistic in my expectations of laser surgery. I would have been delighted to have just substantailly reduced my dependence on glasses but to obtain the result I did was indeed the gift of sight. Further, whilst I do not know how it is possible, my reliance on my prisms has been substantially reduced.

All further follow up appointments have since been at the Solihull clinic which opened at the end of last year. My primary care there is through Nick Dash who is extremely personable, professional and approachable.

I waited some months before submitting my comments to this website as I wished to give readers an opinion of the aftercare offered by Accuvision aswell as the procedure itself.

Whilst I do not intend to in any way suggest that Accuvision is some sort of miracle clinic, I truly cannot speak highly enough of their expertise and the care and service they provide both pre and post op.

If you are considering laser surgery then think long and hard and take on board any potential risks, for any kind of surgery carries a degree of risk. Further,you may pay slightly more at Accuvision however I feel you are being assured of the best treatment and of being treated as a person, not just as a number.