Where do I Start? Left eye -6.5, right -4.5 (with mild astigmatism). Started wearing glasses when I was 11 years old (that was 37 years ago)eventually progressing to disposables in my early 20's.
I'd been thinking about laser surgery for about 5 years, but stories of variable success rates with accompanying pain and discomfort for protracted periods all served to disuade me from taking the plunge. The article that appeared in the Daily Mail earlier this year was the turning point, that and the testimonies on this web sight. I cogitated while on summer hols in Turkey until finally the benefits it could bring to scuba diving convinced me to go for a consultation on the 2nd September with the treatment on the 3rd, assuming I got on ok on the 2nd.
It's invidious to single out staff for special praise as they are all excellent at The Centre for Sight, however, as the first person I spoke to and subsequently met, Nicky you are a great advert for the centre.I'd also mention Carolina, who's also been great - both helpful and informative with a nice line in humour.
Mr.Daya gave me the go ahead - being both reassuring and realistic about the likely outcome recommending the tissure saving procedure everything using lasers.
Saturday arrived and I was extremely nervous - still the sedatives I was given shortly after arrival certainly helped. I was at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for about 3 1/2 hours from start to finish although it didn't seem as long as that. A succession of eye drops and finally to the operating theatre. The procedure itself was a bit unnerving but pain free and only a little uncomfortable. When I sat up the first thing I saw was the clock - WOW! After a brief stay in the recovery room it was time to go home. That's when the discomfort really started as the anaesthetic began to wear off. I'd describe it as feeling as if you've had soap squirted in your eyes and at the same time someone is jabbing you in the eye with a pencil!
That lasted for about 4 hours and sleep, as recommended, did not come at all readily.
Once the discomfort subsided I drifted off into sleep and as morning arrived I opened my eyes and pain/discomfort free caught my breath. After approaching 40 years I could now see with no artificial aid.
It's now 5 weeks on and I have 20.20 vision in my right eye and 20.15 in my left. I'm also one of the lucky ones in that my long sight, which has been creeping up on me over the past 3 years or so, has also been substantially improved to the point where I don't need reading glasses. My only slight citicism is a mild halo effect around artificial lights but I'm told this should alleviate over the next few months.
All in all an absolutely fantastic result and I'm still pinching myself to make sure it isn't a dream.
If anyone reading this is thinking of having the procedure, it may not be cheap, but they are your eyes and I would unhesitatingly strongly recommend The Centre for Sight.
Thankyou all at the Centre.