Moorfields Eye Hospital Private Clinic

I had Wavefront Lasik treatment at Moorfields with Julian Stevens about five years ago. I went there for a second opinion after having had ordinary Lasik elsewhere and I was very unhappy with the result. I booked a consultation with Mr Stevens and after lots of tests he said I was an ideal candidate for their Wavefront study (Wavefront was new at the time). I had a lot of aberrations in my eyes, meaning the surface was very uneven which is why my vision was rubbish. To cut a long story short, I had Wavefront in one eye to start with and after I got home and had a sleep, I woke up to perfect vision in that eye. It was amazing and it's what should have happened the first time. I went back as soon as possible to have the second eye done, and my vision has been great ever since. I do get some halos around car headlights at night but some people get that naturally and I can't remember noticing if I had them pre-Lasik or not. It doesn't affect my ability to drive at night. In my last eye test they told me I had 20/20 eyesight, although I have the ability to see up to 20/10 with glasses if I wanted them. I declined! It seems strange to remember that I used to have to wear glasses all the time. I am so glad I went to Moorfields, I just wish I'd gone there in the first place, and I would recommend Mr Julian Stevens to anyone.

I hadn’t considered laser surgery until earlier this year when I discovered that NHS hospitals also carried out the operations, albeit on a private basis. I was curious to learn more, so requested further information from Moorfields and carried out additional research online. This site was particularly helpful in coming to a decision and preparing for surgery, so I would also like to share my experiences so far. After my initial research I booked a consultation with Dr Gartry at Moorfields in October. I figured that even if I didn’t go ahead, it would be worth £150 for some expert and impartial advice. I’d agree with some earlier posts that Dr Gartry can appear a little brusque, but he answered all the questions I had preprepared in a straightforward and professional manner. From the tests I underwent that morning he told me that I was suitable for surgery but in no way did I feel that he was encouraging me to do so. My prescription was -2.50/-2.25 with no astig, and he said that a reasonable expectation would be for him to achieve a 90% correction (i.e. to around - .25/-.5). Dr. Gartry has a strong preference for LASIK owing to the rapid visual recovery and good results that he has seen (his biog says he has performed more than 11,000 Lasik ops to date.). I came away from the consultation feeling undecided, but reassured that if I did go ahead, I should be a straightforward case for a surgeon of Dr Garty’s experience. I spent a few days trying to weigh the risks and benefits. On the one hand I could wait a few more years for the technology to improve and the risk of complications to diminish, but having reached my mid-thirties I was also keen to enjoy the potential benefits as soon – and for as long - as possible. A few days later, I decided to book a surgery date, still telling myself that I could always pull out up until a week before (when you have to pay) if I changed my mind. About ten days before surgery I did have some serious doubts and I started to convince myself that the whole thing was a bad idea. Around the same time I received a call from Moorfields to say that the surgery needed to be postponed by two days. Although this was annoying, in a strange way it also calmed me down by giving me two more days to reflect, and from that moment I was surprisingly relaxed leading up to the surgery. I had a 9.30am appointment which allowed just enough time to drop the children at school and get to the hospital, but not too much to brood on the impending surgery. The operation takes place on the 4th floor of Moorfields eye hospital. For an eye hospital, it is not the most straightforward place to navigate (I overhead another patient saying he had difficulty finding the ‘low vision’ unit…), and on arrival at the fourth floor a small printed sign pointed Dr Gartry’s patients to a rather small and dingy waiting room. There was no-one to meet and greet or confirm that this was the right place, but a small cardboard box for unwanted specs hinted that we might be on the right track. Finally a nurse did confirm that we were in the right place and that we could make a cup of tea while we waited. A small thing perhaps, but a little bit of human reassurance 10 mins before a significant op wouldn’t have gone amiss. A few minutes later I was called and taken to a surprisingly small room where the surgeon and laser awaited. Dr Garty was masked but I recognised his eyes and distinctive voice and he greeted me cheerfully. Seconds later I was in the chair with the seat reclining. From this moment everything was clearly and calmly explained to me as we went through the procedure. I found Dr Gartry very calm and reassuring throughout and the whole thing was over very quickly (20 mins max). And while I wouldn’t say the operation was pleasant, it was certainly not painful. I had read enough posts (and even watched a u-tube video of an op) to know what was going on and I think this actually helped a bit. The second eye was slightly more uncomfortable, partly because I knew what was coming and partly (as Dr Garty later explained) because the body uses up most of its adrenalin dealing with the first ‘attack’. In any case the whole thing was over remarkably quickly and before I knew it, I was walking down the corridor (in a mist but seeing ok) to run through the aftercare procedures with a nurse. My partner had barely had time to get to Starbucks and back in the time it took me to have the operation. During the 40 minute drive home the anesthetic wore off and my eyes started streaming and stinging and I had to keep them closed behind dark glasses for most of the journey. That was as bad as it got. Once home my eyes were still light sensitive and sore for a few hours but this improved with every dose of the drops. By evening I could see reasonably well, watch a bit of television and make my way very comfortably around the house. The next morning my sight had sharpened to about 90% as many people describe. I had a bit of dryness, and slight haloing around street lamps at night, but my vision was amazingly clear. I took the tube for a brief follow-up appointment with Dr Garty who confirmed that my eyes were healing well and that I could expect a good final result. I’m due to go back in a month or so. I am now 48 hours post-op and I’d say that my sight is pretty close to what it was with contacts or glasses. I drove this morning with no problems and I’ve been reading/using the computer for short periods quite comfortably. Still a long way to go, but so far the results and lack of serious discomfort are pretty remarkable. My eyes are still slightly sore and dry but I was anticipating far worse. If you’re after a shiny 5 star customer experience then perhaps Moorfields isn’t for you. On the other hand, I had every confidence in Dr Gartry’s surgical ability and the reassurance of being treated in one of the world’s leading eye hospitals should anything go wrong. To me, those were the most important things.

I have a question. I have just had the initial consultation for laser treatment. Owing to thin and steep corneas and being over 50, the consultant has recommended Refractive Lens Exchange. Has anyone had the same experience?

I am having lasik performed on Wednesday 31st October, I can't wait as I have struggled with contact lenses being uncomfortable and dry for many years and i find glasses annoying to wear, I have wanted to have laser eye correction for many years but have always been too scared, but i am taking the plunge! my initial consultation with Mr Stevens and the team at Moorfields was very reassuring and he took all the time I needed to answer my questions of which I had many! I will keep you posted as to how the surgery was!

I had my both my eyes lasered a week ago. Before the surgery I was unable to do anything without my glasses on and had worn them non stop (except to sleep) for about 20 years. I can not believe that I was too scared to do this before it has been a total revelation. I chose Moorfields because of its reputation and Mr Vincenzo Maurino because he did a friend's eyes about 3 years ago and she said he was wonderful. She was right. Everything was great. He is very much as you would like a surgeon to be, straightforward and reasonably kind without being emotional. He answered all my questions and did not even get irritated when I asked for the 10th time if I could go blind! The nurses were great and one of them held my hand all the time, without me having to ask, as she could see I was very nervous. The proceedure is completely pain free but a LITTLE uncomfortable - and I am someone who has an extremely low pain threshold. It is true that you can see better straight away than you could before the surgery. Amazing - I would have cried with joy but for the fact I did not want to wash out the drops. If you are thinking of having it done please do - it took me at least 10 years to pluck up the courage and I am really cross with myself for not doing it sooner and believing the scare stories - I really could see perfectly by the next morning and I would like to thank everyone at Moorfields for being so great.

Had the LASIK surgery on 14th as planned. Everything went ok. The actual procedure was absolultley painless and went exactly as described. The whole experience is absolutley nothing to threat about at all, in fact going to the dentist is worse! That evening the bluring started to lessen and I could see very well with a slight haze. The next morning, today woke up and my vision was 99%. It is great! Went to the clinic in afternoon for post check and all ok 20/20 vision. I am 100% happy with everything. I have a slight dryness with the eyes, but its getting better by he hour. I feel very comfortable and the vision is great. My original prescription was -1.50 and -1.25 (so not too bad) but now its just great to have no glasses after using them for 20 years!! Go for it.

I had epi-lasek surgery with Mr Tuft on 3rd July. That's the process where the complete epithelium, surface layer of cells, is scraped off and removed, the laser treated and a protective contact "lens" is used for a week. Mr Tuft said that the eye heals better of the epithelium is completely removed and not replaced as in Lasek. I think it makes it more painful as well. I could only have surface treatment as my corneas were at the critical 500 micron thickness, not enough for the Lasik flap. I found it very painful for the 1st 4 days. However the operation was virtually painless. I asked for more anaeshetic drops as I was about to run out. I live 100 miles from London so asked for a prescription to go to my local chemist - this was not possible. I took the precaution of ordering the anaesthetic from my chemist, which would take a day, even though they could not release them without a prescription. Two days later I was still in pain whenever he anaesthetic ran out after about an hour. I went back to Moorfields by train as could not get anyone on the phone numbers I was given. Mr Tuft examined my eyes and said they were healing well and that I shouldn't need any more anaesthetic drops. He gave me 2 further vials. The next day these had run out. I phoned the the hospital and eventually they agreed to send a faxed prescrption to my local chemist. I was very releived to have sufficient anaesthetic drops. On the 4th day I didn't need to take them any more. The problem was more the anxiety of having extreme pain with no way of relieving it. 7 days later Mr Tuft removed the protective lens and reported that the epithelium had grown over. He was very professional and I am sure an excellent surgeon but did not want to indulge me in re-assuring an anxious patient. I think he thought I was a major fuss pot. At the 4 week eye test - both eyes were 20/20 but left eye had a 2.5 astigmatism and I couldn't see the 2nd to bottom line. Mr Tuft said the astigmatism may go over the next 5 months and that there was a 60% prob it would improve. Re treatment was a possibility if no improvement but this carried an exra risk of scaring over and above the risk of the 1st operation. I would like to know the probabilities but can't find any references. Most information on-line seems t be from surgeons selling treatment. Overall I am extremely happy with the results. Oh, I was -6 and -5.5 with a slight astigmatism about 1.25 Obviously I really want perfect eyes and to be able to see the bottom line or even 2nd to bottom line with both eyes - but it's still amazing that I can see without lenses. I would nevertheless recommend Moorfields and Mr tuft, despite their disorganisation and bad admin and poor communication.

Just had 1 3 month examination after having wavefront LASIK with Julian Stevens. I was nearly -8 in both eyes. I Can read the bottom line on the eye test chart and have forgotten I was ever short sighted.

I have an appoitment for 14th August 2007 for LASIK with Mr Tuft. I had the 1st consultation last week and was very impressed with the environmentals of the clinic and the people. I found the 1st app. very informative, although like most I had done a lot of research before hand. The tests were done, all ok. The last test I had some drops put into my eyes, which did make my close up vision blurred, which they said it would for a few hours. I did find the light quite strong for a while, in fact couldnt read the key pad on the chip and pin!! yes they did get paid. Mr Tuft gave me the options, in my case either LASIK or LASEK could be done. I went home had a re think and decided LASIK, mainly due to the shorter recovery time. So I am booked in to have the treatment for tomorrow. Let you know what happens?

I have just had my surgery at Moorfields last Friday . I was sooo nervous, My appt was 2-30 and I had to wait till 5-30 till I was taken for the op but all the staff were so lovely and understanding. You have numerous tests and scans etc before you actually have surgery though so its not all doing nothing for that time.The surgery is painless, I had Intralase where the flap is cut with the laser and that was the only uncomfortable part with slight pressure being applied. It took approx 20-30mins and then I Was allowed home. My vision was quite hazy when I came out and for the evening but when i woke up the next day it was a whole new world and had my post-op check and was fine. The days after my eyes have been quite dry but the drops allivate that and they are getting better by the hour. Mr Stevens is so fantastic and reassuring and made the exp very relaxed and pleasant and would highly recomend him to anybody. If you are thinkin of surgery and are not sure - do it -you wont regret it especailly with Mr Stevens! T