St Thomas’ Hospital

After years of if’ing and butting whether to have laser eye surgery, I decided to research the various laser treatments but more importantly, find a surgeon that I could trust. I‘ve heard a few horror stories in the papers and wanted to ensure I wouldn’t be one of them. I wear soft contact lenses and have an annoying problem in my right eye with the lens moving out of place (revolving). This is due to my large astigmatism (eye shaped like a rugby ball, i.e. not round). The Toric lenses I wear, although designed and weighted do however move out of place a little, subsequently affecting my vision. Hopefully refractive eye surgery would fix my problem and eliminate the need for aided vision. Initial consultation with Mr O'Brart outlined the risks and advantages and he did say that due to my large astigmatism I might need additional surgery. I liked the idea of LASEK due to there being no flap involved unlike (LASIC) and a better recovery period and less risk of hazing than (PRK). I decided to proceed with LASEK on my right eye on the 10/10/2003. My prescription was –2.75 diopter sphere with a –2.25 diopter cylinder at 180 degrees, corrected to 6/5. Surgery went ok on the day, which was a Friday. Zonked out over the weekend and on pain killers. The only problem I did have was on the Sunday when my eye was sort of developing an intolerance to the contact lens due to wearing it constantly for 3 days, I think my eye couldn’t produce enough tears to keep it wet. Returned to Mr O’Brart on the Monday to have the contact lens bandage removed, what a relief to have it taken out! I then returned again on the following Friday for another check-up and was told it was healing nicely. Stopped the antibiotic drops and carried on with the suspension drops for a month. During the first month it should be noted that the surface skin healing did give fluctuating vision from one week to the next. Another check-up 5 weeks post op my prescription is 6/6 unaided and corrects to 6/6 with a +0.5 diopter sphere with a –0.5 diopter cylinder at 50 degrees with nice clear cornea. The slight over correction takes a bit of effort focusing, but hopefully will stabilise closer to 0.0 as time goes on. Overall I am very happy with the results, I can now read my projection clock on the ceiling even if it is only with one eye! I am also glad I had one eye done at a time, as Mr O’Brart said there are very rare complications that can happen which is why he prefers doing one eye at a time. It also enables you to get on with your normal day to day life pretty easily, alternatively I would have needed more time off work if I’d had both done at once. The down side of course is having to go through it again, although that’s a small price to pay when you consider it’s your eyes we are talking about here. I am having my other eye done in January and would strongly recommend Mr O’Brart to anybody considering Refractive Eye Surgery. Watch out for future posts.

I last posted in September 2002 and you can read all my posts dating back to Sept 2001, so just an update. No problems really. I would say that at night or dark conditions, my originally-weaker-eye does strain slightly as the pupil dilates. Anyone else have this? My other eye which had a very minor correction is perfect day and night. I'm still very pleased about the results and havent looked back. To be honest, I've forgotten I ever had the surgery! HIghly recommended.

I had my first month's checkup with Mr O'Brart on Thursday 11th September 2003. The results were better than I had anticipated, in that I was just slightly under in one eye and just slightly over in the other. My vision is still stabilising and I am confident, as is he, that things ought to improve in 2 months' time. Driving has not been a problem. Some slight dryness in the eyes, partcularly the left, has been a slight annoyance when waking up, and some sleep residue in the eye once caused a painful moment when blinking, but otherwise there has been no cause at all for complaint. I am very pleased indeed with my results.

After years and years of contemplating whether or not to have laser eye surgery, I decided to research the various laser treatments but more importantly, find a surgeon whom I could trust implicitly. David's profile attracted me the most as he seemed to constantly research this issue and provided superb aftercare to patients that he had treated. He was also very frank about the suitability of the treatment for a me as opposed to many clinics out there who are keen to make a quick buck without warning clients about the potential risks. It has been 3 years since I had surgery and I thoroughly enjoy not having to wear glasses and contact lenses anymore. Being able to see the world clearly after years and years of not being able to see it at all without constant aid is a life-changing experience and I would recommend David unreservedly and wholeheartedly.

I had bilateral LASEK surgery, performed by Mr David O'Brart, on Friday 25th July 2003. I learned about this practice and LASEK by word-of-mouth, and chose this method as I am a diver and it is most suited to me because I have wide pupils. I am now on my fourth day post-op and am recovering steadily. I can already see well enough to type and read my comments on the screen of my computer. I can tolerate this and the television in short periods and read for short times too. My vision at this time is slightly blurry but I have little soreness in either eye, save for a sensitivity to bright light. The first 48 hours after the operation were spent resting in a darkened room as my eyes were sore, but not unbearably so. Despite being prescribed anaesthetic eye drops, I did not feel the need to use them. There was no pain at all during the operation. I commend Mr O'Brart on his professionalism and reassurance during every stage so far. Seeing the gradual improvement to my vision that each day brings is worth it thus far!

I thought I would put an update. I had my left eye done last December (I was -6.00) and the right one in february (-3.5), both with some astigmatism. I had my check up consultation last week and everything is perfect! I have a bit of residual astigmatism on my left eye but it does not bother me, I hardly notice. As far as I know my vision is now perfect (6/6) and I'm very glad I went ahaed with surgery and I chose David for the job. I can definitely recommend him to anyone! What's next then? I will have a follow up consultation f(or free of course around october) to check all is fine and in the mean time if I need to see him I just phone! The aftercare is certainly fantastic.

I have now had my monthly check up and have vision of 6/4 (I'm still not entirely sure what this means) with a slight astigmatism in my right eye(which seems to be picked up every other eye test as was too minor to be treated!). All I can say is that I have my own new pair of eyes! I can see everything perfectly and have had no problems at all. I am glad I made the decision to have both eyes "Laseked" at the same time, as being sqeemish found the procedure quite an ordeal. Also I would have had the left eye treated first which was quite painful and might have been put off, but I had no pain at all in the right. Anyone considering bilateral treatment will need time off though, I spent 2 days in bed and a 3rd moping because I could see with the right eye but was blurred with the left and could not stand any light (wore sun glasses in a dark room!!) also for the first week my vision seemed to change constantly and of course I could not drive. This continued for a further week (usually good am quite poor by 11pm) but was given the all clear to drive. I had no problems by week 3, the light sensitivity settled by then too. By week 4 I stopped all eye drops and havent looked back. Hayfever this week has been difficult as I dont want to rub my eyes at all until at least the 3 month mark!!! But I hope to continue this well until my 3 month check up in late July.

I am currently considering laser eye treatment possibly on a research basis, I have also heard of contact implants. My sight is long currently L (+12) R (+11). II have been using gas permeable contact lenses for the past 22 years since 1975. My optician has reported that my astigmatism has vanished over the last 5 years and has no direct concerns over my eyesight. Also of note both my children have 20/20 vision. I was surprised no genetic connection. I would be available for research purposes as I am willing to undertake clinical trials to improve my sight. I am based at CNWL NHS Trust Victoria tel: Work 0208 237 2041 Alternatively 0208 333 1811. Flat 7 34 Silverdale Sydenham SE26 4SU.

I am sorry. This is a desperate attempt to contact Dr. Michael Falcon. Ilearned that Dr. Falcon has performed the IoOL surgery of Harold Ridley. I want to contact him to request one of his photograph that I shall add to my write up regarding Ridley. Please help

I had bilateral lasek performed at St Thomas by Mr O'Bart 11th April after 2 years research and dithering. I am glad I opted for such a professional surgeon who put me at ease at every stage even though it meant travelling in a car for 4 hours after the operation. I had no pain at all from my right eye and could see (if slightly blurred) immediately post operatively and 2 days discomfort from the left after my first check up I was 0.25 and 0.5 but I feel this has already settled somewhat and will find out next week the current level.