St Thomas’ Hospital

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.

Thought it was about time to post my update. I had the previously aborted left eye done at the end of November. This time David used his brand spanking new custom laser with which he was more able to take into account the erroneous ablations of last June (see earlier reports). Thankfully all went well and David retrieved a difficult situation admirably (which shows the value of getting the right person when it comes to your eyes). Anyhow, cutting a long story short, I have come form -9.00s in both eyes and last measurements (end December) showed left at 0.00 and right at +.25 ish. I was a bit concerned that as the right had moved from +2.00 to +0.25 that the left would have gone the same way - but there is no sign of that happening as of today. The thing to remember for you high myopic out there is that the correction is so great that getting to 0.00 requires quite a bit of luck as well. We all heal at different speeds. My right eye was done 4 months ago and it still continues to "fill in"...... and it hasn't finished yet. Definitions are becoming more acute with every week that passes - sometimes almost imperceptibly, but you know it's happening. this process can take months in cases like mine. This is inconvenient if you are working with PCs or you have to do a lot of reading. At my age (46) you might expect to have to use reading glasses. It seems that the short sightedness was hiding or delaying in some way the necessity for reading glasses (a muscular problem, not corneal) . I'm currently using a temporary +1 correction to read but as my eyes are still filling in, this might end up as final, it might be +.5 ... or it may not be necessary at all. But hey, who cares. That's nothing!! I'm in for a test next week. I suspect I'll be put back on the steroids for a few weeks as the eye is still in recovery mode but I have to tell you I'm ecstatic. Since having the eyes done I've been kayaking in New Zealand and I'm off to Finland in February for a bit of "Hole in the Ice " (jumping in a freezing lake). I'm not telling you this to boast - but with -9.00s you tend to think twice about these things and you feel less inclined to take risks where you might lose you eyes (glasses). Now I don't. It's difficult to describe this feeling to those born with perfect vision. I'll keep you posted.

I had PRK surgery with Mr O'Brart in 1999. I was -2 to -2.5 and am now less than -0.5 is either eye. I fully recommend Mr O'Brart to anyone willing to pay for one of the best surgeons in the country. I have written a web page detailing my experiences which is located at: http://www.twinnies.demon.co.uk/prk/prkexperience.html Cheers, Paul

My latest check up a year or so on from surgery shows that my vision is better than 6/6 in my left eye and 6/6 in my right eye, which is amazing quite frankly. To save you trawling back through my posts, my eyes were around -7 dioptres before surgery. Mr. O'Brart will call me back in a couple of years for a free check up on my eyes and because he wants to add to his 13 years of patient data. I can see him for free at any time in between. I doubt you'd get this sort of service from a clinic.

I had -1.75 on both eyes and a slight astimatism on one of them. After intense research on the web and in particular on this site I chose LASEK by David O'Brart. LASEK combines most of the advantages of LASIK (less danger of reflections at night through an uneven surface, less pain and quicker recovery) without its higher risk level (the flap that is being lifted up in the LASIK process only heals on the side and can become loose even after years!). David O'Brart is probably the best eye surgeon in the UK with experience in laser eye surgery since 1990 and is one of the pioneers of the LASEK method. He does everything himself including the initial consultation (I recommend to go first to one of the other clinics which offer a free consultation, as Mr O'Brart charges £ 100 for this in addition to the £ 900 per eye). I had my surgery one month ago and my vision is now perfect, without nighttime reflections or any other problems. The first two days were slightly painful, so not unbareable and I was very lightsensitive for about one week (wearing sunglasses even indoors helped me a lot). I reached already driving standard after one week and went back to work after 10 days. The first couple of days at work were rather tough so, as my job means staring full time at a PC screen, which was very tiering. All together I can highly recommend David O'Brart and LASEK. I believe it is worth it to pay the higher price than going to one of the big chain clinics, where you haven't got a clue who is going to operate you and might have had just a weeks training!

I had considered having laser treatment for some time, but was very concerned with the risks, as I have sight only in one eye. After much research I decided to have LASEK performed by David O'Brart. Several clinics said they could perform the surgery, but I felt it was important to have it performed by a surgeon who could, if anything went wrong, provide the best aftercare. After an initial consultation with Mr O'Brart, where he outlined the risks and advantages, I decided to proceed. The surgery was performed on 28th March 2003, now just over a week the vision in my eye has gone from +1.75 to -0.5, hopefully the correction will stabilise to 0.0. I found the operation painless, feeling totally reassured by Mr O'Brart at every stage. The surgery was performed at 10.00 a.m. the rest of that day I rested in a darkened room. The next day, with the aid of sun-glasses I walked for several hours, still requiring a rest in the afternoon. The only discomfort I have experienced is the contact bandage slipped around my eye giving a feeling of soreness. I am due to go back and see Mr O'Brart early May, after which I will post another report. I agree with most people who have posted reports on this web page, that Mr O'Brart provides one of the best services available.

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.

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 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!

Had 3 month check up back in December and everything is fine. You take things for granted once you become accustomed to your improved vision. I have not had any major problems and will be doing my other eye in the next 8 weeks. Other than that, I am very pleasesd with the overall outcome. The only slight problems I have had are dry-eye, but this has been very rare- maybe 3 times in the last 2 months; and sometimes in dark areas some slight haze around some lights, but I am a perfectionist and look for imperfections!!!!

I am looking forward to getting my right eye done and finishing with contact lens for good - in my opinion - this is far better than glasses, contacts etc. Highly recommended!