Ultralase

I am a very successful hairdresser with a large client base and a waiting list for appointments in Eastleigh, Hampshire. When I wanted to know more about Lasik I made endless enquiries with clinics, reading testimonials, and visiting websites. My decision to proceed with the treatment was not taken lightly. I had the treatment at the Guildford Clinic of Ultralase on the 10 Dec 2002. The treatment was as most people describe, quick, painless and effective almost immediately, but with the advised hazy mist which cleared overnight. The next day while having my first follow up check I was advised that I had an inflammation in one eye under the cornea and was issued suitable drops. I was asked to come the following day for another check-up. This carried on for 2 more days and then another visit on the following Monday. The staff were at all times efficient and thorough, and during these visits I was seen by the surgeon Mr Vinod Gupta, twice. On one occasion, he advised and carried out an "eye wash" where the cornea flap was lifted slightly and some cells which were causing the inflammation were washed out. I began to notice a marked improvement later that day in that eye and my sight has continued to improve since. On my last visit, my prescription was -0.25 in both eyes and it was felt that this will improve further having started with a prescription of -2.75 in both eyes and an acute astigmatism. I cannot recommend the staff and surgeon , Mr Gupta, at the Ultralase Clinic in Guildford highly enough. Yes people, things can happen, like inflammation and infection. But it was dealt with in a professional manner with all due care and attention and I am so very pleased that I was attending this clinic when the need arose.

It's been a month since my surgery and I just thought I'd post a quick note to update. I got my glasses out of their case for the last time today, and posted them off to the LCRS, where no doubt they will be sent to some poor person with eyes like mine used to be, or recycled. My vision is, at best, perfectly clear and at worst (when I'm tired) slightly blurry. I have not been to an opticians to get a new prescription, because I'm happy with my result. I am slightly curious, but not enough to book in for an appointment. I hope I'll never take my new eyesight for granted and if I do I only need to get out my old prescription to remember how bad they used to be!! Good luck for the 17th, Michelle. I hope all goes well. Keep updating.

I am going to LCRS on Jan 17th 2003 for surgery to my left eye and following it up with my right eye on Feb 14th. Looking at peoples comments especially Michelle and Angela's, I am a bit concerned at the starbursts experienced by both of you whilst driving in darkness. I need to drive to work and I am a bit concerned as to how it will affect my ability to drive. Is it a major problem? I am encouraged by all the favourable comments and I will hopefully be posting the same rave reviews.

I had laser surgery on both eyes in May 2002. My prescription was -5 in both eyes and I had worn specs and contacts lenses for 20 years. The consultation was thorough and they answered all of the many and varied questions I asked to my full satisfaction. They also carried out thorough tests before deciding that I was a suitable candidate for laser surgery. The service was friendly and professional. However, it was with a little trepidation that I signed the paperwork and agreed to the "risks" involved in surgery. Mr Vinod Gupta had carried out similar surgery on a friend who recommended him so I insisted that he carry out the surgery. The actual operation was painless, the most unpleasant experience being the burning smell when the laser was in use. After a restless night with streaming eyes which felt as though they were filled with grit. I had read other comments on the operation which said that there was slight discomfort but, in my opinion, this was an understatement. It was worth it in the morning when I opened my eyes and my vision was perfect. My eyes felt great. I was able to watch television, see objects in the distance clearly. It was a wonderful feeling. I have had several appointments since surgery to check up on my eyes and I still have 20/20 vision and have no problems with night vision or halos. I do experience, on rare occasions, a light in my left eye which travels from the top to bottom of the eye for a few seconds and then disappears. I've been advised that this has not happened as a result of surgery and that my eyes are healthy. If I do have any worries, I am free to call in and see an ophthalmologist. I would highly recommend this surgery to any one who is tired of the restrictions that poor sight brings and are sick of wearing specs and fiddling around with contact lenses. It's definitely worth it!!

I've had my initial consultation and was told I am a good candidate - think corneas and small pupils However my prescription's are something like -4 and -2, but am heavily astigmatic. My acuity with specs on is 6/6- and 6/7.5+. When they said I could lose 2 lines of best corrected vision, I slowly realised this meant even with specs on so. I would no longer be legal to drive. It doesn't mention the 2 lines in the brochures! Just results of 98% achieving 6/12. I always thought LASIK could improve your vision, but at best it can only match what you can see with glasses on. Given that, and the risk of side effects etc I have finally decided I won't be going ahead with treatment Having said that, they seemed very thorough and answered all of my questions. I will just add they do say in their forms you sign that you weren't pressured into making a decision. When I was told that I would have to come back for further tests, they were most surprised that I selected a Saturday date that was a month away and not come back much sooner (I didn't want to take another day off work) If my acuity was better, then I would probably have gone ahead with treatment with Ultralase. However, the consultation probably made me realise I hadn't done my homework properly, and would have prompted me to do more reading before going ahead immediately

I had my consultation at Cardiff in Nov 02. I was told I was suitable but that I had a complicated prescription as I was very short-sighted and astigmatic. The optician who saw me told me that I could loose two lines of vision from the chart and that I could experience dry eyes. When I left him I was against going ahead with the surgery and was disappointed. However, I next saw a consultant/sales woman who was supposed to help me to make my decision. She allayed my fears by telling me that it was doubtful if I would have any problems, that this was a "worse case scenario" that they had to warn me about, but was very unlikely. She has had the surgery herself with no problems and I began to wonder if I had heard the first option correctly. I found myself agreeing to have surgery three days later. I should have asked for a second opinion but unfortunately I didn't. I have lost some vision in right eye but can just about manage but my left eye is very bad and I struggle to see anything with it. Also I didn't realise how painful dry eyes can be and I have permanent discomfort, like having a displaced contact lens in the bottom of my eye. Drops and cream do not help. On my last consultation an enhancement was mentioned but I am afraid of having this in case it worsens things. All in all I regret having the surgery and on reflection feel that the saleswoman misled me and I ended up into making a quick decision which was wrong for someone with such a complex prescription.

Hello. Just wanted to thank you for your detailed comments - very helpful as I'm booked for my first operation on 30 Jan and, obviously, a bit apprehensive. Curious about the starbursts, and wondering how Michelle and Angela are doing now.

I had bi-lateral treatment 3 days ago at the Bristol clinic carried out by Mr David Snail. My prescription wasn't too bad to start with at -2.25 & -1.50, (though quite a high degree of astigmatism also), however I have quite thin corneas and above average pupil size. I was warned I was at a slightly higher risk of night vision problems and also could not have further corrective surgery if my sight was under-corrected, due to the thickness of my corneas. Mr Snail was pretty good though and talked all of this through with me and answered any questions/reservations I had. I decided to go ahead with the treatment anyway, as he said the risks were still very slight. The procedure itself was quick and relatively painless, although the eye clamp they put in my second eye stung quite a lot and had to be removed and more drops put in to numb the area before reinserted. I felt quite shaky afterwards (nerves probably) and my sight was blurred and extremely light sensitive (& big halo effect) for the rest of the night (I had my treatment at 5pm), but I felt no real pain, only slight discomfort. The next day I could already see quite clearly, although the edges of objects in the middle distance were not as sharp as they could be. My next-day check-up revealed that the healing was going well, though I was suffering from slight dryness - for which I was told to take some extra drops in between the anti-inflammatory & antibiotic drops. I was also given the OK to drive (I think my vision was about 6/9). I wasn't impressed with the ophthalmologist who carried out my check-up (can't remember his name, but he was white with a beard). I found him to be a bit patronising and condescending when all I wanted was a bit of reassurance and my many questions answered ( I mean, I haven't had the treatment before - so I have no idea what to expect and what is normal!). So far I'm very pleased with the outcome of my treatment. The only niggles are wearing the clear specs and really trying not to touch my eyes (I was so used to doing so quite a lot before as a contact lens wearer). I've also found that my eyelashes are a bit itchy and tickly where the remnants of the anti-inflammatory drops have clumped (it's quite thick stuff) and it's hell trying not to rub them! And the eye-guards make sleeping a bit uncomfortable - though it's a small price to play. At the end of the day, my eyes feel a bit like I've had my contact lenses in too long and I'm paranoid all the time about whether I should be putting more 'fake tear' drops in to prevent the flaps shrivelling up! Although it's early days yet, I'm really glad I've had the treatment, though slightly concerned that even after my eyes have completely healed (in a month or so?), I'll always have to take extra care of them because the corneas will never be as strong as they were. Still 'thumbs up' though.

I had my consultation with Ultralase at their brand new St Albans Clinic on Monday, and was very impressed. All of the staff were very pleasant and knowledgeable and the process was very thorough and efficient (and even the fact that I had to take my two children with me didn't seem to worry anyone!) I have astigmatism and long sight and have worn glasses for over 30 years. I been advised that I am a suitable candidate for treatment - so I'm booked in on 12 Feb! I will let you know how I get on.

Treated 3 January 2003 at Hammersmith by Mr Gupta. Prescription around -2.5 both eyes. Procedure very quick & painless. Some grittiness same night but next day excellent vision & no pain or discomfort at all. Almost 2wks on & vision better than 20/20 both eyes, although left is better than right. Eyes now feel absolutely normal & no dry eye or soreness. Have just stopped wearing the protective glasses & that's such a great feeling! Considered the treatment for several years before 'taking the plunge' & chose Ultralase Hammersmith as friend was treated there. All staff very pleasant & efficient. As my friend said - would like to recommend it unreservedly, but everyone is different & may not be as lucky as me. Friend still suffers with slight dry eye feeling 1 yr on but is still glad he had it done. I am certainly very pleased with the results so far, but look forward to my sight test in a couple of weeks when vision should be settled.