After 20 years of short-sightedness and wearing glasses, I decided to bite the bullet and look into getting my eyes 'fixed'. It was vanity that pushed me into getting LASIK, my eyes would no longer tolerate contact lenses. My prescription was right eye: -4.50 Cyl -2.00 Axis 161 and left eye: -5.75 Cyl - 1.25 Axis 17. My first port of call was my local Optical Express clinic in Glasgow (Autumn 2002). They were helpful and friendly and then told me that I was 'borderline', this was due to my large pupils. I was told that I might still have to wear glasses following the procedure. Definitely not the result I wanted.

I did some more research, trawling through web-sites; reading conference papers; e-mailing clinics and corresponding with other lasik patients before I stumbled upon London Vision Clinic in summer 2003, thanks to Rebecca Petris. I went for a check with Dr Dan Reinstein who was extremely knowlegeable and immediatley put my mind at ease. It was also good to know that he would be doing the check-ups as well as the procedure. He was confident that following Wavefront LASIK, I should have 20/20 vision. After a few more months of deliberation I decided to book in for April 2004. (Thanks to a little bit of persuasion from Sarah!)

I came to London from Glasgow for the treatment and stayed with a good friend who had PRK about 10 years earlier. I had a morning appointment and I don't think I have been as nervous or anxious at any point in my life - going into the 'operating room' was nerve-wracking and I even asked if I could have something to calm my nerves! Once the procedure got underway I was fine and happy to be in Dr Reinstein's capable hands. It was all over so quickly and even though my eyes were very sensitive I was amazed that I could see the clock on the wall! I was advised to keep my eyes closed for the next few hours and keep applying the various drops that Carey, the nurse, had given me. I had also been given painkillers, but I didn't have any pain at all, only a mild stinging, as if you are chopping an onion, for about two hours straight after the procedure. That evening I watched a little TV and was so amazed by the clarity of the vision. I had never been able to see like this. Dr Reinstein called me that evening to ask how I was feeling and if everything was okay. It was more than okay, it was fantastic! It is so hard to believe that a procedure that lasts less than 10 minutes can have such an wonderful results.

The followind day on my return to the clinic my eyes were in great shape. I was back at work 3 days afterwards and also back driving. At the one week check-up I could see 20/20 in my left eye and 20/12 in my right. For the first week I suffered quite badly from dry eye. I was up 2-3 times each night to put in the eye drops.

I also work with a PC and continued to experienced 'dry eye' for a couple of months afterwards. I also found that when I watched TV my eyes became very dry. I went through the eye drops pretty quickly and was sent a regular supply by Sarah. But it is a minor complaint and I became very experienced at putting in eye drops wherever I was!

I am due to go for my 6 month check next month and the 'dry eye' has now gone completely, I will sometimes put the drops in at night if I go out, or if my eyes feel tired.

One of the reasons that I chose London Vision Clinic, was the high standard of personal service offered by them. I made a few calls to Dr Reinstein at various times when I was concerned about things and he was never too busy to take my calls.

I would like to thank all of the staff at London Vision Clinic, especially Dr Reinstein, Carey and Sarah, who are always happy to help and offer us an endless supply of chocolate biscuits!

In all honesty I do not think that I would have received any better treatment at any other UK hospital or clinic. I have no regrets and consider it money well spent. It is still a novelty to wake up in the morning and not reach for my glasses before I get up, and to actually see the alarm clock withut having to bring it up to my face! I can now see other people in the pool when I go swimming and don't have the hassle of wet/ steamed up glasses when I am out in the rain. If you are thinking about it go and see Dr Reinstein, he knows his stuff!