I thought I'd write a short article on my laser operation which could be useful for those who are interested in going ahead with this in the near future...

I had been considering laser surgery for a number of years but had put it off for 1) it was a fairly new surgery and didn't know the long term effects and 2) I was waiting to find out if someone I knew who did it to find out their experience.

In the last couple of years, I became more serious about it. My eyes were really short-sighted. -7.25 in one eye and -9.00 in the other, which also happens to be a lazy eye too. I was totally dependent on glasses or contact lenses. I was unable to wear contacts for too long as my eyes would feel tired and dry out. Its not nice having to 'feel' around for your glasses in the morning when you can't find them!

I started doing my research by taking advantage of free consulations which are offered by some of these private clinics. Many are based around Harley St. I used London Vision Clinic, Laser Vision and Ultralase to get their opinion of whether I'd be a suitable patient or also gain more information about it.

2 out of the 3 clinics were able to offer me the operation. They all do number of tests on your eyes during the consulation - its very similar to having a normal eye test at your opticians. Bear in mind, some clinics do ask you to take your last prescription with you or even the last prescriptions over the last two years. Try get these together beforehand. The idea is that they can only operate if your eyes have been stable for the last couple of years. Ultralase actually told me I wasn't suitable for laser surgery as I didn't have enough cornea for them to work on and recommended me to have another procedure called ICL, which is a more invasive surgery where they replace your lens altogether. I was not keen on this plus it was even more expensive than laser.

I also decided that I would like to check out Moorfields as they are a world renowned eye hospital. Their consultation was not free - £150. It really did hurt to part with that after sitting with the consultant for 5 mins! We in the UK are not used to parting money for our health!! Moorfields have a number of surgeons who perform laser surgery and it was difficult deciding on who to go with because of the lack of information given. I found a website link which gave a lot of information and reviews from patients who had gone through surgery. From here, I decided to choose Mr D Gartry as my surgeon.

My operation was booked for 18th June. As the date approached, I was getting increasingly nervous. Have I made the right choice?? Will everything be OK long term? They ask for your money before the day so I had no choice but to continue. On the morning of the surgery, one of my dearest friends took me along with my mum and sister to the hospital. I got called in whilst the others waited for me in the waiting room. It was like being at the dentist where it isn't necessarily painful but very unnerving. I sat on a chair whilst my left eye was covered with a plastic shield. The doctor pulled my eyelids apart and covered the lashes with a tape. He then used a clamp like contraption to ensure my eyes were wide open. It was strange blinking without the eyes shutting. A few drops of anaesthetic was placed in the eyes and then the seat went all the way back til I was under the laser machine.

Throughout the procedure, I was told to focus above to a red light and was talked through the whole thing. At one moment they said the light would go hazy and I couldn't see a thing. I did begin to panic but did not show it! Anyway, you hear these funny sounds whilst there. The whole eye must have been less than 10 mins altogether. There was fluid running down the side of my face which I pointed out and the doc joked about me wearing my large earrings! The procedure was then repeated for my left eye. When it was finished, everything was very blurry and I was a little scared. I always knew that I could be wearing glasses again but I felt I was still dependent on them as my vision was still poorly although better than normal. I was told this was normal.

I was then talked through the aftercare protocol which mainly involved taking care of my eyes in the first week and taking 2 hourly drops of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drops and artificial tears. By the time I got home, my vision had improved a lot and especially by the evening. I was given a pair of plastic goggles to wear when I sleep to prevent accidental rubbing of the eyes.

I went for a post op consultation on Monday and I was told that my vision will improve and stabilise over the month. My right eye is still lazy but hey Allhamdulillah, I can see!!