I originally attended Optimax Glasgow and was told my corneas were too thin and I was only eligible for Lasek (the sore one!)I was a bit ambivilent and was sent away to think about it. Long story..... eventulally didnt go back to Optimax but had my consultation in Glasgow Optical Express. There I was told I was suitable for Lasik and that my corneas were "not even close to being too thin" This was encouraging as I had not expected it.
I had my surgery in Glasgow 30/11/06 I had mild astigmatism in both eyes and a little shortsightedness. I opted for Wavefront Lasik having the flap cut using Ultralase.

On the day I was of course nervous,I arrived in plenty of time and was led to the laser suite waiting area.This is one of the disappionting features of the day as I sat for 45mins nervously watching people come and go having had their surgery before reception staff took any notice of me, you would think spending £3,000 would be entitled to feel a little bit special. I soon realised the place was busier than argyle st, and felt like... without being too harsh, a little bit like a cattle market. I was eventully taken for my wavefront scan this I found quite difficult due to the complexity of it ( there is a bright red light at the end of a tunnel and you have to look beyond it I was constantly drawn towards the light!)However a little perseverance I got there.

I was taken into another room and a nurse gave me instructions on how and when to use the eye drops she also discussed what would happen during the procedure and reassured me.
After another short delay I met the surgeon for the 1st time Dr Boytha who was very nice, looked at the wavefront scans confirmed everything was ok and consented me. Have any questions written down and ready at this point as you dont get much time here to think!

I was then taken through to the room where the dreaded deed would take place. I was asked to lie on a bed between the 2 laser machines a patch was placed over my left eye and details confirmed.I seemed to be waiting for ages and was really scared at this point but staff were great and talked me through what was about to happen. This wait I presume was where Dr Boytha was yo-yoing between me and another patient.
I was given drops to numb my eye a clamp of some sort was used to hold my lid open this I did not find painful at all. I was then aware of pressure being forced down on to my eye and thought Dr Boytha was trying to force it into my brain! this is combined with the feeling that your cornea is being sucked towards the ceiling. This part is uncomfortable but not painful. It all happens very quickly there is some noise from the machine while you are asked to look at a red light, a staff member counts down 20 seconds the suction is released and thats it the flap has been created. The whole thing it then repeated with the other eye so you then know what you are in for!
I was then swung over to the other laser where the wavefront part is carried out, this was easy enough, different noise faint smell of burning and the feeling of the surgeon washing your eye and replacing the corneal flap. Thats it I was asked to stand up things looked a little hazy but I was told this was normal.
I returned to the waiting room where my friend ( the driver! absolutley essential you have one of these!)was happy to inform me how red my eyes were. Afrer 20 mins or so I was called back into the room Dr Boytha checked my eyes and confirmed everything had gone fantastically well and that I was free to go.
The journey home was worth mentioning Glasgow at this time of year pouring with rain and pitch black with the exception of the unbearable glare of the tail lights from the cars in front during the rush hour. My eyes were watering and I felt a little pain at this point and used my voltarol eye drops also took a coulple of paracetamol, though I would recommend you take them just before the procedure so they have kicked in at this point! I could hardly open my eyes my lids felt so heavy yet closing them made me focus on the slight burning feeling behind the cornea. When I eventually got home I went straight to bed put on my protective glasses which by the way makes you look like a large flying insect! and slept for 2 hrs. When I got up I felt my vision was good and over all I felt much better. I used my drops as prescribed and had a good nights sleep. The following morning I attended my local optical experss in motherwell where I had my eyes examined and was given the news that my vision is better than 20/20 in both eyes. I have not experienced too much in the way of dry eye as yet, certainly not as uncomfortable as contact lenses that have been in too long. The sclera (white part of my eyes) still have some red patches particularly under the left upper lid but I have been told this will settle after a week or so.
Like many other people before me I took a long time to take the plunge and opt for lasik. However I feel the wait was worth it due to the introduction of intralase which wouldnt have been available to me 2yrs ago.I am delighted with the results and would have to recommend it although it is expensive I don't understand why the price varies so much but you can be sure it wont be £395 per eye thats just to get you over the door.
The surgical team and equipment used in Glasgow are more or less faultless. What lets Optical Express down a little is the customer service side of things. If this improved which wouldn't take much by the way! there would be a gold star all round. In summary if you can afford it do it I am delighted with the results.