There are some niggling inconveniences in life that can be overcome with some money and a little faith. As a spectacle, and latterly contact lens wearer for 25 years or so, Lasik eye surgery is one of these things.

I felt that as the technology was basically proved over the last 10-12 years and the price was dropping as numbers picked up, this year was the time to investigate laser eye surgery. I sent off for details of the clinics offering the procedure in the Glasgow area and having read as much as I could on the subject, made an appointment at the Optical Express clinic in Renfield St. Glasgow.

The consultation is much like a contact lens eye test with a few more tests thrown in for good measure. The 1st consultation wasn’t completed as I was referred back to my GP for some historical information, then a 2nd consultation completed the pre surgery tests. Although this delayed surgery, I was actually quite relieved that the optometrist wanted a 2nd opinion from my GP rather than proceeding immediately to surgery.

I went in on the 6th April and the op itself was straightforward. Again all the expected good procedures were followed, everything that would happen was explained, the plastic shoe covers were on, the plastic cap put on, and off to the laser suite. I happily took the sedative offered and have to say the op only took a matter of a few minutes and little or no discomfort was felt.

After that it was a taxi home to sleep for the afternoon. After 3 hours or so, vision had improved to such an extent that I could see sharp rooflines on houses hundreds of yards away. Not wanting to push my luck I spent the 1st evening listening to the radio in the dark to prevent any possible eyestrain. Next morning I went back to the clinic who were happy with the progress and declared me as having 20/20 vision. This was something I’d never been able to achieve with specs or contacts over the years.

There were three sets of eye drops to be used at regular intervals and plastic eye shields to be worn at night to prevent any possibility of rubbing the eyes while asleep. A week later I has another review and all is settling down well. I’ll have another review in a further few weeks and then a last one 3 months after the treatment.

The staff at Renfield St were excellent and having asked for Ms Susanna Boytha’s CV at the consultation, I felt I was in the best possible hands.

With the 10% off offer, I had both eyes treated for a total of £1080. A day or two after treatment my wife shelled out £250 for her new set of specs……..

I’ve now got excellent vision and have experienced no side effects at all. I’m looking forward to getting back on the golf course soon, and I’d happily recommend the procedure and the Renfield St clinic to anyone considering the surgery.