Extremely disappointing consultation. Had no real problem with the ophthalmologist although he would answer no questions, telling me that consultant would answer them and also he forgot to dilate my pupils and then went to lunch.

My "consultant" Stephen was no more than a poor salesman. He rushed through a pre-prepared form and did not answer my questions apart from to repeat the form. He said he could not give me an answer as to whether I would be a suitable candidate but that would be in touch within 3 days to let me know what the surgeon had decided. I also asked for and was promised a copy of the CV of the surgeon who would be performing the surgery and details of complication rates at Maxi-vision.

I mentioned to Stephen that I was concerned that my pupils had not been dilated with drops in order to measure them fully dilated. I explained that I understood that this was an essential part of the procedure. He spent some minutes trying to find the ophthalmologist, but on discovering that he had gone to lunch he left the room and came back with an orderly and promptly left the room never to be seen again. The orderly looked in to my eyes and said my eyes were fine and that I could go home immediately!!! What a con!

Having not heard anything I called 4 days later and was given Stephens mobile number. I called this every day for another 4 days and did not even get through to an answering machine. I then phoned customer services manager to try to get some sort of update. She was as helpful as she could be but couldn't tell me anything. I did receive a call from the "consultant" that afternoon only to tell me that he had not yet even submitted my test results to the surgeon so it would be another couple of days before I would know if I was a suitable candidate for lasik at Maxi vision. He had of course not organised the CV or figures I had asked for. He did however manage to give me a price for the surgery which I found disconcerting as he had no knowledge on which to base a price as I had not even been accepted for surgery and the surgeon had not seen the results of my tests! For this "consultation"/"service" I was charged £30.

Although the literature clearly states that this is only refundable if you go ahead with the surgery at maxi-vision it does not state the position if they turn you down for surgery. Also the customer advisor who took the £30 consultation fee over the phone assured me it was just a "deposit" to make sure that I turned up for the consultation.

Having read other reviews on this site of people who have tried to get their "consultation fee" returned I have no doubt that I will not get mine back.

I'm sure that there are many good surgeons at maxi-vision its a shame they are supported by such incompetents. The current adverse publicity surrounding Lasik is surely fuelled by a failure at this consultative stage. Go to Accuvision where the consultation is free and save up the extra money unless you have a prescription that is very simple to treat.