I was treated with PRK Epiflap (LASEK) 12th Nov Tues at Finchley rd. Sight before -3.25 L & -3.00 R. Some friends of mine had LASIK in the spring they got good results so I started investigating LASIK. The initial impression given out is that LASIK is the civilised way to get laser vision correction & that PRK has been put to bed. However the more research I did the less happy I was about going in for LASIK. I had booked my consultation & surgery with another clinic. I did not stop researching, when I found out about LASEK it was a welcome relief. This was not PRK and by all accounts it appeared to be the safest way to get ones sight corrected. I had made enquiries with Optimax because the prices seemed good but I didn't think they offered LASEK so I had almost discounted them. It was only when I had read their brochure that I discovered that PRK Epiflap is indeed them same procedure as LASEK. So now I could have LASEK at rock bottom prices, I cancelled my LASIK appointments. I think it is important to bear in mind that many clinics only offer LASIK so therefore denying their customers the option of a choice of treatments. Please do all the research you can before committing to surgery including ALL the links from this web site.
I have come to the opinion that laser eye surgery is so automated I cannot see any benefit in paying over the odds unless the clinic is offering Wavefront technology. Going down the Wavefront route is probably only of an advantage if you have a high prescription anyway. With my low prescription I was more than happy with the bargain price of £795 for BOTH eyes with Optimax. In years to come I'm sure Wavefront will become the industry standard.
The Bi-lateral LASEK surgery was quick & painless, My Dr, Dr Islam was friendly & confident. After surgery Vision was Fuzzy rather than out of focus. A bit like opening your eyes underwater. Walked to the car & shut my eyes. For the remainder of this day & the following 2 days any attempt to open my eyes was met with mild stinging & watering eyes, to be comfortable I just kept my eyes shut. There was no pain as such & didn't need the pain killers. If you are having Bi-lateral treatment you will effectively be disabled for 2 days and be totally dependent on others. On the third day woke up felt normal & opened my eyes. WOW! I could see the time on the alarm clock. Kept my eyes open all day & could see the improvement in vision by the hour. By the next day, day 4, I felt I could see well enough to drive (at least in the day light). Vision is still improving I've just had my 1st aftercare appointment I'm +1.00 L & +0.75 R. I'm experiencing mild ghosting in Low light conditions. I've been told that the ghosting will rectify itself over the coming months but I just don't notice it outdoors at all. In in all, on course for a good outcome. Already I feel it is money well spent & would do it again if I had too. I'm also relived that I don't have the Flap to worry about, The LASIK one that is, that never completely heals as the Fibres in the Storma layer of the cornea never re-integrate. LASIK, do not confuse faster recovery with faster healing, that Flap will NEVER completely heal! Good luck with your own surgeries. Happy to answer any questions.