I had bilateral LASEK Epiflap done on 23 December by Dr. Almasari in Finchley Road, London using 2 for 1 offer (price of one eye, treatment on both). I'm 30 years old and my original prescription was: Right eye: -3.25 with -1.0 astigmatism Left eye: -3.75 with -1.50 astigmatism

If you follow this website you've read description of surgery few hundred times already, so I'm not going to get into details.

The recovery knocked out few long days out of my life, mostly because I wasn 't given bandage lenses (Xmas period, there was no one to remove it). The so called "discomfort" during first three days everyone is bragging about is a pretty much like someone flushed your eyes with petrol mixed with sand and then lit it afire. You do survive harder things in life, though and the memory of the first days post op fades very quickly. When I finally could open my eyes there were no drum rolls or fireworks, no miracle stories to tell. My sight was actually pretty bad, both far and near, extremely sensitive to light and trying to automatically focus on objects around me felt almost like I was going cross eyed. That continued pretty much for about 10 days until first checkup. During first appointment with optometrist we failed to obtain any decent prescription due to heavy ghosting in my sight, but both eyes were pretty much to close to +-0.50 dioptres although with evident astigmatism.

I am now about 9 weeks after my treatment and my sight is: Right eye - 1.25 with -0.25 astigmatism Left eye -1.25 with -1.0 astigmatism

As you can see, hardly a success if you undetook the surgery because you expected to never wear glasses again in your entire life. Both eyes also suffer from scar tissue and hazing which is being treated from today with Fluorometholone drops (form of corticosteroid) to help clear up the eye. One thing is already certain: The chance of me having 20/20 vision without second operation is about as low as winning National Lottery. In the best case scenario, if I'm really, really lucky I might end up with 20/40 (driving standard), but since astigmatism is not very likely to vanish on its own it would be very, very ghosty 20/40. I can't really fault anyone at Optimax, they all seemed competent and I felt they knew what they were doing. Can't really say what went wrong but the ironic side of me can't help but repeat "you get what you pay for". Half price and unfortunately half the effect. You have to admit, this is far form perfect score. This story is to be continued, it will be at least 5 months before my eyes can get retreated to correct this unfortunate regression, but let me tell you this:

The literature provided by Optimax before the operation contains many reassuring lines, like: "98% of patients achieve unaided driving standard vision after treatment. Moderate treatment levels (above -3 dioptres) achieve 95% success." "avoid driving for about one week" "patients tend to be slightly long sighted immediately after treatment so reading small print is not easy. Do not worry, as this will only last few weeks." My advice is simple - don't fall for PR. It's not that easy and it's almost never as quick as they make you to believe. Do not listen to miracle stories about people with cosmetic -1.5 dioptres waking up on third day with sniper 20/20 in both eyes. Ignore all the stories you've read where people didn't indicate what prescription they had to begin with. Be prepared that your recovery may stop at less than driving standard. And be ready to spend days, weeks and months looking at world more blurry and scary than when you actually had glasses on your nose. There are no guarantees, just chances, and what's more you will sign no guarantee disclaimer yourself in front of the doctor, before your treatment. Expect no wonders. And if recovery is quick and effects are just as you expected it will make your day. If your sight improves to -1.0 dioptre and you still have to wear glasses then at least you were fully aware of such possibility and it won't break your heart.