Hi all, after my previous post expressing serious concerns about my left eye after having both eyes zapped (Posted on 12 Feb 2003 ~ double vision, un-clear vision etc), here is the update 1 month post op.

The best advice about EPIFLAP PRK (LASEK) I can give is GIVE IT TIME FOLKS after the op. Ignore the 'miracle stories' on this message board, and if your eyes take a while to adjust, as did mine, it will only push you into forming rapid conclusions that are not necessarily true. I am now slightly over 1 month post op, and my eyes are still changing.

The double vision has now settled down. It is now only very minor and improving day by day, and no longer noticeable under normal light. The sharpness of vision has gone from 70% to 100%. My right eye has regressed slightly from 100% back to around 95%. Don't do what I did and form a new conclusion whenever something changes. I was on my 4th conclusion, but now I am wiser and I am giving it time to heal and adjust properly!

The lady DR (whose name I have never managed to get) who carried out my procedure read my previous comments on this web site, and phoned me to check everything was OK. This was a surprise, and I would like to thank her for this. The Optimax DRs have web access like the rest of us, and do read this board!

If there is a slight criticism of Optimax, then it is that the supporting literature does not really go far enough to explain and re-assure about post-op changes to your sight before it settles down. The first check-up did nothing to re-assure me either. The lady DR did do this when she phoned me today, so bonus points here.

My previous rating was 3 Stars, this has now gone up to 4 Stars as the op has been a really worthwhile experience, and the goal has been more than achieved. If the Optimax aftercare experience improves on the 10th March, then I will rate the experience as a 5 Star Experience. Hint- I am not a number...I have a name!!

Thanks once again to the Optimax (Finchley Road) DR who called me today after reading this message board. I do not have your name! If you would like to mail it to me I would like to leave appropriate comments.

Don't forget - GIVE IT TIME TO RECOVER!!