I had Wavefront Epilasek at the Liverpool Clinic on 28/09/06. The surgeon was Dr. Madhusudhan, who, as other people have said, is quite laconic. But that suited me. I prefer a surly bedside manner. Nevertheless, he had fully explained to me, with the aid of images of my eyes on his computer screen, exactly how he would successfully perform the procedure.

Before my consultation, I was hoping that I would be suitable for Epi, as it would enable me to return to playing football sooner than LASIK would. For my eyes, the two options were LASIK performed with Femtosecond Laser (which would cost an additional £1000) or Epi with Wavefront (£300 extra). These were the options because I have thinner corneas than average. I selected the Epi with Wavefront option. At no time, though, did I get the impression that there was any hard sell for the dearer option. Once the doctor knew I wanted Epi, he agreed to perform it.

I actually purchased my treatment through Ebay: in all, it cost £1195.

On the day of treatment, I was a tad nervous, probably because I was there unaccompanied.

Here's what happens: you lie on a couch after donning a foolish looking hat. (But that's clinics I suppose.) The doctor then anaesthetises your first eye while the attending nurse counts out how long it has been administered for... 30, 40 seconds, etc. Once this has been done, the doctor uses a speculum (which, look up) to keep your eye open and relatively still. THIS DOES NOT HURT AT ALL. Then you are directed to stare at a red light above you, at which point the laser machine seems to whirr into life. Because (I think) of the anaesthetic and other moisture in the eye, the red light becomes like a dancing kaleidoscope-rouge if you will.... Then there are some crackly noises (sounds worse than it is) and a slightly acrid odour (again sounds worse than it is - but hey, it is LASER eye surgery). AT NO TIME DURING SURGERY IS THERE ANY PAIN. The laser is active for a matter of seconds, the speculum is removed, more drops are introduced onto your eye, and you are then asked to blink and tightly close your eyes, open, blink, etc. The procedure is then repeated on the other eye.

After surgery, you sit up, and the nurse checks your vision with a chart, which at this point in my case, was rather blurred, with glimpses of clarity. You are then issued with your painkillers, sedatives and eye-drops, with an explanation of how and when to use them - the directions are issued to you in writing also.

The following is what I personally experienced afterwards: within 20 minutes the anaesthetic wore off and I became increasingly sensitive to light. By one hour after, my eyes were becoming quite sore. Between 2 hours and 36 hours after the operation, the pain was akin to having hot shampoo in my eyes. (But without being able to rinse it out!) Unpleasant, but still worth it in my opinion. The painkillers assuaged the pain a little. But a big cheer for the sedatives, which knocked me out good and proper. A lot of the first 36 hours was killed by the action of the sedatives.

I would suggest that anyone who elects for this type of surgery has someone to care for them for about 24 to 36 hours. You won't wanna be chopping and frying your onions during this time.

After about 48 hours my vision was unstable, but realising more and more clarity. I was able to drive by the third day.

It's now two weeks since the surgery, and today I had a check up. The optometrist told me that I was just bordering on 20/20 in both eyes, with anticipated further improvement to come! I am therefore very pleased with the results so far. To be able to see clearly without all the hassle of glasses and lenses is WELL WORTH IT.

At all times I was dealt with courteously and professionally by all the staff with whom I came into contact.

FIVE STARS.