I had LASIK at Optimax in Liverpool on 28th Oct. 02 (2 weeks ago) by Dr Madhusudan.
After much research on the internet etc, I had scared the life out of myself with all the horror stories, and decided to go ahead with the consultation and decide for myself after speaking to the surgeon. I went armed with all my questions and was pleased to find that after all the tests confirmed I was suitable, that Dr Madhu had plenty of time to answer all my questions honestly. My big concern was being left with night vision problems, as I had read a lot about this. He was honest in saying that he could not guarantee I would not have these problems but made provisions in surgery for reducing the risks of it happening by making a slightly bigger flap than needed. I was very reassured by the consultation and booked the surgery for a few days later. My advice for the consultation is to make sure you have someone with you to accompany you home as the eye drops really did have an odd effect!! The day of surgery came quickly and as a big wimp I was surprised to find I was actually looking forward to the surgery and wasn’t a bit scared. I declined the sedative I was offered as I didn’t want to feel groggy later on, but in hindsight I wish I'd had it as later when I got home I was on such a high I couldn’t sleep. The surgery was so quick and easy I still cant believe I had it done. All it involved was lying back on a chair like at the dentist, having my eyelids cleaned and my eyelashes taped down, then eye drops were put in and retractors put on to hold my eyelids open, this was the worst bit as they are uncomfortable as they rest on the eye sockets, but not painful. Then I felt a small ring touch my eye as he marked the position for the flap, then the microkeratome was applied, things went grey/dark for a few seconds while pressure was applied which feels a little strange but again, not painful, then a weird vibration passed over my eyeball for a couple of seconds as the flap was cut. Then I had to stare at a red light while the laser was applied, this is hard to do as it was dancing all over the place!!, but after what seemed like seconds there was a small pause and then it happened again as the astigmatism was treated, there is a strange burning smell while this happens so don’t panic !!!, after washing my eyes out a bandage contact lens was applied and I was told to sit outside with my eyes shut as much as possible, and I'd be reviewed soon.
It was impossible to keep my eyes shut because we were all comparing experiences in the waiting room all trying to see an improvement!!! An hour or so later when all the mornings treatments were completed the doctor reviewed us all one by one, my bandage contact lens was removed and instantly my vision was improved, I was told to come back the next day and sent home with my eye drops to commence that day, and eye shields to wear in bed. So apart from very red eyes for a few hours and dryness just like having over worn contact lenses, there was no discomfort whatsoever. The journey home was amazing, I was able to read number plates and road signs which I'd never been able to do without lenses in!!! I went to bed to rest as advised but was so excited I couldn't sleep, and when I got up later, my vision was almost perfect, the only discomfort was that the eye drops stung for a second or two when applied.
I woke the next morning and almost cried when I realised I could see the bedroom immediately and saw the clock without moving it to my face !!
I rushed to the bedroom window and could read number plates on neighbours cars, when I'd not have been able to see the cars without lenses in previously. The aftercare check-up later that day pronounced all was well and I was fit to drive, but I didn't feel up to driving as I had a lot of glare and halo effects in the dark, I'd been advised that I would have this for 8-10 weeks anyway until it was fully healed.
I returned to work a few days later and night driving wasn't 100% but was not as bad as I expected, and it has improved each day, now 2 weeks post op my vision is almost as good as with lenses in, I still have a small prescription and some astigmatism, but I can function perfectly without glasses/lenses which is amazing.
I was -6.5 in both eyes with astigmatism, and had worn gas permeable contacts for the last 10 years, and soft ones for the 10 years previous to this, so was warned I am a high risk candidate for needing further treatment, but I will have no worries at all about going through with this if it is needed later on.
I can honestly say the worst things about the treatment have been having to wear my glasses for almost a month prior to treatment (no-one except family have seen me in them for over 20 years), the eye drop regime means you don't get much sleep, and having to go without eye makeup for 2 weeks afterwards, compared to that the op was nothing !!!
I had lots of advice from people on this site prior to surgery, and it helped me a lot so please don't hesitate to contact me if I can help you in any way. My only advice is go for the consultation well prepared with all your questions, and then make your own mind up, but I would recommend LASIK and in particular Optimax to anyone. 2 weeks post op, and I'm still absolutely amazed at the results, and the fact that it was so easy.
on the day after the op, the doctor asked me 'are you happy?'.....I didn't have the words to tell him just how happy I was...and its got better each day!!