I had Lasik performed on Friday 26th January at the Optimax Southampton clinic. I have been short sighted for 15 years and now wore contact lenses all the time. My prescription was right eye was -6.50 with an astigmatism of -0.25 and my left
-6.25. It wasnt until six months ago when i washed my contact lenses down the sink that i realised how blind i was and something needed to be done! I purchased my treatment via E-bay for £1185 for both eyes using the Lasik procedure. Needless to say i was a bundle of nerves for a week prior to the operation and having my doubts. Yes, there are many complications that can happen but they have to tell you this to cover themselves. One thing that suprised me is that the receptionists are optical assistants as well as surgical assistants. One minute you see them answering the phone at the reception the next minute they are in full scrubs going into the treatment room. If i based my experience of my pre op tests which were a struggle for the receptionist to actually competently use the equipment and had the ask for assistance twice i would have walked, but thankfully the surgeon Dr Ayoubi was marvellous. He talked me through the procedure clearly and after having my consultation with him i was reassured and calm. The operation was arranged that afternoon with both eyes being treated. One incident again with the receptionists is that despite informing her that the price was £1185 and the £60 consultation fee was to be deducted as it clearly states in their E-bay advert, i informed her that i would be paying £1125. I was then given the chip and pin machine which had no value showing on the screen, i said that i cant see the amount, i was abruptly told that i would get a receipt after i had entered my pin. Suprise, suprise she had charged me £1185! She did not listen to what i had told her and said she needed to e-mail head office to get a £60 refund which would take about two weeks! This is really what i needed just before surgery. I was called into the treatment room and asked to put on a white cap. Then i mentioned to the surgical assistant (aka a receptionist) that i was nervous and was coldly ignored and led into the treatment chair. Thankfully the welcoming calming Dr Ayoubi was there and i felt at ease. The clamp was not uncomfortable, the worst part is the suction ring. It is pressed down on you eyeball and feels like they are trying to push your eyeball into the back of your head! Tip - clentch your fist with the pressure it does actually help! Then it goes black, you have to remember that your other eye is taped down so you are in darkness. At this point i freaked out and asked if someone could hold my hand, Dr Ayoubi asked the "receptionist" to hold my hand to which she replied "i cant get to you" in a abrupt tone. Dr Ayoubi asked if i was ok to proceed which i was as i could hear his voice. Then the flap was cut, which you still cant see at this point and is not at all worrying! Then it all comes clear and you see a fuzzy red light above you. The laser was applied and yes you do smell that burning smell. It was strong but i had read on this site to breathe through your mouth. I did this but to be honest i could still smell it! Then it was time to do it all over again! I then had plastic shields taped over my face and lead through the waiting room in front of the next patients! I must state that there has been NO PAIN. I havent even had a paracetamol or glass or wine during the recovery! I went back the following morning to find i have driving standard vision 18 hours later and should achieve 20/20 within the next few days. I cannot praise Dr Ayoubi enough and if Southampton was not my local clinic i would have travelled to receive treatment by him. He is a credit to Optimax.