Accuvision Laser Eye Clinic

Further to my comments on the 17th Jan (just in case someone thought the surgery went wrong when I didn’t report on my treatment sooner!!)….
My treatment went as planned 2 weeks ago and even the following day my vision was already 20/20, with an improvement a week later to better than 20/20 in one eye… Yes, its uncomfortable, having your eyes clamped open is never going to pleasant! but the team are very supportive and caring throughout. I have to say make sure you have someone to look after you the day of surgery, it is handy having someone else put the hourly drops in (and to make you drinks and dinner!!)
Because I work night shifts within my job I have found it hard at times due to the halos and blurriness of LED displays at night, but I have been told this is to be expected and will settle down within the next few weeks. I also think that because I am aware of my vision more I am always examining whether I can see better now than with my glasses before (and beware everyone, you will become a bore talking about laser treatment once you’ve had it done!). One eyes has been quicker to heal and improve than the other but again this is normal. What I can say is don’t expect perfect vision from day 1, it does take time!!
However, I am off on holiday to NZ and Aus for a month soon and cant wait to go with just a pair of sunglasses (and some clothes of course!).
It has made a difference to normal life already, and I don’t regret a single penny that has been spent.
The team are great and my comments from before still stand.
Anybody who is considering treatment should go to Accuvision for a consultation, it is free and you have nothing to lose. I have recommended the team to many colleagues, friends and family and several are already thinking about going for it. Just like myself, it is easier to make a decision about having this treatment when someone you know personally has had it done. Find out for yourself how good they are!!
Claire

I had wavefront guided Lasik at Accuvision four days ago. I had a mild short-sightedness and astigmatism. I am, so far, very happy with the results. Vision in my left eye is very good; vision in my right eye is better than it was but I’m hoping it will improve.

I found the actual procedure extremely unpleasant and would not want to go through it again. Despite that the discomfort is short lived and I have no regrets. Post surgery I had no pain in one eye whilst the other was really quite sore with ‘shooting pains’. I wouldn’t really describe them as gritty, more prickly!

I found the team pleasant and professional. However I agree with the comments posted regarding the rude receptionist, her attitude prior to surgery nearly prevented my going there.

On the negative:
I would have welcomed a sedative/anxiolytic beforehand (Accuvision won’t let you have one).

I would also have welcomed somewhere a little more private/comfortable to recover for the hour afterwards. When the operation was finished I felt very emotional and stressed – sitting in a busy waiting room with my eyes shut was disorientating and distressing.

Overall I would go through it all again and would choose Accuvision.

Have you heard about the recent judgement by the ASA (advertising standards authority)? I had my eyes done with Accuvision about a year ago and often refer to this site out of curiosity to read other entries. I just thought other interested parties would want to know about this…

Basically Ultralase protested against an Accuvision advert that claimed they are able to treat patients that other clinics can’t. The ad also said that no other UK clinic can match Accuvision’s treatment. The ASA looked into the complaint, and refused to uphold it because Accuvision proved that its claims are true. Accuvision has treated a huge number of people refused by other clinics – including Ultralase! So Accuvision really does provide unmatched treatment!

Definitely worth knowing when you’re trying to decide between clinics!!

I had Wavefront LASIK done 10 days ago at Accuvision. I did a lot of research in advance – I have a PhD in engineering, so probably had a slightly keener interest in the technology. I looked into Wavefront LASIK (which gives a custom correction based on your complete optical system) over a year ago, and decided it was too much in its infancy. However, now the technique seems to be well understood and the results much more predictable than in the early days.

Wavefront is available elsewhere (Sunderland Eye Clinic or Site for Eyes, Manchester Centre for Vision) but the kit differs greatly, and the devil is in the detail. The two key things are the laser that Accuvision use (visit ww.ophthalmic.lumenis.com) and the Tscherning aberrometer. These are the most advanced for various reasons and I believed are at the point of diminishing returns in terms of detectable effect on the outcome. The laser spot is small, the eye tracking is fast, the treated area is large (so you don’t get a blurred image bypassing the treated area when your pupil is dilated creating a halo) etc. etc.

Added to all that, the treatment is friendly, sympathetic, patient and comfortable. The place is run also by the proprietor Darius who takes a tremendous interest in the treatment of every individual. As a result you do feel treated individually, rather than being on a production line.

The operation is undoubtedly rather nerve-wracking. Mild pain/discomfort, but better than having a filling done, and over quicker. Once the first eye is done, you will not be worried about the second.

My corrected vision was 6:3 in my left and 6:4 in my right so I had high expectations. Post treatment, I already have 6:3 in both eyes although with a slight but reducing fluctuation in the left. Contrast sensitivity is fantastic – shiny objects appear brilliant. Night vision is excellent now though I had a lot of glare for the first week. No halos at all. Stars are bright pinpricks of light rather than spiky smudges.

As for the people who write negative stuff about LASIK, well sure there were lots of circumspect outcomes in the early days but I think this technology has come of age. Besides, is it more likely that I will have problems in the future with my LASIK legacy or complications from 20 more years of continued contact lens wear?

As for the cost, yes it’s more expensive, but whatever you do don’t make a decision based on cost. If you can’t afford to do it properly then don’t do it at all – these are your eyes.

I had my Accuwave Lasik treatment last Wednesday (15th) and I had high expectations, which I’m glad to say have not been let down! The day after the procedure I could read all the 20/20 lines on the chart and my vision seems to be getting clearer and clearer every day.

It cost £3000 for both eyes, I think the price of the procedure depends of the strength of prescription and complexity of the operation (sensitive eyes, thin corneas etc).

The procedure is not exactly pleasant but well worth it, I found it really quite uncomfortable but no pain and I would do it again so it can’t have been that bad!

I’m quite a young Lasik patient at 21, neither did I have a high prescription (it was nearly entirely astigmatism) but I’ve been wearing glasses and contacts since I was 5 or 6 this was the first time I ever went to the opticians, as far as I know I might never have had perfect vision.

I know the procedure costs more than average but it’s the only technology of it’s kind in the UK and I think that’s worth paying for! I am happy to reply to emails if anyone wants to hear more about the whole thing!

Liz :-)