Optical Express

I went for my consultation at Norwich on 11th Nov. and was told I am suitable for LASIK. Surgery is not performed at Norwich so I am travelling to London for surgery on 30th Nov. The staff at Norwich were very helpful, professional and courteous - they apologised for running behind schedule. I was most impressed, however, with Michelle who I spoke to on their free phone number to book the surgery itself. She's had surgery about 6 months ago so is well qualified to pass on her experiences. Nothing was too much trouble for her, she was very friendly and very reassuring. Although I'm a bit apprehensive about the surgery I'm also very excited. I'm due to be 'lasered' by Dr. Guy Smith and would greatly appreciate any comment from people who have experience of him!!

I had the LASIK on 8th Nov 2002 in the Manchester clinic. The staff were very friendly and reassuring. The surgeon (Dr Aziz) and his team were fantastic and talked me through the surgery. It was a bit uncomfortable but not painful. I went for my check up the next day at Conlons and my high prescription of - 6.75 (right eye) and -6.50 (left eye) was down to 0 which I was really pleased with. The only downfall was my eyes were extremely dry the first week, but I did suffer with dry eyes before the procedure, so I had to use lots of different eye drops, Viscotears being the most soothing. I recommend anyone getting the surgery book a week of work to recover, just to make sure you avoid dry smoky atmospheres (oh and air conditioning!). I returned to Manchester clinic a week later after surgery as my eyes were so dry and they put some small plugs in my tear ducts to stop any fluid draining away and it helped with the dryness. I have been for another check up today at my opticians as it is now three weeks since my surgery and unfortunately my eyesight has deteriorated and I have developed a slight prescription of -1.50 (right eye) and -1.25 (left eye) so I am going back to Manchester clinic this week to find out why this has happened. I reckon I will have to have the enhancement surgery in a few months when the flaps have healed on each eye. hopefully then my eyes will be perfect, I will keep you posted!!!

Further to my assessment I made the trip to Shaftsbury Ave for LASIK, or so I thought. They were running nearly 2 hours late (nothing for your companions to do although the staff are very nice and keep you filled up with tea/coffee etc.). When I got to see the surgeon he explained that with my prescription (-2.25) the outcome of either LASIK or PRK would be the same. Being as LASIK carries higher risks of complications with the flap etc. he said he would be doing PRK. I could've cried as I knew PRK was more painful afterwards and has a slower recovery period - right on both counts!! The surgery is a doddle, 10 min's for both eyes. Even the eyelid clamp which concerned me beforehand was no hardship. However, the rest of the day was very painful with a great sensitivity to light for the next 2 days. My vision didn't start to sharpen until 4 days after the surgery and continued to improve since then. On my 1 week check in Norwich I was told I had perfect vision in my left eye and almost perfect in my right with only improvements to look forward to. I'm driving and my night vision is pretty good too. I feel my short-to-long vision (and vice-versa) adjustment is a bit slower than normal but this is also improving. On the whole I'm over the moon with the results and feel that a few hours pain was well worth it. If I needed further treatment I would have gone through with it. Luckily it seems that this is extremely unlikely. I must admit, however, that with this wonderful LASIK there does seem to be a general lack of information on PRK, a loss felt by the few of us that still have it done.

Went to London clinic today for treatment but was surprised to find I had large pupils which increased the risk of night glare. This was particularly odd as I had been told my pupils were below average at my initial consultation in Winchester. I drive a lot for work and felt that this risk was too significant when combined with my astigmatism. Mr Panjit the surgeon was very patient explaining the issue and did not push me to have surgery. He did suggest I consider Wavefront technology which should be available with Maxivision later this year. This should reduce my chance of night glare significantly. So, I've left disappointed to still be wearing specs but reassured that the intervention was appropriate. I am going along to my optician in Winchester to find out why they said I had smaller than average pupils - this mystery is still to be resolved! Watch this space...

I had lasik performed on both eyes on the 4th january 2002 . Its now been just over a year eyes are great I went to MaxiVision in london perscription was L -5.75 R -5.50 had a little dryness but nothing I could not cope with eyes are both 20/20 if not better MaxiVision were great in all respects it’s the best £1690 I have spent.

I have visited the Eye Clinic in Southampton and have been really impressed by the professionalism of the clinic. I have booked to have lasik in both eyes on 15th February. I was worried about the whole procedure and so booked an appointment to meet the surgeon Miss Huda Flayeh and again was reassured by her and her impressive qualifications. However the eye clinic have just phoned me to say that she has left their employment and so I will now be operated on by Mr Kantilal Jain. Does anyone have any info about Mr Jain? His qualifications seem very good but I am a bit thrown as I only met Huda last Friday and they have changed the surgeon with two days to go to my operation.

Enquired about the surgery by calling the 0800 number. Spoke to a lovely lady who really put me at ease. I think her name was Mary. She told me all about the procedures and answered any questions I had with efficiency! I have yet to decide whether to proceed with the surgery but Mary has put my mind at ease. If I do proceed with the surgery I will go with Maxivision. I have not had a consultation yet but am I thinking about it, At the moment I am very nervous and having read some of the comments on here about getting money back afterwards, has made me unsure. But if the staff are friendly like Mary then I don't think I'll have a problem. I will keep you posted as to whether or not I have the surgery. Good luck to all those who are having it done too.

I had Lasik surgery performed a few weeks ago and am very happy with the results! The only thing that I found odd, was the fact that my direct debit had been refused over a silly reason like the company I work for is not registered with a specific telecommunications company. I am actually the sweetheart of all credit card company's and have never been refused before......regardless I was so excited to have the surgery that I paid for it up front without giving it another thought. Now a few of my friends I have recommended it to, seem to be having the similar referals regarding the interest free direct debits and it has just made me a little bit suspicious.

I was booked to have surgery this month (April), but have unfortunately had to cancel to go abroad. I was worried about getting a refund as I need the money before I go away, but received the full amount owed to me, £1760 within the 14 days promised. I will hopefully be back in this country later this year to have the treatment done.

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