Optical Express

The clip the kept my eye open was very painful...it felt like scooping my eyeball out which was very unusual according to all the painless reports on the web. However, it's worthwhile as I obtained better than 20/20 vision and had no infections so far, the waiting time was 2 hours in Shaftesbury Ave branch which may be a longer wait than any other branch in UK. They also told me after treatment that I was not supposed to take a tube home because of the dust but that was too late.

(Prescription -2.5 and -2.75)I opted for LASEK surgery as I have hayfever and thought that having a permanent flap might be an issue with rubbing my eyes. I was absolutely terrified before the surgery - I am a wimp - dentists terrify me so I expected it to be like that. When I went in to the laser suite the whole team were brilliant and put me at my ease. I sat in the chair and they talked to me throughout the whole procedure so there were no shocks. I was amazed when after what felt like a few seconds of gentle stroking across my eye followed by the click (and slight smell) of the laser they told me the first eye was done! That made the second eye all the easier and before I knew it, it was all over (about 35 minutes from start to finish). I know some people have experienced some pain or discomfort but I had the most amazing pain free experience. Afterwards I stood in reception booking my 48 hour follow up appointment and could read posters on the walls. I also had a very easy recovery. I worked religiously with the drops provided but didn't need the pain killers. I had some grittiness and itching but after about a week I was pain free - I think even the optometrist was surprised at how easy I had it. I would highly recommend optical express. (I went to Milton Keynes). The staff were friendly, helpful, supportive and informative. My only slight criticism would be they didn't seem to be able to stick to appointment times so there was a lot of waiting (take a book :-) Otherwise I was absolutely thrilled and still am.....oh and my vision is far better than 20/20

I had Lasik eye laser treatment in May 2006. I was nervous when I arrived at the Optical Express clinic at Barlow House in Manchester but was soon put at ease by the staff who were so reassuring and caring, in particular the Manager, Jenny. The surgery didn't hurt one bit, the best way I can describe it was "uncomfortable". I would recommend anybody to take a good pair of dark sunglasses with you as I was very light sensitive when I left the clinic. I went home to bed afterwards and woke up a couple of hours later and I COULD SEE!!! It is definatley the best money I have spend and wished I had had the procedure done sooner. The aftercare is wonderful too, but not half as wonderful as Mr Aziz the surgeon who gave me have 20-20 vision now! I would definately recommend this to anybody and most certainly advise you to go the Optical Express clinic, Barlow House, Minshull St, Mancester.

Hi, great to hear so many positive comments and I hope in a few weeks I can give some too. I had asitgmatism in both eyes -2.50 and +2.75 and paid £1090 for both eyes in Leeds. Had surgery a week a go and its probably still early days but long distance and some short distance is pretty poor, i've been passed for driving but don't feel that i am safe behind the wheel as vision is nowhere near as good as with glasses...hope i don't need retreament but i've got this feeling that no matter how many artificial tears they give you it ain't gonna get better...I also want to warn you about surgeons upselling to the wavefront treatment just before going into surgery when you are most vulnerable, i was left hanging by my surgeon thinking he wa going to cancel it if i did not take wavefront when they should have explained it way before the day of surgery that it would have been best for me...i chose not too take it and from what i hear it does not make things better for the patient its just a bit easier for the surgeons...i found that it did hurt not for long but a real stinging is felt and its a real lip biter...its great to be wearing shades and not wear glasses but its getting a bit annoying day after day with blurred vision...Fingers still crossed!

Had Lasik in Leeds clinic on 10th July. Still blurred in left eye which they say should clear on its own. Like others here i was terrified and the waiting room on the day of surgery was packed as the surgeon was an hour and a half late. Felt a bit rushed and the clip that holds eye open was agony for me. Aftercare is great. Night vision still poor as yet due to blurring. Still reach up to take glasses off at night when i go to bed though! Remember though everyone heals differently. I had -4.75 and -5 something with bad astigmatism in left eye. No £395 per eye for me! Nearer £1600. If blurring goes it will be worth it after 35 years of glass wearing.

Had surgery at Glasgow on the 14th July at the Glasgow branch of optical express (eye clinic?) wiht suzanne boytha. 10 days later I have better than 20/20 vision and all is well. Loving not having glasses!! Right! the place is a bit of a conveyor belt and you won't feel special! However the critical part for me is that the surgery was professional and clean and the surgeon obviously knows her stuff.

If you're reading this you're obviously considering laser eye surgery and have probably already read countless personal stories...I did too! I had Lasik surgery at the Leeds branch of Optical Express earlier this month and found the staff to be very friendly and informative. They were quite short staffed on the morning of my surgery but to give them their credit they kept me fully informed of what was happening as I went for scans and so on. I found the actual surgery pretty mcuh painless - but it is a touch uncomfortable for a couple of minutes prior to the actual laser treatment. Immediately afterwards you can see much clearer although it is very "foggy". You will definitely have the urge to close your eyes within minutes of the anasthetic drops wearing off so be prepared for that...and take some dark sunglasses with you! The best thing is to sleep for a few hours when you get home but within hours the vision is much better. Also follow the nurses advice with the eye drops and I'm sure you'll think it's one of the best decisions you'll ever have made! Good luck!

Had Lasik Wavefront on the 25th July at Newcastle. The initial consultation went really well and I felt really comfortable - thanks for that. Day of treatment went on but I hated being talked over while I was on the operating chair, talks about snowboarding - I am a Nurse myself and make sure I address the patient, so was a bit annoyed but didn't show it. Anyway surgery went well but was to me painful but only lasted a few mins. I should have had one eye treated but was offered both on the day of operation - which I took, not sure I made the correct decision as the eye I may not have needed surgery on is now much weaker than the other and it was my dominent eye - time will tell. The day after checkup showed me 2 lines better than 20/20 but my eyes went downhill for a few days and at my week checkup I was worse. I'm now at day 15 and my eyes are much better, just the one lagging behind, which I hope will catch up. I was treated for longsight and knew I would need readers. I can now see the distance really crisp and my middle distance is getting there but has slowed down improving now again hope it will continue. Reading is at 1.5 diopters - about what I was expecting.

I had Lasek wavefront surgery in June 2006 at Optical Express in Newcastle. I paid £1295 per eye (who pays £395?), but the benefit of no longer needing glasses or contact lenses is well worth it. The procedure itself was uncomfortable, as opposed to being painful, and for a couple of hours after my eyes felt really gritty. After that they were fine and I could see by teatime. The next day I had driving standard vision and now have better than 20/20 vision. My only bugbear was that as a user of daily disposable contact lens I had accumulated 5 months of spares. If I had been asked whether I had these I could have put their value (£125) toward the surgery. As it was, after the surgery I returned them and was offered gift vouchers (not much use now!) Eventually after alot of discussion I was offered cash and vouchers which I accepted. I would just say to anybody with a stock of lens, please mention at your initial consultation. Aside from this I would definitely recommend both the surgery and the clinic. The staff were all really helpful and professional.

Hi Had my treatment (Lasik wavefront) on Tuesday 5 September at Bluewater. What can I say, hardly any waiting around they test your eyes twice before the actual procdure to make sure you can still go ahead. Staff were brilliant very helpful and kind explained each step and understood that it was nervous for us waiting, it was good to know that some of the staff there had undergone the treatment themselves so it was peace of mind. Before the procdure the surgeon explained again the procdure and what to expect again although very nervous I wanted to understand what was about to happen. A nurse offered to hold my hand and once in the laser room it was very quick. No pain at all, the eyes are held open by an object that is springy and if you struggle against it may be uncomfortable but I felt no pain and relaxed after the first eye was done as I then knew what to expect on the second eye. Eyes wanted to close about 15 minutes after the procdure. Straight after the treatment I was put into a dark room then checked by a nurse then by the surgeon drops went in and then I was given the all clear to go. Like I say eyes wanted to close so I had a lay down, eyes felt a little gritty for about 2 hours but slept it off. After about 5 hours eyes felt good not dry or gritty and I had good vision that improved as the day wore on. The next day I could see everything which is brilliant and was given the all clear to drive at the 24 hour check, I was told that I had 20 20 vision but vision will still improve over the next few weeks. This has been the best thing I have done better than glasses or contacts feel as if I have some freedom for the first time having worn glasses for 20 years. If you are thinking of having it done then go for it, prices are better than other places £1400 was the total price for me but will differ from person to person but if you weigh up the cost of glasses and contacts over the years its worth it. I would recommend Bluewater for treatment.