Optical Express

I had my eyes treated in October 2005 at Optical Express in Minshall Street Manchester and would recommend the treatment to anyone considering it, my life has change for the better - also the staff there were excellent knowledgeable and caring - also they make a great cuppa coffee.

Had surgery in Birmingham. Lasek. Fantastic clinic very helpful. Amazing results, hurt for the first few days then great.

Had Lasik on 3rd January 2006 at Birmingham. What a wait over 4 hours! when you are paying for treatment you expect a little better service, however the staff were all friendly and efficient. It seemed to me that the surgeon was waiting to see everyone and then programme the computer for the procedure, if we were told this at the initial stage we could have been better prepared. My surgery went very well (an interesting experience) a little bit of discomfort the first evening (as though you have been chopping strong onions) next day check up went fine; no waiting. 3rd day (now) vision is more blurry today than yesterday, but a vast improvement on continually having to change specs for reading or normal wear. Just had to buy some cheap reading glasses which I had been forewarned about. Look forward to the continued improvement over the next few weeks.

I had Lasik treatment in October at the Newcastle branch. The staff were both knowledgable, friendly and efficient. Its a nice environment and the whole operation comes across as very professional. They were also flexible with respect to changing of dates. The surgery was quick and painless and I could see immediately after the operation. I had sore eyes for three hours after the operation and from then on in I've had almost know discomfort. The eyes are on occasions slightly dry but eye drops remove any discomfort. Post surgery, the support has also been excellent. After the operation I was asked to attend the clinic the next day, a week later, three weeks later and six weeks later to monitor for any problems. My vision was back to twenty twenty after three weeks and has remained at this level. I have another appointment after five months. I would thoroughly recommend Optical Express to anyone who is thinking of undertaking eye surgery based upon my experience. I can't think of a single area that they could have improved.

Had my consultation at Sheffield Meadowhall on New Years Eve and although I think they were a little short staffed due to the time of year, the Optician and 'Councillor' were excellent and answered what questions I had. I intend to return this weekend and book my surgery but am still undecided on IK or EK. EK seams the safer option but IK appears to be better for recovery. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. For info both eyes are -2.75 and apparently I have good cornea thickness (over 6 in each) Im 42 and understand that I will need 'readers' but feel the benefit of longer distance worth the risk. Thanks

Customer Service is absolutely appalling. I cancelled my surgery almost four weeks ago (military movements mean that I can't go back for the next six months!), and I have been promised my deposit back for the last 3 weeks. The Southampton branch have shown absolutely no effort in recovering this money for me (they take it by Switch, then refund it by cheque - obviously in their favour!). I have had to phone them on a weekly basis, and been promised the money. I was considering coming back to Optical Express when I am back in the country, but I get the feeling that other people have said that "they only want your money" - and they may be right. Shoddy, I could't recommend them to anyone at the moment.

An update on my last report. I had bilateral lasik done at Optical Express in Glasgow. At one week and one month appointment I had better than 20:20 vision. At my three month appointment two weeks ago I am now slightly short sighted. Not so much that I require glasses and the optician said that it would delay my need for reading glasses by a few years from when I might have needed them when my vision was better. I am still very happy with the results and hope my eyesight does not get any worse or I will go back and have it redone.

Have just been for a consulatation today at Newcastle. They have suggested Lasek surgery with monovision. I am concerned about recovery time(was hoping for Lasik)as self employed and could not be without work for long. Not sure about monovision and would like to hear from anyone who has had this done.

Has Lasek done 6 days ago at Birmingham branch. Mr George recommended Lasek as I had very thin corneas. Had heard stories of pain following procedure so was very nervous. However, no pain just grittiness and smarting of the eyes for 3 days. Found the smarting got worse after having had the bandage lenses out and could not bear light for about 12 hours after but now am fine. Vision is still a little blurry but fantastic improvement (-4.75 and -5.75 pre op). I still have a little discomfort in one eye - it feels like I have something in it - but on the whole am very pleased. Vision seems to be improving and I realise it is a slower process with Lasek so am hoping for fantastic vision in a few months. I would not hesitate in recommending Lasek, it is fantastic to wake and not fumble for my glasses after 35 years!! The only little grumble I have about Birmingham branch is the waiting. I was booked in for treatment at 2.30pm and was still waiting at 5.10pm! This makes the anticipation worse and by the time I got into the treatment room I was a nervous wreck. This waiting is not uncommon as three family members have had the same experience. My advice is to take a book to read and try tostay calm as the procedure is so simple and pain free, the anticipation and waiting is the worst part of the treatment but well worth it.

I had LASIK done on 10th December in the Birmingham Clinic, with Dr George. My prescription was -4.25 in both eyes, which was too high to have mono treatment, and the scariest thing about the whole procedure for me was the fact that I did have both eyes done at the same time. The results so far, after 2 weeks, are amazing. I had better-than-20:20 vision after less than 24 hours, and this is still the case. The procedure was a bit nerve-wrecking, but absolutely painless. And it only takes a few minutes (nothing compared to the 3 hours we all had to wait in the waiting room), and immediately after I could read the time on the clock. Without my glasses, I wouldn't have even seen the wall, let alone read the time! I found that the main discomfort only lasted for about 3 hours, which I spent sleeping anyway. After that, I wore my sunglasses for about 1.5 days, but really didn't have any discomfort to speak of. I didn't need any painkillers. The discomfort was completely gone after less than a week, and I even stopped taking the artifial tears after 10 days. I only use them now first thing in the morning. I am obviously really pleased and have recommended this treatment to many colleagues (it's amazing how many people are keen to do this but hesitate to take the 'risk'). I am aware of the possibility that my sight might still deteriorate again in a few months or a year or so, but I know I could then have a top-up operation, and in any case, it's unlikely to go back to what it was like. I thought the web-information on my consultant, Mr George, didn't do him justice. He is obviously really experienced and the team know exactly what they're doing. So, thank you to the Birmingham team.