Optical Express

Was really apprehensive and the recovery was a little difficult for the first few days (Lasek) but very much worth it now. Was offered the £395 per eye treatment due to low prescription. Opted to pay extra for wavefront (extra £400 per eye) as wanted the best possible outcome. I've written a detailed blow by blow with pictures at: http://www.benfrain.com/notepad/2009/01/lasek-eye-laser-treatment-recovery-and.html (Cut and Paste into you browser) For me, I feel it was worth every penny. Always hated wearing glasses and lenses and can now swim, play football, mountain bike etc without taking a lens case and spare glasses etc.

i'm very pleased with the results of the surgery and also with care given by the staff at the clinic. i was very nervous on the day of the surgery but everybody was very good with me and really looked after me. i would definitely do it again and would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

Only into second 24hours but already am really pleased with the results. Optical Express very profesisonal. I was absolutely bricking it before hand and nearly bottled out. The surgeon Mr Stefan Klopper was fantastic: calm, gentle. He offered me more time to think things over and made it clear that it was my decision to have the surgery. He also made the risks and complictations completely clear to me - no flannel, no sales talk, no 'pushiness'. The procedure was over within seconds - the intralase bit was by far the most uncomfortable: the suction cup that applies pressure on your eye wasn't painful but wasn't without feeling either, despite the drops. However, one of the attendants counted down the 18seconds it took to cut the flap and boy ... that made all the difference! I felt I could cope with 18secs of discomfort!!! The actual laser bit, although a bit smelly - yes it does smell! - was over in around 10 seconds. Aftercare advise was clear and staff friendly. I in fact ended up being at the centre for longer than necessary - not because of delays on their part but becuase my lift couldn't pick me up quick enough ... that's how fast the procedure took!!! Pain: sale of 1-10 around 3 or 4. No where near as painful as childbirth!!! And the stinging was limited to a couple of hours - 6 hours later and everything was fine. One bit of advise ... BUY AND BRING YOUR PAINKILLERS WITH YOU!!! I thought that they supplied painkillers - they don't. I had to be led into Boots to buy ibuprofen after the event with increasingly tingly eyes. All in all fab. So far really pleased. Have had post-op check and have better vision than with glasses ... and they say that it will keep getting better! Rock on!

My prescription was -5.25 in both eyes. I had my consultation at the Westfields branch and my surgery at Harey Street with Dr Blumenfield After my first check up I was a bit dubious as I had read other reviews on here saying Optical Express gave a hard sell, and funnily enough they did recommend the most expensive treatment. So I went to a few other clinics to get a second opinion (which I would highly recommend). I was told at Accuvision that my cornea was just borderline thick enough to allow me to have Lasik treatment (500-550ish microns) and they recommended Lasek. I then did my own research and found out that intralase treatments result in a thinner 'flap' and are therefore more suitable for people with thinner corneas (Accuvision only have the option of manual flap creation when undertaking lasik procedures). So I was wrong in my worry that I had been recommended the most expensive treatment as a sales technique. There is still an element of risk as it makes me less suitable for a re-treatment should something go wrong, and obviously I can't yet advise about the long term effects. However I weighed up these risks against my preference to have the less painful treatment. I had initially booked for lasek treatment and paid a deposit to Accuvision. However when I phoned up 2 weeks before the procedure they were very good and gave me my deposit back straight away with no fuss. I had the treatment 24 hours ago. The treatment wasn't painful at all, a bit weird because I knew what was going on, but not painful. The first three hours my eyelids were very heavy and I struggled to open my eyes, it was very difficult to fight the urge to scrunch up my eyes, and they felt very gritty. I kept my eyes closed for most of the evening and after about 6 hours it just felt like I had a dry/uncomfortable contact lens in. The day of the treatment took about 2 hours (most of it hanging around waiting to have various tests done). I didn't spend very much time with the surgeon himself. A quick check up where he asked if I had any questions (which he would have answered). However, as by this time I was committed to the payment, I had asked all my questions to the optometrists beforehand! This morning I am fine. My vision seems the same as when I wear contact lenses. I am really looking forward to waking up in the morning (once I no longer have to wear the googles) and being able to see! I have my one day check up in a few hours, and if any of my opinions change I will be sure to update on here.

I have 2 £50 vouchers for treatment. If you want one then send me an email with your address and I will post it to you. I think you can only use one per person. Cheers

All i can say is it's the best thing i've ever done! After wearing glasses for 17 years(since i was 7), i can't believe my glasses are still in the bag that was given to me at the clinic. I keep thinking it's dream! Did i ever wear glasses I was able to get an appointment within a week for both my consultation and surgery, Optical express was great, the surgeon was reassuring, i would recommend them and the treatment to everyone i know. thank you optical express you've changed my life!

I cannot rate the treatment highly enough. The surgery was painless and my surgeon Mr Tom Materman at Bristol very professional and skilled. You only get one set of eyes so I was a bit nervous of what was about to happen. I had no need to worry and now have better than 20/20 sight. If anyone would like further information or a money off voucher please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be pleased to talk you through my experience. You can contact me by clicking on the link from this posting Kind regards Paul

I had my surgery just over 2 weeks ago now and what can I say....it's absolutely fantastic! I had my surgery at the Meadowhall branch and all the staff, since my first consultation there have always been brilliant - really friendly and helpful. I was so nervous on the day of my procedure, but there was absolutely nothing to be nervous about. My surgeon Dr Samuels re-assured me and answered any last minute questions I had before going in. Once in the laser room, I laid down on a kind of dentist chair, where my anaesthetic drops were put in to my eyes. I must have been shaking like a leaf as I was asked if I would like a nurse to hold my hand! Of course, I snapped up their offer and it really helped calm my nerves. I have to say the actual suction was pretty uncomfortable, and also when they clamp your eye just before lasering was too, but apart from that it's pretty painless - just a very weird feeling! I sat up from the chair about five minutes after entering the room and I could already see the clock on the wall - which I would never have seen before, and also managed to see and wave at my mum and dad, who were sat right at the end of the corridor so already I was over the moon! Apart from the cloudiness, and the slight stinging in my right eye my vision was already a million times better than before. I was talked through my drops by the lovely lady who held my hand throughout my procedure and told to just go home and rest. By the time I was home, and despite the painkillers, my eyes were really starting to sting and they were watering like crazy. I gave into the urge to close my eyes, and managed to sleep for a few hours. I woke with my eyes still a little cloudy which stayed with me for most of the night but woke up the next morning fine. They were quite bloodshot - especially my right eye, which is still a bit bruised. I went for my post op check-up the next day and found my left eye had a bit of inflammation and so had to take extra drops and go back the following day to make sure everything was OK. This had thankfully cleared up OK, and two weeks on my vision is great! I still have a bit of dryness in the mornings and late at night but nothing that my blink drops can't fix. I know how much reading these reviews helped me when I was deciding whether to have my eyes done, and I have to say, it is by far the best decision I've made. My advice to you - If you're thinking of having it done just go for it!! It will change your life :)

From my initial appointment the staff has been exceptional. The friendly staff at Tunbridge Wells have excelled in all departments. Offering help, advise assurance throughout my treatment. I would certainly encourage others to use Optical express.

The surgery was just as had been explained to me, I did not feel anything during the very quick procedure, and I was advised all through the surgery what was happening. I wish I had done it years ago, There was an instant inmprovement in my vision, from the minute the procedure was completed. The worst part was being so sensative to the light, but this only lasted for a couple of days. It is now a week since the procedure and I am feeling great.