Optical Express

I had Lasik Wavefront at Leeds on 14 April. I should've had it done on 11 April but there was a problem with the laser so I was sent home (better safe than sorry!). I haven't been overly impressed with the service as, among other things, I was told at my consultation that there wouldn't be any real benefit in me having Wavefront but when I met the surgeon he told me that I ought to have Wavefront as people with larger pupils are more likely to suffer glare etc at night. Rather than taking the risk I paid the extra £800 to have the more advanced surgery. The surgery itself was over really quickly. I was worried about the flaps being cut but it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. It wasn't pleasant but wasn't painful either. I kept my eyes closed on the way home as it was really sunny and went straight to bed when I got in. My surgery was finished by 5:30pm and by 8:45pm I was reading a takeaway menu (although still with my sunglasses on)! The next day I could see clearly (as well I had with glasses or contact lenses) and had no pain at all. I had my check up the day after surgery and everything was fine. Now I just need to take my drops and remember that I don't need to take my contact lenses out before bed! Very impressed with the surgery and pleased that I chose Lasik over Lasek after much deliberation, although the choice depends on each individual. If you decide to go ahead with the surgery try not get too worked up beforehand as its probably not going to be half as bad as you imagined and the results are well worth it.

Lasek. Milton Keynes May 2nd Had Lasek with Dr Kain. Told due to the prescription in my left eye -6. Had 5% risk of haze. Just before the op. told they didnt have the medicine need for the haze did I still want to go through with the Op. or come back Had taken a 3 hour journey to get there so just said get on with it. Thought was quite poor that they didn't have the medicine. Hey I paid £1,690. Expect them to all the correct medication 1st day back in Norwich branch, told had 20/20 in my right eye already. Unusual. Left eye was clearly not very good though. 5 days gone. Drove today for first time. Right eye is quite good and left eye is reasonable but deteriates during the day. Really hope it will get better and soon and I won't have the haze in my left eye. Any ideas please anyone how long before I can expect to see the best results.

The surgery was short, and all the staff were reassuring. Although i was sore for a few hours, I felt well recovered by the next day, well to carry on with my everyday activities.

I attended the Shaftsbury avenue clinic for a consultation and was advised that I would be suitable for lasik treatment and opted for the wavefront surgery for a total of £1795 (both eyes). I had been to a competitor and was quoted £3000 for the same so this seemed reasonable. I was told I would be able to have surgery on the Saturday and be able to return to work with near perfect vision on the Monday. When I attended for surgery I met with the surgeon and was told I could not have lasik and would have to have lasek and would probably need a week off work. This was very upsetting as I was not at all prepared for this as the staff at my consultation had not explained this at all. The surgeon's accent was also very strong and this made it very difficult to understand what he was saying. I was subsequently counselled by a member of the team who explained things further and put me at ease. I underwent the lasek surgery and found the immediate results amazing. My eyes became painful, as expected, over the next few days and, whilst I was able to see things around me, I was unable to use a computer and read so I could not work. When I went back to the clinic to have the contact lens bandages removed, my left eye had not healed too well and the optician put another lens in. This caused such severe discomfort I could not see at all and had to have my boyfriend guide me home as I could not keep my eyes open due to the pain. This was very very upsetting. I went back for a second time to have the contact lens removed and was seen by an optician who instilled confidence in me for the first time. She looked at my left eye and informed me that the contact lens that had been put in was torn and that was the reason for my sever discomfort. Once this was taken out, my vision and level of comfort improved rapidly over the next few days and I was able to drive a week after my surgery. I found the whole experience rather slap-dash; some of the staff are obviously well trained and care about their patients. Others seem to not understand how seriously you are going to take having surgery on your eyes and adopt a rather careless attitude to the way you are treated. I would recommend the surgery, but the service was rather below par; I guess that's why it is so much cheaper than other places.

I had Lasik Wavefront at Birmingham on 9th June performed by Mr George. After reading many (possibly all!) comments on this website, i will now tell you my experience and hopefully this will be of some help to you. I originally went to the Manchester Optical Express Clinic for my consultation and because I wanted Wavefront Surgery within the the next 3 weeks, it meant I had to travel to Birmingham for the laser treatment which i did not mind. My prescription in both eyes is -3 and i paid £2,400 both eyes - not exactly £395 per eye - but i was assured this is the BEST treatment. However, the only way to describe my experience at Birmingham is that of a "factory line". I was made to wait over 3 hours in a waiting room with other people checking in for eye tests, contact lens checks, laser consultation, etc. I thought this was a bit poor because i was extremely nervous and would have thought there would be private waiting room for people undergoing laser surgery. My partner could not believe we were made to wait in their normal everyday waiting room when clearly, i needed a calm atmosphere and most of all some privacy. After 1.5 hours, i was then moved to a tiny waiting room with 4 other people waiting for their surgery with their partners. When we arrived, there were no seats and stood outside the room until a sofa became available. I then witnessed the factory line - One person in, 15 minutes later, a door opened and they came out of the laser room (in full view) with red eyes and was then took in another room - i was PETRIFIED! I didnt think this was professional at all. Maybe this is because Optical Express is cheaper than the likes of Ultralase, etc, but when paying £2,400, i would have expected a little more privacy and reassurance. After over a THREE hour wait,it was my turn and i was extremely nervous. Infact, any longer, and i probably would have walked as apparently i was going into shock. Nobody should have to wait in those conditions when undergoing any type of surgery. Mr George asked me did i want to go ahead with the Lasik because i could have Lasek if i wanted to. This upset me because i was in no state to be deciding 5 minutes before surgery whether i should swap the procedure around. I stuck with lasik and signed yet more consent forms (for my larger than average pupils!) which would put most people off. The surgery itself is not as bad as you would tend to think. It really isnt. But obviously, your eyes are so precious and naturally you are so worried of the risks. I had previously read that you cannot feel anything when the surgeon performs surgery on the first eye, but the second eye you can feel. This happened to me. The second eye was much more uncomfortable, and i could feel everything he did - but no pain. The suction did not bother me, neither did seeing the flap being put back but i did not like the sensation of the bracket on my left eye - this i could feel - along with the pressure. But absolutely NO PAIN. Please be assured of that. It has now been 3 days. I have better than 20/20 vision, but my eyes are very dry. They are also still a bit misty and i have had to take the day off work. There is no pain, just an uncomfortable sensation, a bit like a very dry contact lens in your eye - but you cannot take it out! I am hoping that the mist and dryness dissapears over the next few days as i am still in the recovery period and maybe i am wanting to run before i can walk. But obviously, i am concerned and would like to know if anyone else is suffering from dry/misty eyes 3 days after surgery? BUT! Being able to see when i wake up first thing in the morning is truly amazing and i would say it is worth it - no more contact lenses!!! but at your consultation maybe ask to see where you will have to wait before surgery? I wish i had!

Hi, had surgery 7th April and the day after vision was superb! 1 week on I'd gone from -4.5 to slightly longsighted but was assured this was reasonably normal in healing. 1 month later was -0.5 shortsighted with an astigmatism, all sight is slightly blurred and at my next month visit I will be considered for another op. I'm a bit disappointed but the freedom from contacts and glasses is fantastic - now I know what to expect from the op I won't be as worried about going through it although I will make sure I'm not working on my PC for 9 hours a day 2 days later (give your eyes a rest). I really think a proper pricing structure should be advertised, us contact lens wearers know our prescription and the industry needs to be more open about what it's really going to cost. Still overall I am pleased I had it done and have had no real complications so GO FOR IT!

Overall happy with procedure..

More than happy with the results since the op. Little nervous before I went in , but in and out in 10 mins and my eyes were perfect. Has made a huge difference in my everyday life, and without the hassle of contacs and glasses.

I had my wavefront lasik surgery on the 22nd June 06 at the new Nottingham clinic. My first consultation was excellent, all info given and all questions answered. Given date for op as 21st June. Arrived for appointment and due to a wavefront machine malfunction was sent sent home until the next day. Now although this wasn't a huge problem it did mean extra days off work for me and my hubby and even more parking fees not to mention the anxiety and nerves!!!! But at least they were ensuring quality with there machines. The bit that did bother me was the noticeable lack of confidence in the staff when trying to overcome the problem and advise the patients of what was happening. All that aside my vision is apparently better than 20/20 although I have advised them that although one day it is pretty good other days are pretty blurry!!! Apparently this is due to dry eyes and should improve over the next few weeks. The procedure itself was a doddle would not worry if I had to go through that bit again and yes it was like a bad poke in the eyes for 2 hours after which you are advised to try and sleep through, 2 paracetamol and I was out having a meal some 5 hours afterwards. Bearing all this in mind I am happy so far with the results and hope to be thrilled with even more improvements over the next few weeks. Oh and by the way the surgeon Stefan was great no probs there. (I think thats the important bit) I am sure the staff at Notts will be alot more confident when the clinic has been running a few more months. Will post an update to advise if the dry eyes get better in a few weeks or so. (Just in case anybody needs any reassurance)

My mom had the lasik wavefront treatment in april 06, and paid £2,600, initially for 24 hours she was in extreme discomfort with soreness to the eyes, after the pain had sub-sided she noticed an improvement to her vision which unfortunately was short lived as it decreased as the weeks went by, she is frightened to drive in the dark and when she looks at anyone or watches tv, they all look as if they have 3 of everything!! she has been back today (august) and has been told she needs an enhancement which she is dreading having done again! if she had her chance again she says she wouldnt of bothered, she would of spent the money on a boob job!!!