Optical Express

10 days after having Lasek at Manchester, I am absolutely delighted with the results. The procedure itself is painless, quick and not particularly uncomfortable. Recuperation was also pretty swift - the day after the procedure was spent indoors with the curtains shut and it was sometimes difficult to open my eyes. The following day was much better, just light sensitve in bright sunlight, and things were even better a day later. Vision is already better than when I used to wear my contact lenses and expected to improve further over the next couple of weeks. The staff were all great on every visit, giving full answers to any questions. It's great to finally wake up in the morning and see things clearly and I would recommend anyone who is fed up wearing glasses and / or contact lenses to give it a go. Thanks to everyone at Optical Express for their help in making this happen.

I had Lazek surgery to just one eye in October 2003 at the age of 46. Slightly short sighted, I had been struggling for some time with the battle between reading and distance vision, and the constant annoyance of having to take my glasses off to read. I felt it would be beneficial to me to try monovision (dominant eye for distance vision and non-dominant eye for close vision). So I had my dominant eye corrected and my non-dominant eye left as it was at -1.75. This has proved to be a good trade off, my overall vision is very good for both distance and close. Although there are certain situations where it is not perfect, such as distances of around 3-4 feet where neither eye would focus perfectly anyway (we can't expect to have it all though, can we?). I am delighted with the outcome of the surgery, I don't use glasses at all now which has made my life much easier and given me much more confidence. The surgery itself was painless and the recovery less uncomfortable than I expected. Because Lazek has a slower recovery time than Lazik I took to my bed for the first day or two and took the rest of the week off work. My vision stabilised after about a month and in less than a year the eye healed completely with no signs whatsoever of surgery taking place.

Hi I am due to have LASIK at the branch in Bristol. Any Comments about the branch good or bad?

I had my LASIK the 8th Sept. So far so good. Thought i'd share some hints. I was quite nervous about the whole thing so bought some homeopathic remedy.. Star of Bethlehem to take as a tincture in water. Started to use it 3 days before and it seemed to calm me down. I also bought some 30c Arnica pillules which i started taking at the same time, and still taking now, to promote healing and lessen shock and bruising. Don't know what effect the 2 things have really had, but according to the clinic my vision and healing is ahead of scheduled progress so who knows.. Also take with you to the clinic a pair of sunglasses, as dark as you can get , as your eyes will be pretty sensitive to light after. Also take with you your pain relief of preference, a drink and something to eat. In the 4 mins after the procedure my eyes felt v uncomfortable but i had to wait to see the surgeon. All the patients were told they could take their pain relief once they had eaten and drunk something. Luckily i had a sandwich with me, so i could have my painkilers while i waited. Others didn't and were trapped there wishing they had something.. Good Luck!

UNCOMFORTABLE yet pain free, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. However the profesionalism of the staff and clinical team far outwieghed the 2 minutes of discomfort I had to endure. This is a cliche to say it but after 19 years of glasses and contacts I feel as if I have had a miracle performed. -6 -5.5 was my previous but now within 36 hours I have 20-20 vision. If your considering this treatment, stop reading this and contact Optical Express in Newcastle and get it done. The best £1200.00 I have ever invested in my Life

4 months after Lasik, with left eye short sighted to counteract need for reading glasses (monovision). I happily recommend this treatment, and Optical Express in Newcastle. I was unsure about monovision and was given a supply of contact lenses to try out the effect. You do get some odd situations, as things are blurred if only the left eye can see them, such as actors on a stage if there is a person with a big head in front of you. I'm sure its not for everyone, but I am pleased. The preparation and information was thorough, even my wife was impressed (she is a doctor). I had no problems with the surgery. Afterwards I found I had no tolerance to alcohol for a couple of weeks, which I guess is the brain getting used to new sight. So many things are so much easier, watching tv, swimming (so that's what goggles are for!), tennis, sailing. Using a computer is not the best, it tends be at an intermediate range, and I have to force the left eye to take over. I'm pleased with the aftercare too, again I've had no problems, but its reassuring to know that someone is looking out for anything. Considering the amount of attention I've had (and the cost of glasses) I think the price is very reasonable. I've spoken to people who say they would only have somethng like this done in a hospital, and yes it is a bit of a production line, but I have no problem with the process, and the location is very convenient (though I resent paying Newcastle parking fees). There are two things which I can't understand; why is there a light outside the opticians rooms which changes colour, makes the people waiting feel rather strange; and why do so many of the people who work in laser surgery wear glasses, do they not know what a good job they do?

I recently had laser surgery at the Newcastle branch of Optical Express and I cannot fault them at all!! It's now just over a week since surgery and my eyesight is almost perfect and still improving. The staff were helpful and friendly at all times even though I kept pestering them with a million questions! They really put me at my ease and made the whole procedure much easier.

I had the LASKEK procedure performed with my prescription being -5 & -5.25. initially I was concerned about having LASKEK rather than LASIK as I did not find much information about peoples experiences on the internet. I could not have LASIK as the thickness of my cornea was not suitable. Optical Express picked up on the fact that I had scaring on one of my eyes that could potentially lead to an increased risk of hazing. Before they would continue they sent me for a second opinion and based on this they gave me all the information to make an informed decision. The procedure was quick and painless. Every step of the procedure was explained carefully and proceeded at a pace that I was happy with. I had an initial recovery period of approximately 3 days. At my 4 day checkup I had borderline driving quality vision. I have just had my 6 week checkup and have found that I can now read the line on the test that is two rows smaller than that required for driving ability. I have not experienced any haze for nightime vision. I though the experience would be rather daunting but it was a whole lot better than I'd anticipated. I cannot beleive the difference now with not having to wear glasses or contact lenses. It's not until you don't have to live with it that you realise how much of a bind they were, wished I'd have had it done sooner!!

I had my Lasek surgery on the 24/07/04 in the Glasgow clinic. After a few years of will i? wont i? i decided to go for it! i had my consultation on the 27/03/04, the staff where all very helpful, they explained everything about all the different tests that where being carried out on my eyes that day. When all tests where finished ( none of these at all painful or uncomfortable) i was taken to the laser room waiting area where the optometrist/ patient counsellor went through all aspects of the surgery ( pros and cons). Any question i had was answered. It took me a while to decide but when i eventually did i booked the appointment. On the day of my surgery i arrived and had to wait about an hour then was taken in to see the surgeon who was treating me Mr (DR)Jain who explained the procedure. Then i was taken to the treatment room had to lie on the bed where numbing drops where put in my eyes, then one eye at a time the clamp was put in the flap was made, eye was rinsed with more solution(no pain at all but slight discomfort with the lights in my eyes as i have hayfever and my eyes are sensitive to lights!) then i was told to stare at the red light which was the laser. One eye took 14 secs the other 17secs. Through the whole thing i felt no pain at all, though i did smell burning. That night i went home with all my after care advice and drops for my eyes and went to bed with a couple of painkillers.The next few days my eyes where not painful but very gritty and teary it felt like someone had poked there finger in them, they where also very sensitve in the sunlight. I would say it took about 1 week for me to see just how successful the surgery had been. Now 1 month on and its great i am back to 20/20 vision and my specs are lying at the bottom of my drawer! I didnt need my glasses for everything and my prescription was not too bad but i was starting to rely on them more, so i decided to have the laser surgery before my eyes got any worse and its the best thing i have ever done! i would say if you want rid of the specs go for it!

I've had to wear strong glasses since my early school years, being able to focus only about two feet in front of me without my glasses. I had the lasik treatment at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne branch of Optical Express a week ago and still have to keep reminding myself that I'm not wearing contacts. The procedure was painless and the staff were excellent. After wearing glasses for 15 years I'd recommend this treatment to anyone.