Optical Express

I had bilateral PRK at Milton Keynes on 13th October. I was really nervous going in, especially when I found out I couldn't have the sedative due to ashtma. When I went in for my surgery I was quite literally terrified! The staff were fantastic and literally held my hand all the way through. The laser lasted 27 seconds per eye and I really couldn't feel a thing. When the anasthetic wore off, I was in a great deal of pain (as I couldn't take sleeping tablets) for about six hours. The following day (Monday) all the pain had gone but my eyes were a bit blurry. On Tuesday the lenses felt a bit uncomfortable so I went to the Eye clinic. They were very surprised that the epitheleum had healed already!! and removed the bandage lenses. I haven't looked back since. My Left eye is perfect and my right is -0.2 (and improving every day). The staff and surgeon were excellant, as is the foillow-up care. I would say it is well worth it - even having been in pain - for the end result.

I was +3.25 in both eyes and found that Maxivision was one of the few companys that would offer treatment. Had the surgery in London on 22nd Sept 2002, no pain but slightly uncomfortable. Aftercare was in Watford "David Clulows" opticians who did not provide a very good service at all, so I elected to travel to London for the remaining visits. The results, well, the jury is still out as of 24th Oct. My vision is fantastic up close which I didn't really expect,I was told I would need reading glasses but at the moment I can see the tiniest print.My long sight is still blurred and I had to stop driving for a week or so.It is getting better but still not sharp.Be warned, the healing process can take time! Maxivision are very proffessional and the staff are superb.The facilities were 1st class and the aftercare has been what I would expect for the money. My only problem is that I was told that they would match my current prescription and so far that has not been the case.

To Beverly; Clive Mortimer treated me and my eye sight is now better than 20:20. He is one of the best in the business and you have nothing to worry about! - Good luck!!

I have just had my initial consultation in Bath and I found the consultant a little too carefree about saying how everything would be fine even though my pupils are quite large. However, what I thought was really good is that the optometrist who examined my eyes was very open about the treatment and not on commission either, so I could ask her lots of questions and get truthful, knowledgeable answers! I have decided to go ahead with the LASIK operation - I think, but would welcome feedback from anyone who has had the op with Mr Pandit in London - please? I must admit that my major concern is night vision. Any words of comfort would be most welcome.

Went for a consultation saw Darcy. My eyes -7.5 and only LASIK suitable. Given a good taliking to by beth and andrew, fairly happy. Next day darcy calls to explain that I need to see a specialist due to my pupils being different sizes and cancelled my surgery. I subsequently spoke to a few people and am now investigating zyoptix which seems to give better results and copes better with a thinnish cornea like one eye

I telephoned Optimax, Ultrlase and Boots as well as Maxivision, and Maxivision are the only people I found who actually gave personal service. Boots passed me from pillar to post and the others were answering machines. That is what made me choose Maxivision straight away. I have been for my consultation and found Maxivision to be very honest about my expectations. I am due to have surgery in two weeks but am at ease knowing they will be there to answer any more questions I have.

I have a consultation booked for the 27/10/02 and have pre-booked the op for a week later. Having looked at several companies Maxivision were the most helpful, which is the main reason I have picked them. Boots were my next choice although they were not overly helpful with my telephone queries, whereas Maxivision have been very helpful in my numerous telephone queries. If I am unhappy about anything at the consultation will not go ahead with op (or obviously if am advised not too). Was a little concerned because Maxivision are cheaper than Boots but they all SEEM to offer the same service? I have my op booked with Mr. J. Pandit at their clinic in Wimpole Street, London. Have not read any feedback on Mr. Pandit, will keep you updated.

My name is Beverley and today I have had my free consultation at The Eye Clinic in Southampton. I need some moral support from patients who have had treatment at Southampton by a Proffesor Clive Mortimer - How do I find out if he is a fully experienced surgeon used to the procedures? PLEASE WILL SOMEBODY HELP ME I AM VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT IT.

I had LASIK surgery on my eyes at the Reading clinic on Saturday 28th September and, in a word, I am delighted with the results. My prescription was -3.75 (L) and -4.75®, no astigmatism problem and, as regards the thickness of the cornea, it was well within limits. My vision had been stable at this prescription for over 5 years. All in all, I was an ideal case for this treatment. To start with, whilst the people at the Cheapside clinic in London (where I work) were very polite and nice, I didn't think that they were as sharp as I expected in terms of customer service. However, all was arranged reasonably well in the end. My big gripe is that I did consider having the treatment at Shaftesbury Avenue. I was told that they had a special rate with a local hotel - £99 per night. Apparently, the walk-in price is £129 so no great saving there. My gripe? Well, other people had been offered the hotel free of charge (or had their bill paid for them). For the money these clinics charge, it is shameful that they still feel the need to treat customers so unfairly (and thereby put themselves in a poor light). And so to Reading. No-one got back to me regarding the surgeon, Mr Kheterpal, by the way. On arrival, I was greeted really nicely and looked after well (the staff really gave the impression that they were glad you were there and couldn't do enough for you - well done to them!). I had a quick eye check of sorts and the admin stuff was sorted out. Then I was taken downstairs by Chris, a local Uni student who worked there on Saturdays - he was talkative, pleasant, very helpful and tried to put me at ease. Then I met Lisa, my carer. Again, you couldn't have ased for a nicer person. She did go on about me being able to hold her hand through the surgery, with me thinking why I (reasonably macho etc etc) would ever feel the need to hold hands. Ha! (Lisa, thanks, hope I didn't squeeze your hand too hard, you were great!) Mr Kheterpal was next on the scene and went through the procedure carefully, probed my understanding and took his time to answers questions and correct my understanding. After another eye test, I put on the various bits and Lisa led me into the laser room. I was then sat on the chair, the back reclined fully, me aligned(!) and then the chair (a bed at this stage) was swung under the laser. Some anaesthetic drops were inserted, the flap was cut and folded back and the laser took 31 secs ® and 24 secs (L). Altogether about 10 minutes?? It was very clinical and precise with Mr Kheterpal's assistantscontinously monitoring readouts etc. I got the feeling these people really knew their stuff! I went home, armed with sleeping pills and a plastic cap over my eyes (to avoid me rubbing my eyes). Wore my sunglasses too as I left the clinic but my eyes were not terribly light sensitive. Didn't need sleeping pills or painkillers at all. My eyes didn't even feel gritty (although with the nerve ends have been blitzed by the laser, that didn't mean my eyes weren't dry - do make sure you p[ut the drops in very frequently). My sight? Pretty good even on Saturday. On Sunday, I had better than 20-20 vision and its settling down nicely so very very happy. As for night vision, no halos, double vision, glare etc. However, there is probably a bit more fuzziness around streetlamps than before but hoping this will revert to original levels as the eyes settle down.

I first considered LASIK several years ago, but was always told I couldn't have it due to my high presecription in my left eye (-6.5D short sight with -5.25 astigmatism). I discovered during July that Moorfields would be able to do it. Then a friend had the proceedure at the Milton Keynes branch of the Eye Clinic. Right from the start I was impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail.The long and short of it was I had my op last friday (28th Sept). Having weighed up the pros and cons of the op (and dismissed most of the adverse comments about it from some US web sites) I went ahead. The op itself was straighforward though a tad scary ! It was all over in a matter of minutes. Things started off as though I was looking through a dilute milk solution, which quickly cleared.The next morning I could see my clock from the bed (never experienced that before) and all the bricks on the houses 100yds away ! On the post-op visit to the clinic I could already see far better than the legal driving standard. I had a minor complication on the day of the op, which resulted in them putting a contact lens (bandage) in for 3 days. That came out today, and I now have near 20/20 vision, albeit things are still blurry from time to time, and reading is still quite difficult for more than a few minutes at a time. Two morals : Don't expect things to be perfect straightaway, and use the refresh drops AT LEAST as often as they say !