Optical Express

Maxivision charge £30 for a consultation, refundable if you have surgery with them

I had bilateral PRK at Milton Keynes eight weeks ago now. My prescription was such, that I was advised that the outcome would be no different whether I had LASIK or PRK. I opted for the cheaper option, PRK, and the end result has been excellent. My eyesight is currently better than 20/20 and expected to be about 6/4 when I go for my 3 month check up. The only thing I will say is that PRK did not agree with me. Within an hour of the treatment I was in agony. It stayed like that for a couple of days and the pain killers given to me did not help very much. If you can afford it choose LASIK. That said, the aftercare treatment was very good and I am chuffed to bits with the final result.

I'm booked in to have PRK on one eye only as I have quite a low prescription- bit anxious about it as can't believe it will work (was walking round with one contact lense in at the weekend and that made my brain ache). Has anyone else had this done on one eye only - how long did it take to get used to it??

I had surgery on Monday 25th March 2002.I had PRK on both eyes and can honestly say I never experienced the pain that most people associate with PRK. The Eye Clinic were professional and I would recommend them. I initially wanted LASIK,however, due to corneal scarring (from misuse of contact lenses!......yes, I used to sleep in them!)the surgeon recommended PRK,my reaction....ouch!!!!
I did my research and really expected the pain to kick in after surgery.......it never did! Heavy eyelids and the desire to keep my eyes closed post op. were my symptons. My surgeon was the excellent Chief surgeon, Clive Mortimer,Clive answered all my questions and talked me through the whole process, I cannot praise this man enough!!!!!! The procedure was 20seconds to remove the epithelium another 20 seconds to re-shape the cornea, each eye 40 seconds,voila!! After surgery, I could see a difference straight away, which I had not anticipated with PRK. Day 2, my eyes were light sensitive, but never painful,probably at the most, the feeling you get when peeling onions!
Day 3, another check up at the eye clinic (with PRK you have surgery,a check-up on day 2 and day 3 my "patch contact lens" was removed by Clive. Whereby he told me I was healing nicely. Day 4, I was driving, yes I should have waited a week, but what for? I could see perfectly!!!!!! Day 5 night time driving......slight "starbursts/halos" around car lights,but nothing to impair my vision. I am so happy and still feel like I am wearing contact lenses.....I cannot believe no glasses, after wearing them for over 20 years. Lastly all the staff I encountered at Shaftesbury Ave were excellent and very patient!!!!! And they offer interest free payments...why go anywhere else?!!!

Just another quick update, went for my 1 week check up yesterday, and have been told that i have 20/20 vision. I was absolutely thrilled. He showed me what i could see before without glasses, and i couldn't believe how big the letter were!! So glad i had this treatment done, worth every penny.

My Details:
I received my treatment on the 18.2.2002, it is now 20.2.2002. This was to correct shortsight in both eyes; -5.5 (left) -5.75 (right).

My Surgeon:
My surgeon, Mr CT Pillal was very professional and reasuring during the whole procedure. I was very pleased with the way in which the operation was performed.

The Procedure:
Initially you have second thoughts - it's like bungy jumping.
If you have sensitive eyes, like myself, the procedure is uncomfortable. Thankfully, you are supported throughout and it is very short.

The Results:
The day following the procedure, 19.2.2002, the consultant reported 20/20 in the left eye. My right eye is around 95-98%. It is now two days after the procedure and my eyes are still hazy and show np further improvement in sight strenght.
My seven day checkup is on the 25th, I am hoping that the eyesight in my right eye will improve further and that the haze will clear further.

Overall a good result so far, but I still have to make sure I don't touch my eyes and apply my antibiotics regularly to avoid infection.

Just to let you know i had my laser treatment done at The Reading Clinic by Clive Mortimer, last wednesday 13th March 2002. Firstly i have to say that the staff were absolutely fantastic and really make you feel and ease. There were a few people in the waiting room with very sore eyes and i was a little worried, but i was assured that these patients had had PRK and that was a more painful procedure.
Anyhow when i arrived i had some tests carried out, and then went downstairs for the treatment. I was seen by Clive Mortimer who then explained to me that the most common problems were to do with the cutting of the flap and that because i had astigmatism, this problem is more common, i think he said the statistics were 1/500. Anyhow he said that the flap could come off completely or could tear and he wanted me to know the risks. I decided that i still wanted to go ahead with the procedure although it did worry me a little.
I was taken into the laser room, which was taken up mostly by this huge machine and about 8 people in there, to oversee the treatment. I was sat on something like a dentists chair and then lowered back. Clive explained everything in detail to me as it was happening (he was lovely). One eye was covered and then the chair moved under the laser, i had to look up and make sure i could see the red flashing light. My eye was then taped open and the anesthetic drop put in. The chair was then moved out from underneath the laser machine and a clamp of some sort was put in my eye socket, this was not painful at all, then a bright light was shone in my eye and he explained that this would become faint and i would not see anything. Then i heard them saying suction on, and it was a very unusual feeling. It didn't hurt but just a little uncomfortable, this i guess was something to keep my eye from moving about.
He then said that he was going to cut the flap, i heard the sound of what sounded like a small drill, and that was it, i didn't feel a thing.
I was then moved back under the laser machine and Clive said that he was just about to lift the flap, which you could see happening, i was then asked to look at the red light, which was very faint. they counted down from about 15 seconds and the laser was finished, then clive said he was going to replace the flap and i could see. The process was then repeated for the other eye. I must have only have been in the room for 10 - 15 minutes. Upon cutting the second flap Clive said i would just like to say that you are not one of my statistics and the flaps have cut fine. So that was very pleasing as you can imagine.

After the proceedure Clive looked at my eyes and said my sight was above average and that i was legal to drive, but obviously he didn't want me to do that. I was told to go back to the Hotel and given a couple of sleeping pills to have a good sleep and to come back the next day to check my eyes.

I would just like to say if anyone is thinking of having this LASIK procedure done then you could do no better than the Health Clinic. They were absolutely brilliant. As for my eyes, i can now see the tv without having to reach for glasses and my driving is very comfortable. Reading is not as clear as i would like, but maybe this will get better after a bit of time. Also my eyes are very dry, but this is to be expected.

I am going for my 1 week check at southampton tomorrow, so i am looking forward to finding out how much my eyesight has improved.

If anyone needs any more information or just wants to talk about laser treatment, please don't hesitate to send me an email.

I have just had LASIK within the last month and only found out about this site through friends. I have now achieved vision at a level just higher than 20/20 and am amazed at the results . I did suffer slight haze but it only lasted about 2-3 days before clearing. I was initially extremely nervous and even on the day still not really sure that this was the right thing to be doing.. but now I can't believe the difference it has made to me , I feel like a new person..I attended an Optimax seminar in Leeds and was almost put off for life following the aggressive nature and tone used by the female presenter (apparemtly the Birmingham Centre Manager)at least 12 people walked out half way through..and one poor woman in the audience was nothing short of verbally abused.. I was left feeling that I still did'nt get enough information, or that I had enough assurance on the company's running and success rates to go ahead and book. As a result I booked to attend a maxivision Seminar also in Leeds. The presentation was about 45 mins long and included lots of information on why short sightedness occurs etc , they tested my prescription and also spoke to me individually for some time all with a view to providing me with as much information as I required to make a decision. This is what clinched it for me, they were extremely honest and advised at least 3 people ahead of me in the room that it was'nt worthwhile for them. The staff at the clinic were fantastic and the clinic itself was fantastic. I dont know what I was expecting but my experience has by far surpassed all expectations.

I am now over 3 months post op and doing great. My vision is now -0.25 in both eyes. I am so pleased I had this done. My eyes are still dry sometimes but this is no problem. I would recommend The Eye Clinic as even the post op care is good.

Well it may be a little too early to give Maxivision a top score but I am so impressed with my results so far. If things do go worng from here I will put up another comment. I had the surgery 4 days ago. The whole exercise was run like clockwork. The staff were all very nice. The actual surgery is nothing to worry about. You don't really see anything and you are talked to through the whole process. For a few hours after I couldn't really open my eyes. I took a train home; takes about two hours. By the end of the journey I couldn't believe it I could see really well. Since then my eyesight appears to be as good (if not better) than all the people I have tested myself against (couldn't resist doing this). I guess I am lucky, I haven't even really had any discomfort. In fact, my eyes are more comfortable than when I wear contact lenses. One could almost forget to keep putting all the eye drops and things. If this is the end result I am absolutely amazed and this is some of the best money I have ever spent.