Optical Express

Consultation @ Optical Express Watford on Fri 19th Jan 07 Presciption -2.25 in both eyes For anyone considering whose hands to put their eyes in...... I have been looking at all the info on this site in the search for the right company (very useful) Having previously booked a consultation at Optimax at Finchley Rd on reccommendation from a friend, I did some research into the clinic.... If you go on the Healthcare Commission website you can read all the latest reports about every clinic. Optimax at Finchley Road last report had some worrying standards not met, and standards almost met on some very important issues, and I wasn't impressed with having to give a £30 deposit, so I looked at Optical Express's website after seeing their advert a lot on the telly. Very impressive site, lots of info, and they were very helpful on the phone, the lady I spoke to said that I could have a free consultation at Watford, and that I should keep my appointment with Optimax, then make up my mind. I had booked to have my surgery on the same day with Optimax (which aparently is not such a good idea, because the drops they put in your eyes for all the tests make the pupils big, and you should leave 48hrs before surgery to elliminate complications) So after looking at the Optical Express Harley Street Clinics report on the Healthcare Commission with STANDARD MET FOR EVERY POINT!! I cancelled my appointment with Optimax! I just hope that I am suitable for the surgery that I want (Wavefront Lasik with Intralase) and can go ahead with the Harley Street Clinic.... Watch this space!

I went to the Oxford Optical Express for my free check and within eight days had my surgery. The following day my eyesight is better than 20/20! Best thing I have ever done! My optician was Christopher Gascoine and the surgeon Dr. Rodney Blumfeld and they, as well as the entire staff, were excellent! No hesitations at all in completely recommending them.

I've worn glasses since childhood, with a period with contact lenses, and I'm 63 now so have had a lot of short-sighted years. I went to Optical Express in York on 8th November 2006 and was very impressed with the tests and advice I was given and settled for the full treatment with wavefront. Not cheap at very nearly £2500 but you gets what you pays for. Went to Leeds for the surgery under Mr Khan on 29th November 2006. Absolutely no pain or discomfort, I was more fascinated by the proceedure and how quick it was. Got outside and couldn't open my eyes due to the brightness, luckily my better half was there to lead me back to the bus home. make sure it's somebody you trust to lead you over busy roads cos' you can't see. had a short sleep when I got home and felt great with no pain what-so-ever. Next day took myself back to Leeds for the check with no problem at all. From this point it just got better, went to York on 28th December 2006 for my 28 day check and all is fine, no pain, no dry eyes, no spectacles, no contact lenses and better than 20/20 vision for the first time in my life. I do recommend Optical Express in York and Leeds, they are professional, they don't apply pressure and the forms your have to read and sign explain all the risks fully. I only wish I could have had it done back in 1960 when I joined the Army. Don't hesitate, don't doubt, I recommend that you do it, the results are unbelieveable, the colours are so bright and 'I can see for miles'. Brian Coe Ripon

I had my Lasik Wavefront surgery just over 6 weeks ago, and my results thus far have been superb. The consultation with Declan convinced me that the surgery was the right thing to do, and he told me all about his own experiences of his surgery. I wanted the best treatment i could get, and was informed that Customvue was the best. As most people were, i was very nervous waiting to get it done, but after meeting the surgeon, Mr Klopper, he put me at ease. The surgery was mild in terms of discomfort, a few hours afterwards it felt like i never wore glasses before! Any questions i had pre surgery were competently answered by everyone i spoke to in the Clinic. I would thoroughly recommend Optical Express Belfast to anyone thinking of the surgery. I'd like to give everyone who helped me a personal mention- Declan & Eimear(Counsellors), Iris(manager), Lisa, Abraham, Gail(SUrgery Team), Mr Klopper(Surgeon), Selena, Keith. Sorry if i left anyone out!

To put things in context, I am a complete coward when it comes to physical pain - I faint with blood tests and injections. So when I say that Wavefront Lasik with Intralase does not hurt, I mean it. I wouldn't have been brave enough to have the traditional flap cutting method (blade)so having the flaps cut with the Intralase laser was my only option - and well worth the £300 per eye. I also wanted the "Stella Artois" reassuringly expensive option, so although the Optical Express advert says from £395 per eye I opted for the latest technology and had Wavefront. The team at Optical Express were fantastic - Mr Giledi was my surgeon and he explained every step of the surgery and was very kind and patient to a nervous wreck. There is a point - when the ocular speculum is inserted - where it feels as though your eyeball is being pushed to the back of your skull, but the feeling lasts for seconds and really is just uncomfortable, not painful. The whole thing was over and done with very quickly and when I sat up, even with blurred vision, I could still see better than I had been able to without spectacles. My eyes did sting afterwards (as expected), and this feels exactly the same as when you've chopped onions. At the same time my eyes were light sensitive. These feelings lasted for about 45 minutes and I had no further discomfort. When I got home I put in the first lot of eye drops and went to sleep for a couple of hours. I then put in the next lot and slept for a further hour and when I woke up it was amazing - I could see the clock across the room, and the leaves on the trees across the road, and the licence plates on cars in the street below. Today, fewer than 24 hours after the surgery, I have one line better than 20/20 vision. It is incredible. I won't say that I wish I had done it years ago because I am delighted that I had the option of wavefront lasik and Intralase which has only recently become available, but I will say to anyone who is wondering whether or not to have it done that it is truly life changing. Do research the risks (I had looked into every known complication), but remember that at Optical Express the surgeons are leaders in their fields, so you are not putting your eyes into the hands people who have done a quick training course. This is a seriously good outfit!

Surgery @ Harley Street Clinic on 25/1/07 Prescription -2.25 in both eyes Surgeon - Michael Jeffrey Update from my last post..... I had my sugery 3 days ago (wavefront Lasik), I now have 20/20 vision and no problems!! It all went really well, I found out at the consultation that I was a very good candidate and booked my appointment. The clinic was very nice as were the staff and I was in and out within 2 hours. The treatment only lasted about 5 minutes and it wasn't painful, just felt like my eyeballs were being scooped out then pushed into the back of my head!! but as nasty as that sounds it was a 10 second feeling and when he was finished I wondered why I had worked myself up so much! (had a little cry after!!, Mum said it was just shock and nerves!!) then we went home and I slept for 3 hours and woke up feeling fine with good vision if a bit blurred :-) I would recommend that if you are thinking of having this done, go to the FREE consultation and see what they say after all the tests, then make your mind up. Money well spent!!!! (feels like it should of cost £10,000 to be able to wake up in the morning and SEE!!!!!!!!!!

I had Wavefront-Lasik eye surgery and have been very pleased with the results. Great distance vision and night vision too. No starburst around headlamps anymore. Mr Wayne Crew-Brown was my surgeon and the team at Bluewater have all been great. Friendly, helpful and everything explained in simple English. The aftercare treatment has also been very good. I have, and will continue to reccomend the treatment to friends and family and anyone else who I get into conversation with about the subject. I cant thank the team at Optical Express, Bluewater enough. They have given me freedom from face furniture and contact lenses alike.

I had my treatment on 29th December 2006 and have not looked back. I have just had my one month check and have been told my vision is beyond 20/20 - brilliant. I can now look forward to doing the things I have been unable to do with my family, especially whilst on holiday. Thank you.

Now over 4 moths since I had Wavefront Lasik, and checkups have all been very positive. Totally forget about the fact that I used to wear glasses now as it seems like a distant memory! There is a very slight residual prescription left, but it is very slight and I have better than 20:20 vision, so it's all good!!!!!

Though't I'd give it time before I posted and it may help others who are a bit dispondant and please email me direct if you are in the same position I was. Attended Newcastle last July (note that I was longsighted so not the normal shortsight problem) Was told that my prescription was quite small but they could do it - had the lasik wavefront and the day after - fantastic. THEN my eyes started to get worse at the mid and near end - distance was excellent. After numerous appointments I went last month and I was offered a retreatment. The surgeon was only wanting to treat my right eye which I accepted. On the day of the Op I asked the surgeon to treat my right eye by overcorrection - the risk was mine!!! That done and the day after was great - after 5 days the right eye has dropped back a little but can still read and use my laptop without too much problem and my distance through my left eye is as good as ever - middle distance is good. My thought are - I expect the right eye to drop back a little and it take a little time from my brain to adjust - I have a "pulling" feeling in my right treated eye, like having new glasses. I return to work tomorrow so we will see but all in all I think the correction was worthwhile. My thoughts on the staff at Newcastle - always feel welcome and how does the lady on reception always know my name - I can't be that bad a patient am I? General advise is - do some reasearch and go for the best clinic you feel at home with - forget about the price you pay, in 10 years you won't remember what it cost !!!