Optical Express

Surgery 05/07/2007 Location: Bristol Clinic Here I am back for my first post check up less than 24 hours after my surgery. Well I am truely staggered at how quickly I was able to SEE. I was expecting some post-operative discomfort but I had none. The only post op symptoms were a little blurriness especially close up vision, but this is improving all the time. The OE team were all great and very helpful all the way through, especially the surgeon Andre. The procedure itself was a breeze with hardly any discomfort at all. 24 hours in no regrets. The funny thing is that Ive just been to one of my kids sports days and no one noticed I was not wearing specs after 35 years the only comment was that one of my eyes looked a little red. My advice is go for it and have the top package as it is well worth the extra!!! P.S Maybe I really didn't need to be in the clinic over 3 and a half hours but like i said, it was well worth it!!!!

The staff at the clinic were superb! Felt totally at ease. Very friendly yet very professional. I can't thank or praise them enough. Special thanks to Susanna Boytha who preformed the surgery.

I had LASIK surgery on 23rd June at Bluewater. My prescription was -2.00 and -2.25 with slight astigmatism. I opted for both wavefront and intralase as I was very nervous about the creation of the flap. My appointment was at 3pm, but there was a considerable wait and I understand now why they tell you to allow 2 - 3 hours! I actually went in for the procedure at 4.45pm. However this would be my only criticism. The staff were helpful and reassuring, as was the surgeon. I was absolutely terrified, however I had made it a lot worse than it actually was. The whole thing took about 15-20 minutes and as soon as I sat up, I could tell my vision had improved. I did not find the intralase painful or uncomfortable. Although I did find it difficult to focus on the red flashing light for the actual laser treatment. However it was all soon over and I went to the recovery room. After about 30 mins the surgeon checked my eyes and gave me the ok to go home. My friend was driving me and we had at least an hour drive ahead of us. As the effect of the anaesthetic drops wore off my eyes becames quite uncomfortable, so the only advice I would give anyone would be to take some pain killers with you and take them afterwards before the anaesthetic wears off. I went home and off to bed with the attractive goggles on and applied drops as per instructions. In the morning I woke to perfect eyesight and was cleared to drive that morning at my follow up appointment. It's now a week since and it is fantastic. No lenses or glasses to fiddle about with and perfect vision. I would recommend this treatment to anyone able to have it.

I had surgery done on 15th June 2007, and I haven't looked back since. I had my consultation done in the Motherwell Optical Express shop, and all the staff were helpful, and answered all my questions. Julie and Claire in particular spent a lot of time with me which was really appreciated as I am a bit of a wimp!! On the day of surgery I was really nervous, but I had a nurse hold my hand and it was over before I knew it. I waited for about half an hour before getting taken for surgery, but it is a busy place, and can only be expected. On the way home I felt the drops wear off and my eyes began to water. It is advised to make sure somebody is picking you up. I dont think I would've managed home myself. At my 1 day post op I was told that I was 20/20 or 6/6!! It is absolutely fantastic being able to see detail that I have never seen before! No more speccy jokes for me!!! Thank you Optical Express for my new eyes! Recommended to everybody!! I couldn't fault optical express for anything. My only regret is that I didnt do it years ago!!!

I have wavefront Itralase with optical express just over a month ago. My prescription was quite high (not sure of the numbers - just know that i couldnt see my two feet in front of me without glasses!) but now i have perfect vision. One eye is reading the very smallest line that they have on the chart!! I am astounded by how good it has been! I had to use the blink drops a bit more initially, but all effects of dry eye have disappeared. (This is where the itralase is better than the cutting device! And also the fear factor!) My surgeon was susanna boytha and she is 'wonderful!!' I attended Renfield street eye clinic for initial consultation, and since found out that the motherwell optical express have facilities there - so I have attended all my post ops there! The staff in both places have been pleasant, and friendly. The motherwell store even handed some extra drops into the house as I couldnt get there during working hours! Exceeding my expectations!! To anybody considering surgery - just do it!!! Do not hesitate. Although it might be more exensive, the wavefront itralase procedure is worth it, and i will never look back. And dont worry about surgery! Absolute dawdle!! ANy questions or queries feel free to email me!! I will be happy to help!!

I had lasik with wavefront and intralase yesterday morning (Friday 27/7) at the clinic in Cambridge with Dr Tom Materman. My prescription was -4.5 and -5, and today is better than 20/20! I can see almost perfectly now 24 hours later although vision is very slightly blurry and have only very mild discomfort in one eye! Very happy with the results. I am also very happy with the clinic - staff were very supportive and friendly. I decided to have wavefront but not intralase after my 1st assessment. Then after talking to the surgeon he said my eyes were quite small so would have difficulty placing the suction cups on my eyes for the microkeratome blade and recommended having the intralase. In fact he seemed quite anti microkeratome, and I wasnt sure he was confident using it on me. Although when I quizzed him further he said he'd only ever had 2 minor problems using the blade in all of his patients. The surgery itself I would not call pain free! I'm quite sensitive and was very nervous so maybe felt it more, but the pressure applied to my eye for the intralase bordered on quite painful. It was only 20secs per eye (the nurse counted down), although now I have large and obvious blood red bruises on the whites of my eyes, which will take 3 weeks to go. The lasik was indeed completely pain free, and just felt like cool air on my eyes, quite nice after the intralse. The eye clips used for this I could barely feel. I did find it quite hard to look at the lights and focus straight ahead as everything was swimming and double! The surgery team I had full confidence in but don't expect a great reassuring bedside manner. Then it was over - all very quick. I could see straight away afterwards, but very blurry and I didnt want to open my eyes at all. For about two hours or so my eyes were really stinging (like when chopping a very stong onion, or like the time I put my contact lenses in after chopping chillies...). By the evening I was watching TV fine, but still quite light sensitive. I would thoroughly recommend it, it was really only half a day of discomfort and I was far more nervous than I needed have been!

I am really pleased with the results of my surgery. The treament was fast and the results are fantastic. I am so glad i've had it done and would recommend it. A big thanks to the surgeon and all the staff at optical express.

i can't praise the team at optical express in nottingham enough. nothing was too much trouble for them. i was quite nervous about having surgery on my eyes, but everyone put my mind at rest. my surgeon andre was absolutely brilliant, and not like any other consultant i've ever seen, he came across as human and a really nice guy. the results were amazing and within only a few hrs my vision was better. the following morning at my checkup my vision was better than it had ever been with my specs or contact lenses. whenever i spoke to anyone in the nottm store regarding any queries i had, before & after surgery, they were more than willing to help, or find out for me. definitly go to optical express, they'll even let you have a look round if you want. i would recommend 100%

Surgeon: Mr Andre Oberholster Date of Surgery: 30th June 2007 Clinic: Nottingham Surgery Type: Wavefront Intralase Lasik Absolutely amazing!! After 28 years of wearing glasses and -7.00 vision I now have better then 20/20 vision, would recommend to anyone. Very happy with all the staff and medical staff and had very little discomfort. Thanks to all.

Surgeon: Mr Tom Materman Date of Surgery: 20th July 2007 Clinic: Milton Keynes Tra la la la la - I can see, I can see - glasses are in the bin!!! Having had previous problems with dry-eyes, astigmatism, one lazy eye and being Ms Magoo (not much wrong there then!), I had wavefront intralase. I honestly can't say I was worried about the surgery, the procedure had been explained to me fully - so I knew what to expect. I did however worry about the surgery results. I should'nt have - The results are amazing, no matter how many times you hear or read it, to wake up and be able to see without bin-lids......I'm still bouncing!! The staff at Leics (where I had my initial consultation) and MK were fantastic. The surgery was painless, although a bit weird. Only snag was the waiting around, but I was told this before (plenty of mags / TV to keep me occupied). Like others, I could clearly see immediately after surgery (although through a milky haze!). Pain afterwards? not really, although very uncomfortable for a few hours (stick yourself in a vat of chopped onions - streaming eyes, blocked nose, uncomfortable to open eyes etc.). The next morning - WOW -I can see better now than I could before with my glasses, and it's still improving. 20/20 vision in one eye, my lazy eye is just a smidge behind (that's just at my 24hr appointment). Now I can take 2 bottles into the shower because I can read the difference between what is shampoo and what is conditioner!!! Seriously, don't let your fear of the surgery put you off, it really isn't that bad. Any questions you have, any doubts, anything you don't understand - ask the staff members. They are your eyes, it's your money & your decision - but if anybody asks me - based on my experience, my advise would be to go for it!!! Lisa : )