Optical Express

Consultation: Inverness Surgery: Inverness 15/11/06 I had a fairly high perscription so was slightly nervous before the surgery. The team at Optical Express were fantastic and very reassuring. The surgery was quick, efficient and a little weird and not too painful. Day 2 and I can see unaided which is fantastic. All in all I recommend this to anyone!

I consulted this forum after my initial consultation and after my Intralase Wavefront surgery, which was carried out yesterday, I wanted to add some comments and observations which may be useful to anyone considering this procedure. In all I found the customer relations a little disappointing, for the most part I really felt like part of a conveyor belt. I am very squemish as far as eyes are concerned and was incredibly nervous beforehand. Though I arrived early for my appointment, I had to wait almost two hours before the surgery, and this left me a nervous wreck. Thankfully the surgeon was very helpful, and talked me gently through each step. The procedure in all took about 10 minutes. The first laser is used to create the flap; although this wasn't a pleasant experience, it was nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated. I was expecting big metal clamps to force my eyes open,but the clamps didnt hurt at all. The muscle relaxent drops stop you from blinking, but this didnt feel unnatural. Then slight pressure is exerted on the eye, which feels a little strange but not painful. My vision did go black for a few seconds but the surgeon had told me to expect this. After the flap was cut, I was moved to the second laser which performs the wavefront surgery. The flap is gently lifted and then the laser begins. After only a few seconds this is complete and the flap is then gently massaged back into place. My sight was a little blurry from all the drops, so when I went home I lay down for a few hours. When I got up I was able to see perfectly(the WOW factor). I felt no discomfort or pain either during or after surgery. My check today has confirmed my 20/20, and healing already underway. This technology is amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone. Of course everyone is different, but if I was able to do it (being of a nervous disposition) anyone can. Excellent value for money

All the way through the customer service I received was great right from the consultation to the after care as well. The surgery went well and all the staff were very friendly. I dealt with Giles(cross street, manchester) for the aftercare and consultation and he is great at what he does. I would recommend eye surgery to anyone considering it. It is painless and the only uncomfortable part is the clamp on your eye during the procedure, but it's well worth it for perfect vision. Thanks again to everyone at Optical Express.

I originally attended optimax glasgow and was told my corneas were too thin and i was only eligible for lasek (the sore one!)I was a bit ambivilent and was sent away to think about it. Iong story..... eventulally didnt go back to optimax but had my consultation in Glasgow optical express. There I was told I was suitable for lasik and that my corneas were "not even close to being too thin" This was encouraging as I had not expected it. I had my surgery in Glasgow 30/11/06 I had mild astigmatism in both eyes and a little shortsightedness. I opted for wavefront lasik having the flap cut using ultralase. On the day I was of course nervous,I arrived in plenty of time and was led to the laser suite waiting area.This is one of the disappionting features of the day as I sat for 45mins nervously watching people come and go having had their surgery before reception staff took any notice of me, you would think spending £3,000 would be entitled to feel a little bit special. I soon realised the place was busier than argyle st, and felt like... without being too harsh, a little bit like a cattle market. I was eventully taken for my wavefront scan this I found quite difficult due to the complexity of it ( there is a bright red light at the end of a tunnel and you have to look beyond it I was constantly drawn towards the light!)However a little perseverance I got there. I was taken into another room and a nurse gave me instructions on how and when to use the eye drops she also discussed what would happen during the procedure and reassured me. After another short delay I met the surgeon for the 1st time Dr Boytha who was very nice, looked at the wavefront scans confirmed everything was ok and consented me. Have any questions written down and ready at this point as you dont get much time here to think! I was then taken through to the room where the dreaded deed would take place. I was asked to lie on a bed between the 2 laser machines a patch was placed over my left eye and details confirmed.I seemed to be waiting for ages and was really scared at this point but staff were great and talked me through what was about to happen. This wait I presume was where Dr Boytha was yo-yoing between me and another patient. I was given drops to numb my eye a clamp of some sort was used to hold my lid open this I did not find painful at all. I was then aware of pressure being forced down on to my eye and thought Dr Boytha was trying to force it into my brain! this is combined with the feeling that your cornea is being sucked towards the ceiling. This part is uncomfortable but not painful. It all happens very quickly there is some noise from the machine while you are asked to look at a red light, a staff member counts down 20 seconds the suction is released and thats it the flap has been created. The whole thing it then repeated with the other eye so you then know what you are in for! I was then swung over to the other laser where the wavefront part is carried out, this was easy enough, different noise faint smell of burning and the feeling of the surgeon washing your eye and replacing the corneal flap. Thats it I was asked to stand up things looked a little hazy but I was told this was normal. I returned to the waiting room where my friend ( the driver! absolutley essential you have one of these!)was happy to inform me how red my eyes were. Afrer 20 mins or so I was called back into the room Dr Boytha checked my eyes and confirmed everything had gone fantastically well and that I was free to go. The journey home was worth mentioning Glasgow at this time of year pouring with rain and pitch black with the exception of the unbearable glare of the tail lights from the cars in front during the rush hour. I felt a little pain at this point and used my voltarol eye drops also took a coulple of paracetamol, though I would recommend you take them just before the procedure so they have kicked in at this point! I could hardly open my eyes my lids felt so heavy yet closing them made me focus on the slight burning feeling behind the cornea. When I eventually got home I went straight to bed put on my protective glasses which by the way makes you look like a large flying insect! and slept for 2 hrs. When I got up I felt my vision was good and over all I felt much better. I used my drops as prescribed and had a good nights sleep. The following morning I attended my local optical experss in motherwell where I had my eyes examined and was given the news that my vision is better than 20/20 in both eyes. I have not experienced too much in the way of dry eye as yet, certainly not as uncomfortable as contact lenses that have been in too long. The sclera (white part of my eyes) still have some red patches particularly under the left upper lid but I have been told this will settle after a week or so. Like many other people before me I took a long time to take the plunge and opt for lasik. However I feel the wait was worth it due to the introduction of intralase which wouldnt have been available to me 2yrs ago.I am delighted with the results and would have to recommend it although it is expensive I don't understand why the price varies so much but you can be sure it wont be £395 per eye thats just to get you over the door. The surgical team and equipment used in Glasgow are more or less faultless. What lets optical express down a little is the customer service side of things. If this improved which wouldn't take much by the way! there would be a gold star all round. In summary if you can afford it do it I am delighted with the results.

Had my treatment in Birmingham Optical Express four weeks ago with the standard procedure, and my vision is perfect two lines better than driving standard (20/20). Treatment was very quick (Approximately 3 minutes per eye) And could notice the difference immediately. I experienced no pain whatsoever. And recovery has been fast and without any problems. Overall, i am more the satisfied with the results, it was 100% value for money and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who needs specticles.

I had Lasik at Newcastle on 7th Nov at a cost of £695 per eye (which is about what I was expecting). My appointment on the day was for 8.30 am, and by 10.00 am I was in the car being driven home. The staff were very good, obviously used to being asked silly questions and dealing with overly nervous patients. As for the procedure itself, having the flap cut was very unpleasant although not painful, but the laser was no problem (despite a smell like hair burning while the 2nd eye was done)and having the flap smoothed down was weirdly soothing. As the anaesthetic wore off I found I was hardly able to open my eyes, and when I did they watered like a hot waterfall. I went straight to bed when I got home, and I had to take some Ibuprofen for the pain. My eyes were aching and every few minutes I had sharp, shooting pains through both eyeballs. In fact for the first 2 hours I wondered if I had done the right thing. But the tablets kicked in and eventually I fell asleep. By that evening I was watching TV. Since then my eyes sometimes feel a little dry, and a bit achy, as if I have been using the computer for too long. Overall though I have had very little problem, and minimal variation in vision. I have just been for my 1 week check-up, and I have been told that I have gone from a prescription of -2.50 to having no prescription at all. I can read the bottom line with my right eye, and the line above with my left eye. This is not pleasant, and is not completely pain-free. You have to remember that it is a surgical procedure. I was wiped out for a couple of days afterwards. But as long as you are prepared for that, and have a few days off work, I would say that it is worth it. I have been wearing glasses since the age of 12 and now I am 25 and can see!!! As for Optical Express, they were the most convenient clinic for me to get to, and I found them to be great. There was no pressure to go ahead, and it was accepted straight away when I said I did not want wavefront. Every appointment I have been for I have either been seen within 5 mins of the appointment time, or have in fact got in early. I went fully prepared to feel as if I was on a 'conveyor belt', as previous comments have said, but I found the whole experience to be personal, and I cannot fault the staff at all.

I would recommend laser treatment to anyone, the process is excellent and virtually pain free. the staff at both end were friendly and professional. it feels so nice to not worry about glasses or contact lenses anymore!

I had my surgery on November 5th and I wish I had it done sooner! Good vision all round and dont have to worry about spex anymore. I nearly didn't have it done as I got put off by various negative comments with regards the prices being quoted, all I will say is read the adverts properly, they all say from £395 PER eye! I think that the pricing system is clear if people bother to read it correctly. Thanks to all the team at Leeds and Huddersfield.

Surgeon: Waseem Aziz Clinic / Consultation & Aftercare: Manchester Minshull St and Cross St (respectively) Surgery: Lasik wavefront (both eyes at same time) Previous prescription: -2.75 with astigmatism in left eye -2.0 right eye Cost £1990 with wavefront My age: 33 - needed corrected vision for past 8 years I had my eye surgery on Thursday 16/11. around 1pm.. I came home and slept/rested until 6pm and looked out of the window.. I could see down the street already! - albiet a bit hazy still and sensitive to light.. the next day - less than 24 hours later I was confirmed as having 20/20 vision! My distance vision is fine day and night - but near vision for reading still settling down. the left eye is taking longer to settle as the prescription was higher (16 seconds of laser on right eye - 27 seconds on left) I had to go for an extra check up as the day after I had an oily residue - been back today and all is fine except a slight dryness.. Back to work tomorrow with no blooming contact lenses Hurrah! What I will say is that the surgery is very uncomfortable and it is best to remain calm and as relaxed as possible.. Try not to think too much about what is happening.. I maintained a detached calmness throughout - almost pretending it was happening to someone else.. but saying that - It doesn't last for long at all.. it's the following hours of weeping eyes and not really being able to open them at all.. with huge light sensitivity... (stay in a dark room for as long as you need to) that is all discomfort and not pain as such. It's not pleasant and I would say that the speculum and the flap cutter are the worse bits - the laser itself is nothing to worry about - not even the slight smell! They told me what was going on throughout which helped me stay calm. And the consultants where thoughtful and turned the lights off as people left the surgery.. they will get you drinks and give you tissues.. just ask. I have virtually forgotten about the discomfort of the surgery already, seeing it as a positive thing. I even went out on Saturday night for a while - although I suspect the exocin anti-bacterial drops make me feel slightly quesy - so don't attempt a big drinking session so quickly Of course the googles you have to wear for bed for a week are very attractive.. glad I'm single! Can't fault it yet.. I recommend going for wavefront - don't mess with your eyes for the sake of another £500.. If the technology is there then go for it.. Heres hoping all continues as well as so far! Good luck!

Well where do I start. From the moment I walked into the Nottingham branch till after my procedure, (Lasik - Intralase) I was looked after by all the team in a tremendously polite, friendly and professional manner that you would find impossible to beat in any establishment. The consultation was first class and the treatment was both painless and amazing! My vision was improved beyond my wildest expectations and having played golf with my 'new eyes' today I wiah i'd had it done years ago. I can't believe the difference in my vision. It's also great not to have to mess around with contact lenses any more and this has been a truly 'life changing' experience. To everyone at the Nottingham Lister Gate branch thanks a milllion.