Optical Express

Consultation & surgery at Aberdeen Branch. I Didn’t really think much about the procedure until I arrived on the day. Any nerves that I had were put to ease by the staff. The entire procedure was a breeze and I was ready to leave in just over 1 hour. You are taken into a small room and drops are placed in your eyes and the post op drop regime is explained very clearly to you. During this time, the person in front of you is getting ‘zapped’ and you can hear it. The whole operation is like a production line, however at no point do you feel like just another person in the chain – the staff are keen and willing to spend extra time with each person to talk further on any issues or answer any questions you may have, you never feel like you are being rushed. After the anaesthetic drops are placed in your eyes and they take effect, you are taken through to the procedure room and asked to lie on a chair similar to that in dentists. On each side of this chair are the devices that perform the procedure. First up, you are positioned under the machine that cuts the flaps in your eyes. I felt no pain during this part of the procedure, only some discomfort with the application of the cup that holds your eyelids open and applies pressure to the eye prior to the cutting of the flaps. After these are cut, you are swivelled over to the next laser to do the rest. A loud clicking noise can be heard along with a slight smell of singed hair as it does its stuff. For me it felt like seconds for each eye and it was all over. The surgeon repositioned the flaps and I sat up. My vision was cloudy & blurry but I was told this was normal. I was taken through to the recovery room and my vision got progressively worse until I got to a point where I could only see light and dark with no discernable resolution whatsoever. This worried me a bit, and I mentioned this to someone who came in to see how I was doing. Again, the member of staff (not sure who she was) reassured me that this was Ok, and not to worry. I was then seen by the surgeon, who checked everything out and said I was ready to go. After being collected by my wife who was somewhat hacked off because she thought she would have had 3 hours shopping available instead of the 1 it took for me to be finished, I had to be driven home. This took just under a couple of hours, during which my blurred vision improved. After a couple of hours sleep, I could see the clock in my room, but it was still blurred – panic stations, I was worried that things didn’t work etc. etc. etc.....However as the evening went on my eyesight began to improve significantly. I went back today for my next day check up and everything is fine. My eyesight is well above that required to be able to drive, and well above the best that my glasses ever gave me. My right eye is pin point perfect; my left is not quite as good (although better than pre surgery) but is getting better each hour. I am experiencing slight hazing / glare around lights, especially when driving but I had this before and I understand that things will improve in the months to come. Would I do it again and spend what could effectively pay for a couple of weeks in the sun having a right good party?? – Of course I would. And I would recommend the same to anyone. All of the staff have been brilliant from the first consultation, right through to the after care support. The procedure is painless, although uncomfortable for the first day. Let’s not forget that your eyes are cut open and lasers are fired into them to reshape them before being sealed up again. Considering what has been done, it’s remarkable and I only wish that I could have afforded it earlier in my life. Different people heal at different speeds and have different pain thresholds, so for some it might be painful and /or might take longer to achieve good results, however I can only express how easy it was for me and how happy i am with the results, and I tend to be a big girls blouse when it comes to pain and real grouchy and critical at every opportunity. Well worth it.

mega pleased with the results!

I have worn glasses since the age of 12 and cannot believe that I did not do this sooner!! I am now 34. I had my consultation last week, my surgery yesterday, and my post op checkup today. I cannot believe how easy it was. I was so nervous leading up to the surgery but there was no need to be. Joanne, Susan and Dr J Carr at the Shaftesbury Avenue branch did wanders. I can not being to thank them enough. After my initial consultation I decided to go with OE because of their thoroughness and friendliness. I had been to 2 other providers and even though one of them came very close OE made me feel a lot more comfortable. On the day of my surgery I was absolutely shaking, even though I had read so many reviews about how simple the procedure was. There was no need to worry, Dr J Carr was absolutely brilliant, he re-checked my eyes and talked me through the procedure again. During the procedure he calmed my nerves down by talking me through every single step, before I knew it it was over!! I took a taxi home with a friend keeping my eyes closed for the whole journey. Once home I went to bed and just kept them closed. My pain threshold is very low so was frightened about how much pain I was going to be in but to be honest, it was just uncomfortable, it felt like onions stinging our eyes. When I opened my eyes a little later my bedroom clock said 6:49 – that’s 6:49 I haven’t been able to see my digital clock without glasses, in my bedroom since I don’t know when. This morning I felt like I was viewing the world through fresh eyes. At my checkup Susan confirmed that my sight was already at 20/20 and it could still improve! All I can say is if you are thinking about getting this done, don’t just think about it – do it ?

I am disappointed that you haven't seen fit to put my previous review on your site which seems to imply you only put those giving high ratings on. I do not feel I can give full ratings at this stage but will reveiw as the days progress. I would feel comforted to know that my experience is not unusual and that I am not the only one experiencing this slow progress, but more importantly to know it turns out right in the end. My experience 3 weeks ago with the surgery as previously advised was great, the staff at the clinic were kind, helpful and reassuring as was the surgeon. The process albeit a little scary was quick and painless. My eyes were stinging severly by the time I got home but were much better after a couple of hours rest/sleep, however my sight still remains very blurry. Whilst I can see my distance vision is not at all clear and does not feel like it is improving. My optician assures me that it is improving but slowly. The haze effect is not helping but I understand it can take some months to go and this will help my vision when it does. At the moment I feel I want to reach for my glasses as I no longer have sharp distance vision nor can I read without glasses (the latter I was expecting). I will write again when/if things improve as I believe it is reassuring for other people going through my experience to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. It makes you feel there is something wrong when you continue to read reviews that indicate great vision almost immediately. There is nothing wrong with slow progress as long as it works at the end of the day.

Within less than 24hr I could see better than I could ever see with my Spectacles or Contact lenses. I should have had it done sooner!! The Refractive Counsellor at St Albans (Hament) was very polite, helpful, friendly and thourough. He explained everything and gave the telephone number if I had any questions when we got home. The Laser Optometrist (Sharanjeet) was also very thourough in her tests and explained every little thing. She also reasurred me of the things I was nervous of. She even called me the next day to see how I was getting on. The surgery team were excellent. They explained everything all the way. The surgeon was Rodney Blumenfeld and I would recommend him to everyone. Friendly, welcoming and explained every little detail. The procedure only took about 15 minutes!! The St Albans practise was a great place with a very friendly and welcoming team. The Refractive counsellor was very welcoming and has always been great. If you are thinking of having Laser Eye Surgery, Optical Express St Albans is definately the place to go!!

I had my surgery on Saturday 21 March 2009 at the Edinburgh clinic. My surgeon was Dr Sanjay Mantry. The surgery was very quick, totally painless and not at all scary. I had done the research before had, read lots of reviews and check every site and feedback forum I could find. After the surgery my eyes were slightly stinging (less than getting shampoo in my eye) with one eye hurting more than the other, but I was not streaming or too uncomfortable. I tried to rest, but did not sleep and in a few eyes I felt fine. From the moment I sat up after the surgery I could see better than before. I had more than -7 in both eyes before surgery, so the difference was obvious. At first it was a little cloudy and not perfect, but it continually improved and by my Sunday Check up was better than 20/20. It does fluctuate a little when I am tried, but is otherwise brilliant. This was well worth the money and I would recommend that as long as you have researched the risks and benefit for you as an individual it is well worth doing.

I had both my eyes done on the same day at the Optical Express clinic on Minshull Street in Manchester (Barlow House). My first visit, with Andrew, was to review the procedures available and to have him answer any questions. No pressure, just excellent advice and help. This was followed by an eye test with Elaine to check my suitability. Glad to say I booked my laser surgery the same day. My surgery was brilliant, the surgeon, a Mr Aziz, was exactly what i was hoping for, professional, meticulous, comforting and friendly. He has performed over 30,000 procedures which made me feel completely at ease. The actual surgery took less than 20 minutes for both eyes and went perfectly. No pain at all, no discomfort and no terrible smells. The days after i experienced watery eyes (with the occasional stinging) but nothing to keep me awake at night - and i didnt take any sleeping tablets. I did expereince some dryness and inflmation in my right eye in the weeks to follow which caused slight blurry vision, but with frequent visits (which are part of the treatment plan anyway), additional drops (all provided free by optical express) and following the advice from Elaine im glad to report just a month later my eyes are 90% healed (slight redness in my right eye but dissapearing by the day). Even better news is that my vision is crystal clear, my eyes are no longer dry or sensitive and im able to lie on the couch and watch tele without a creek in my neck because of wearing glasses. If you are like me you are probably remembering all the negatives you have read about laser eye surgery, dont! While i think its good to research so you know what to expect, dont let it stop you from having it done. Optical Express, Elaine, Andrew and Mr Aziz are fantastic. Its improved my quality of life exponentially! I have such confidence in my eyes and myself now that i wish i had it done earlier. Good luck!

I had my laser eye surgery at Optical Express in The Trafford Center, I was really nervous about the whole thing but I really don't know why I was now! as the surgery is completely painless, after the surgery my eyes were stringing but once I had been to sleep for a few hours that soon disappeared. If any one is thinking about going for it but keeps reading bad reviews on the internet, forget about them and just go for it. I'm extremely pleased with the service and the results!

Had surgery 13.1.9, very apprehensive but was reassured by team. I have had glasses since age 4 years but would not wear them from about 13 years, lost a lot of quality life during teens and early twenties because I could not see. Finally got contact lenses aged 23 started with hard then gas permeable and finally soft. So, I have been through the mill with my eye balls. Now aged 57 plucked up courage to have laser and WOW cystal clear vision. My prescription in both eyes was over minus 8, I have had monovision laser which means one eye is for distance and the other is slightly under strength so I can read, so no need for reading glasses. Now, I know you might be considering laser treatment but probably like me are REALLY SCARED OOOOO!!! Don't be, you'll kick yourself after you have had it done. It only takes seconds and does not hurt one bit, the team are fantastic and I could not shake my surgeons hands enough after, he has given me a new lease of life. I recommend paying extra to have the laser cut, for me it was less stressful than worrying about a scalpel. ANYWAY, GO FOR IT WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE????

I have just completed my consultation in preparation of my Laser eye treatment. I only walked into the shop in Braehead for information on laser eye surgery, however before I knew it I had been introduced to Kerry who explained everything to both myself and my husband. I was very happy with her explanation of laser treatment and about the after-care offered. I was then introduced to Lisa who gave me a full eye test and before I knew it I am now looking forward to my treatment. I feel very comfortable with all the info given and trust Optical Express staff and thank Kerry for her Professionalism.