Optical Express

I had my consultation at 20/20 vision in southamton and was told i'd be fine to go ahead. i'm short sighted. the optician said my pupils were large so i might experience some night vision problems and they are also dry so i had to take eye drops a week before surgery. i wasn't too impressed with the sales consultent though but decided to go ahead.
had the surgery on (11/03/02)in london. mr pillai was the surgeon. everyone was nice and chatty. nerves were quite bad so i decided to take the valium they offer (didn't make a blind bit of differnce to me!). the worst bit i think was when they cut the flap and then actually holding my eye open to look at the red light. didn't feel any kind of laser in my eyes at all. the treatment was quick and i spent more time waiting to go in. when i came out my vision was very blurred and no pain at all. half an hour later my eyes did hurt quite a bit and i had trouble even opening them for 5 seconds. that's when your freind that goes with you helps out the most because i could not see a thing. a bit like going without sleep for a week and being in a very smoky room. it lasted about four hours when i could gradualy open them for longer periods. by the end of the day i felt ok. a bit hazy but ok.
first day after surgery (12/03/02) and so far the results are good. it feels as though there is something in my eye, a bit like a contact lens but otherwise every thing is ok. flap is in good position. vision is great for long distance. if anyone wants to ask me anything then feel free to e-mail me.

After attending a Maxivision seminar in Manchester and after the success of my friend's recent surgery I went to a consultation with Maxivision. I'd been considering laser treatment for some time and had previously attended an Optimax seminar. After careful consideration and looking into a number of companies I opted for maxivision as their customer services department was very informative and helpful and the seminar itself had been an excellent insight into laser surgery .
After paying £30 deposit, I received a full eye examination and went on to speak for some time with the counsellor who informed me that unfortunately I wouldn't be suitable for LASIK as my prescription was too high and my cornea's were too thin to gain a worthwhile correction.
I was slightly disappointed but was incredibly impressed with their honesty and professionalism throughout and will not hesitate to recommend them to any friends or collegues.
This is something that I have thourghly researched and would be interested to hear your thoughts on, please don't hesitate to email me.

Two weeks ago I had laser treatment on both of my eyes for myopia and I am absolutely delighted with the results. It feels like I have new eyes! At last I am free of glasses!

I was naturally a bit nervous about the procedure but the staff at Upper Wimpole Street in London were brilliant. More importantly, I was very confident with the refractive surgeon, Mr. Pillai. He introduced himself prior to treatment and after talking to him about my concerns he totally put me at ease - I knew I could entrust him to do a good job and he did!

The treatment itself, although a bit daunting at first, was so quick and painless. Within 10 minutes I was back in the waiting room and it was all over. For the first couple of days after surgery my eyes were gritty and a bit sore but the benefits by far out way any discomfort that was felt - I now have 20 20 vision.

I did not go into having LASIK lightheartedly. I took on board all the risks that were involved and the possibility of the surgery not being as successful as anticipated. Having a well qualified surgeon, like Mr. Pillai obviously reduces any risks involved.

I am so glad I took the decision to have LASIK treatment. It has totally transformed my life into a much brighter, clearer and happier place!

The whole procedure was painless, but provided wonderful results. All the staff involved from beginning to end were excellent, which made me feel very confident. The literature was very informal, explaining the procedures thoroughly. Not only pointing out the good points, but the problems that could be incurred. All the other companies I gained literature from, failed to provide such essential information. Maxivision comes highly recommended by myself, and I have spoken to friends and colleages about the procedure, and they are very interested in having it done for themselves. Having had the treatment myself, I find it very difficult to find fault with anything from Maxivision, and their great staff. Keep up the good work, and thank you for making my dream come true.

I was very surprised with your clinic. Nice friendly staff, and very impressed with Mr Pilia. Ample coffee, very clean appearance, well done. I have already talked to various friends, and had to give information away, even as far as Anglesey, and Worcestershire! If I could be of any help answering any questions regarding Maxivision, I would be happy to help.

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.

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.

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.

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.