Optical Express

Well, it is now 12 days since my surgery. In the end I opted for LASEK because I rub my eyes a lot with hay fever and have large pupils. I was hoping that Mr Jain would make the decision for me, but he repeated what I already knew and said it was up to me. When I opted for LASEK he said he thought it was the right choice.
The procedure was exactly as they had described, so no surprises there. It was a little freaky and I have never been so still in my whole life! But not actually any worse than going to the dentist. Completely painless and the team were very kind and reassuring.
I was the first appointment of the day, arrived just before 8.30, went in at 9.30 and 20 minutes later was back in the wating room chatting with the next 2 people. Home by 10.30 which was amazing.
The rest of that day was fine, rested as much as I could but wasn't in any pain all day. The next day was much worse although I still wasn't actually in pain, just really uncomfortable. I found it incredibly difficult to open my eyes, they just felt so heavy and I was really tired. Spent most of the day asleep. Even making phone calls was really difficult, especially looking up numbers and then dialling! I couldn't believe how pathetic I was feeling.
The next day started the same, but much better by the afternoon. On the Wednesday I had my first check-up and they removed the contact lenses. My sight was already above driving standard, although I still found it hard to open my eyes for long! There was some concern as they thought I had an infection in one eye. Dasi, the optometrist (FAB!) tried to call Mr Jain, but he was unavailable, in a conference I think. She then asked if I could go to London immediately to see a different surgeon but I said I couldn't go then, maybe the next day. So I went home and we had sveral phone calls back and forwards to decide what to do. Dasi spoke to Mr Jain eventually, who prescribed some antibiotic ointment for use at night and increased the antibiotc drops to every hour! So it was back to MK just before they closed to pick up new cream, but still a lot better than an impromptu trip to London with not great vision!
I have to say that Dasi was fantastic and I cannot rate the MK team highly enough.
By the time I went back to the Clinic on Wed eve I felt like a different person. I could open my eyes, and sat in the waiting area without sunglasses (it's very bright in there) looking about and reading the paper!
By THursday pm I was helping my daughter's class with their sewing, but after about an hour I had a bit of a headache!
I had another trip to the Clinic on Friday. They decided that the “infection” is really a cluster of white blood cells, part of the body's immune system, and changed my antibiotic drops, and now only 4 x a day.
I was back there today for another check up. They all greet me by name now and are very friendly! I am very pleased that this is all included in the cost! My vision is still settling and is better in my right eye than left, but it feels better to me than it ever did with glasses or lenses.
Sometimes I have trouble when staring at things or trying to look at things for too long but have been told this will improve. My eyes are also still quite sensitive to light and have been in shades most of the time outside. I have to say I haven't yet been out at night, so not sure what my night vision will be like.
Overall I am thrilled with my new eyes, looking forward to my vision being completely settled and no more drops.
Cannot praise the MK team and the surgery team including Mr Jain of course, highly enough.

I had my lasik at shaftesbury avenue last friday, 14th may. The procedure was totally painless. Everything was explained to me from the moment i arrived. I was first given a couple of eye tests to map the eye and cornea. Then i went to meet the surgeon Mr Jain. He did a standard look at the eye chart and see what you can read type test to ensure my prescriptopn was accurate. Then offered me LASEK or LASIK i still insited on LASIK for a quicker recovery. So he gave me a valium pill (did not help much!) after signing the consent form. I then waited in a room with 2 others, 1 had been operated on and looked dreadful. I was slightly concerned until her mother said she was always a wimp. Then my time had come, off to the laser room. The nurse cleaned my eye with liquid and gauze. My head was positioned where they wanted and kept still by a head cushion, shaped appropriately. Then Mr Jain came in and talked through what was about to happen. I needed to look at the light above and would feel pressure as the flap cutting machine, for want of better words, was lowered onto my eye. This did not cause me any discomfort. Then he raised the flap out of the way and cleaned my eye, then it was case of staring at the red light and trying not to move my eye as the laser was applied. Again, no discomfort. After this, Mr Jain cleaned my eye and repleaced the flap, he seemed to take great care doing this. I was impressed/releived. Then the second eye was done the same way. My prescription was only about -1.50, so the actual laser took just an amazing 11 seconds. Mr Jain the saw me in an adjoining room to look very carefully at the eye and make sure he was happly with the flap etc. Again no problems.
I went home less than an hour after surgery. My eyes stung like anything for the next 4/5hours despite sleeping as advised in a darkened room. Then came the real grittiness. This was very uncomfortable. That evening i had to use the eyes drops provided. One was a lubricating drop for dry eyes, an antibiotic, and also a steroid drop in case of any inflammation. The first time i used them i.e. night of surgery, the drops stung like hell. But they were fine the following day and beyond.
Sleeping with the plastic eye shields is fun, not. But you get used to it,the wife says i snore, so must be sleeping ok! I had an eye exam the day after surgery and my vision was 2 lines better than 20/20, absolutely amazing. I just stare down the road and cannot believe it. You do get used to the eye drops, although the steriod one is awkward, it is a milky liquid and very messy. Tomorrow i go back for my 7 day check up, see what happens then.
All i can say is my close up vision is not brilliant, maybe my age, 41. Or maybe i have overdone it at work on the computer, who knows. I was told the eyes are just adjusting.
The whole experience is as i say amazing, go for it. I must also say thank you to Mr Jain and ann at shaftesbury avenue. They were great.
ps.sorry ann about all the questions, you were very patient and the wife is coming to you next.

PHONED GLASGOW BRANCH RE LASIK SPOKE TO ANDREW. GAVE ME GREAT FANTASTIC, NO NON-SENSE ADVICE. OFFERED A FREE ASSESSMENT WITHOUT OBLIGATION. STILL TO MAKE APPOINTMENT BUT WILL DO SOON

I had Lasek at Manchester just under two weeks ago and it is the best thing I have ever done. Previously, I had decided to have Lasik as the longer recovery time associated with Lasek did not appeal to me and had heard some bad reports about the amount of pain you may suffer. However, after having a discussion with Dr Aziz on the day of surgery, he recommended I have Lasek due to my above average pupil size. He also mentioned that there is lower risk of suffering from dry eyes, which I had done when wearing contact lenses. I had previously worried about the risk of infection and complications with Lasik treatment, which is much lower for Lasek. Dr Aziz was incredibly honest and his advice was spot on.

The surgery was completely painless, although I could feel some pressure on my eyes. The next couple of days were slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. My eyes felt gritty and were very sensitive to light. The worst bit was putting so many drops in but I got used to it pretty quickly. It is recommended you take a week off work but I went back after 5 days with slightly blurred vision and have had no problems at all.

DO NOT be put off by Lasek. There is a slightly longer recovery time but after 7 days, your recovery is over with no risk of infection or complications. There is slight discomfort for the first couple of days but it is by no means painful. I went out for lunch the day after surgery and was completely fine. It just felt I had my contact lenses in for too long.

I would recommend anybody to have Lasek treatment. It has totally changed my life for the better. Mr Aziz and his staff were wonderful, answering any questions I had over the next week. There is nothing to worry about and anybody thinking about it should just go for it.

Had LASIK with Dr Jain this morning… Wow what an experience! Expectations relating to the surgery had not surprises although the left eye felt the pressure a little bit. Now 12 hours later my sight is amazing considering what eyes have gone through today. Mr Jain is a gentleman and Charles and the support nurses @ Milton Keynes (remembering this is 8.30 on a Sunday morning and they do not live local), need a medal! Thanks to the team. Back tomorrow for my check up but already things feel and look good.