Optimax

I am due to have bi-lateral Epi Lasek on the 17th at Southampton. I must say that this forum has put my mind at rest to a certain degree as I have days when I think I'm doing the wrong thing by having this done. However, reading the majority of peoples comments so far, it looks like all I have to worry about is the service received by optimax, rather than the treatment/aftercare itself. Their quality of communication seems to vary from my experience so far. Sometimes I get a response to e-mails straight away. Other times nothing at all. I am currently in the "extremely nervous" stage & the lack of communication does nothing to ease any fears, or answer any questions I may have. Anyway, I am due to wear my contact lenses for the last time (hopefully) tomorrow! What a weird feeling. I currently have a prescription of -3.5 & astigmatism. I will post a follow up to say how the treatment went & how I am recovering as soon as I am able to see my PC. This forum is a godsend! It certainly helped me make my mind up.

I had bi-lateral epi lasek surgery on the 24th Feb 05 at the Bristol Branch performed by Dr Islam. The previous comments with regards to recovery and pain are all true. I am extremely pleased with the results and am being realistic with the recovery time. I had my bandage lens taken out on the following Monday and my eyesight has been improving on a daily basis. However, I am now becoming slightly concerned with a minor problem that I have, and after going through ALL previous postings I cannot find anyone with a similar problem. I have, in each eye, what I can only describe as a small fatty lump (it does have a medical name but this eludes me), which apparently is not uncommon or unusual. Dr Islam felt this would not be a problem and surgery went ahead. As I said earlier I am very pleased with the results but slightly concerned with these lumps. 11 days post op the epithelium appears to be stretch over the lumps (similar to cling film over a meatball) rather than fitting tightly around the lump. This leaves the surface of my eye slightly distorted. Unfortunately, the earliest my clinic (Bristol branch) can arrange a follow up appointment is the 21st Mar 05. I was hoping that someone out there has had the same problem and can reassure me that this is normal and will eventually settle tightly around the fatty lumps. I am also aware that the surgeons often view this site for feedback. Perhaps they would put my mind a rest or advise me to see a surgeon ASAP. Regards Dave

I used Optimax in Croydon over two years ago for my LASIK surgery. I had to have a retreatment in 3 months, but now have near perfect vision. The staff we all brilliant and I cannot fault anything. I did my research beforehand, so felt reasonably confident before going. Obviously it is a risky procedure and I had my doubts, but now that it is done I have no regrets. My husband has now had his eyes done at Optimax in Manchester, and so far is very happy. I only wish this treatment was available when I was 20 rather than 40! It would have made those years so much easier!!! I would recommend Optimax to anyone, but would always say to do your research on the net about the procedure, research your surgeon carefully and use sites like this to get opinions from others. It is amazing when you start asking friends and colleagues how many people have actually had this done! Go for it!!

Hi, I travelled to the Leeds Clinic on Sat 19th feb to have epi-lasek on both eyes. I have to say the staff were excellent with me, and Dr Samuel made me feel really at ease. I wasn't too worried about the operation itself, i was more concerned with the pain I expected to kick in afterwards. Anyway I was given a bag of pain killers and ointments. The op was done at 2.30 and there was no discomfort at all. About 30 mins later we had just got back to the car park and i could feel my eyes getting heavier and then they just clamped shut, it didn't hurt too much,just a mild stinging sensation. i went home to bed and didn't open my eyes until sunday evening, apart from when my husband had to put some drops in for me. I wasn't really in pain over the weekend,it was more discomfort because my eyes just kept streaming, could have filled a couple of buckets. Sunday evening i was relieved to open them and see fuzzy shapes, better than nothing. On Monday things were still blurry but they weren't watering anymore, and on Tuesday i had to go back to leeds to have the contact lenses removed. my vision kept coming and going and i couldn't read the eye chart at all, this was scary but i was told this was perfectly normal and it should improve each day. On weds I woke up and looked out the window and could see right down the end of our road, i put the telly on and it was amazing watching it. everything was really clear, but when i turned on my pc i couldn't read any of my emails. i was quite tired and had to keep resting my eyes. Friday and today have been brilliant. there is no discomfort, my vision has settled down, hence i am now using the computer.i am going to take the car out tomorrow. i can see further than i ever could with glasses, and i am going back to leeds on Monday for another check up. i won't have any problems reading the chart now! This is the best decision i have ever made, it has taken me 3 years to pluck up the courage, but has been money well spent. I say go for it if you don't mind a few days discomfort! Back to work on Tuesday hopefully.

Hi does anyone have any experience, comments etc about the Bristol Optimax clinic? I am going to attend an open day there next week. Also if anyone can recommend a surgeon that would be fab! Thanks

WOW - Have it done!! I was -3.75 in both eyes with a slight astigmatism in both eyes. As I do contact sports, the only option for me was LASEK and I ended up having bilateral wavefront LASEK under the care of Dr. Eve at Newcastle on 16/2. I was fine up until I walked into the clinic and the nerves kicked in. When they had finished the last few measurements and the valium was offered I jumped at the chance. The lasering itself was strange as although no pain could be felt, the sensation of pressure when my eye was being prepared and finished could be felt. There was little smell and it was over very quickly. The thing I wasn't prepared for was the shakes afterwards. I was shaking uncontrolabley and the nurses said it was quite common as the adrenalin kicks in when the procedure has finished. Although I couldn't see clearly, I could see the fire escape sign at the bottom of the corridor so I knew it had worked already, I would have only seen a green blob before. The pain on the way home was unreal when the anesthetic wore off and I was soooo light sensitive you wouldn't believe, but I put in the emergency pain drops and took some oral pain killers and went straight to bed. I woke up at 4ish in the morning to go to toilet. I didn't realise until I was going back to bed that I could see and the pain had gone!! I woke again at 8ish and I could see! The vision was a bit blurred and seemed to vary between the eyes, but I had none of the pain/gritty feeling others had reported. I went for my aftercare on Saturday (19/2 - 3 days post op) and they were amazed at how well I have healed. My lenses were taken out and I could see 20/20. I know I have harped on, but it is so worth it - get it done, it will change you life, it has changed mine already!! A big thank you to all at Newcatle especially the nurse who held my hand throughout my procedure (I'm sorry I can't remember your name). Thank you Optical Express!!

I had Lasik at the London clinic last week, 9th Feb. All I can say is that it takes a lot to impress me, but oh boy am I impressed!! I knew that it may not be possible to treat my eyes due to my prescription - long sight (+3.5) & astigmatism & a lazy eye. From the moment we entered the clinic we noticed the calm atmosphere. No-one was rushing round in a flap, everyone was so friendly & polite, and there was very little waiting around. Organisation was fantastic. Dr. Patel is such a wonderful man, he took all the time in the world to explain everything & make sure we really understood it all. What impressed us was when he said that he only treats patients that he knows will get a positive result from the procedure, thus keeping their success rate to its maximum. So I went ahead & had the Lasik. And they were right, it was totally painless! Dr. Patel talked to me all the time, he was very reassuring, I was only in there about 15 minutes & could see so much better when I sat up. My eyes felt a little gritty so I went home to sleep. Hubby woke me 2 hrs later for the drops, and the gritty feelings had gone! That night we went out for a while, & I could read the menu easily. I can honestly say that I've had no pain at all. And the best news? A week later I now have better than 20/20 vision, something that couldn't be achieved with glasses! I can't stop telling everyone & urging them to have a consultation! It truly is just wonderful. Go for it!!!

What sold Optimax to me was an encounter with a woman at the clinic while waiting for my initial assessment. She was bringing her daughter for the treatment having had it herself 5 months earlier. I am 100% happy with my treatment. My eyes are much healthier from not using contact lenses and I don't suffer from eye strain, as I did when wearing glasses. Optimax Ipswich staff are excellent - professional, decent and trustworthy.

I had epi-lasek at Liverpool clinic last Friday evening 4 February, prescription -3.75 and -4. The surgery itself wasn't painful although I have to say I wasn't fully prepared for the burning smell. I couldn't believe it when I walked out of the treatment room and could see without my glasses!! I spent that evening and the next two days like a gremlin avoiding bright lights. I wouldn't say my eyes were sore just very watery and it was difficult to open them to put the drops in. I returned on Monday to have the bandage lenses removed, this was a litle uncomfortable-I was 80-85% healed. I have been back to Optimax today (11.2.05). My right eye feels perfect but my left is still catching up. I'm back to driving standard and have to return in 2 weeks when I should be back at the standard I was with my glasses/contact lenses. I wouldn't say my eyes have been painful, dry or gritty. They do become tired a bit quicker and those dark sunglasses really are a must. I would certainly recommend epi-lasek so long as you are realistic about the recovery time (don't think I really was). When the advice booklet says it can take upto a month then the likelihood is it will!! All that said I can still see clearer now after a week than I have been able to unaided for the past 15 years or so......

I am the manager of the Aberdeen branch of the Advanced Laser Eye Clinic, I will be monitoring this site more frequently, so if you have any direct questions about laser eye surgery I will be more than happy to answer them. Julie - LASEK has excellent results, although the healing period is slightly longer than that of LASIK, it is a highly effective procedure. Many of our patients who are unsuitable for LASIK opt to have LASEK (where appropriate) and are delighted with the results, although I am aware that most of the postings on this site are from LASIK patients. You can contact me direct on the above email address if you would like to discuss this further, or would like to see some comments from LASEK patients as we have these available within our clinics.