Optimax

I had my consultation last thursday with Dr Hynes at the Manchester clinic and I am due to have Lasik tomorrow, I found Dr Hynes very informative and he fully explained the complications that can occur, fingers crossed though eh !! I will let you know how it goes !!

Had the operation done, slightly scary but not to bad. Its just a bit weird having a new sensation of people messing around inside your eyes... no pain, eyes were really watery after op. Woke up the next morning and saw the alarm clock without any aids ;-) things are still a bit blury, but not to bad, a fair amount of night vision / halo round lights at the moment, but hopefully this will get better in time. I have a post op 1 week checkup next week in Glasgow. I'm not sure if they've managed to bang the nail on the head yet only time will tell. Will keep you all updated, but I will be able to drive down the road tomorow but not at night.... I have £100 Off vouchers if any 1 is interested? things havent setled down yet but im impressed so far, ill send another after the 1st week checkup bfn.

I had Lasek at Croydon carried out by Dr Hoe who as absolutely excellent and very confidence inspiring. The pain started about 45 mins after surgery and therefore I took the sleeping pills and went straight to bed when I got home. When I woke up after 3 hours the pain had virtually gone and my vision was slightly cloudy but a lot better than I expected. The day after England were playing their first game in Euro 2004 and Optimax said I won't be able to watch TV. But I experienced none of the sensitivity to light and was able to sit and watch the match. Having had the bandage contact lenses out 3 days later my eyes were confirmed as driving standard - although I had taken the week off work and didn't drive until I went back. Since then I've experienced no problems at all. The reason I can't give Optimax 5 stars is their administration. Its terrible. Having made an appointment for treatment around 2 months in advance they cancelled it without telling me. So I take time off work and turn and there is no-one there. I was not impressed. They are incapable of booking appointments more than 2 months ahead (my dentist can do it) and often phone to re-arrange aftercare appointments (which can feel rather rushed). The admin staff don't seem to care. So Optimax sort out your customer service and you'll be even better.

I had epi-lasik on both my eyes at the beginning of Septmeber at Optimax in Manchester. Yes, it was painful and it took a week for me to see properly. I was two days in bed with my eyes closed. Optimax had explained about all these problems that I experienced, so I knew what to expect. I followed all their advice and didn't expect too much too soon. Needless to say, it's now been 3 months and my vision is excellent. I still get dry eyes at night, but that's getting better too. Optimax were very friendly, helpful and professional throughout. They are monitoring my eyes on a regular basis, not at set time periods, but when my eyes need it. I find that level of care excellent. If you arn't the sort of person who expects miracles within 5 minutes, then it is well worth it. Just how much do you hate wearing glasses? No pain- no gain

What an amazing experience!!! I dont frighten easily but have to admit I was a little concerned about the treatment. Anyway I did it and I can put my hand on my heart and tell you it is the best thing ever. I had my final check up earlier this year and have got better that 20/20. All I can say is it worth every single penny I paid. No pain either, what a result. Worst thing was no make up for 3 weeks after!!! Good luck to anyone considering this operation. Go for it and enjoy better vision. xxx

I have booked laser eye surgery at the Aberdeen branch, I come from Glasgow but was refered to Aberdeen as I have extremely large pupils..... My treatment takes place on Wednesday 8th December '04, I have a very high prescription of -7.5 in both eyes, so you can imagine I cant see anything without my glasses (not even my glasses ;-) ), my eyes are just sick and tired of contacts that I wear for over 15 hours on a day to day basis since I was 16 (30 now), so keep your fingers crossed everyone, and i'll let you know how things go.

I'm about to book a consultation in Croydon but would like to hear experiences from anyone who has recently had surgery here. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has had laser surgery and has young children as I don't think my 2 yr old will allow me to rest and sleep after the procedure.

I had Epi Lasik treatment by Dr Shah at the Manchester clinic on 5th November 2004 I was impressed that Dr Shah thoroughly talked me through the proceedure, explaining what type of sight I could expect to gain, as I had a very small prescription. I was advised to seriously consider my options, I actually got the impression that Dr shah was trying to put me off the treatment, but found this reassuring that Optimax wasn't just after my money - to be honest, I was on such a high about getting my eyes done that day, that I had already decided that I would proceed. Before the treatment, my main concern was how I would cope with wearing the contact bandage lenses. This was because I had tried lenses in the past and could not cope with the sensation of wearing them The treatment was very quick and painless. The bandage lenses were put in without me even realising! About twenty minutes after leaving the clinic my eye-lids felt so heavy that I had to close my eyes. I was not able to open my eyes until I returned to the clinic three days later, this was the most frightening aspect of the whole process, and altough I had been warned that this may happen, had not expected my eyes to be closed for the whole weekend! After the bandage lenses were removed, I found that my eyes were very light sensitive, watering in bright light. I would advise anybody to get decent sunglasses before treatment to help with this and to anticipate the sensitivity to unexpected light even on dull days. It is wonderful to be able to see without my glasses and would recommend anybody to proceed with this treatment.

Has anyone had any dealings with Optimax in Leeds? I'm thinking about booking a consultation with them for Lasik (I'm -6.00 in both eyes). Did have a consultation with Ultralase earlier in the year but bottled out! I would appreciate any comments on Leeds clinic. Thanks

Went to Optimax, Leeds last Saturday 6th November, what a roller coaster of emotions, I was so nervous. We arrived an hour early, saw the street sign 'Headway' and parked on a meter, which was about £2 for five hours, (if I remember correctly, cheap on a Saturday). We literally walked across the road and found Optimax, so a little further along (west) found the Cafe Nero and it allowed smoking, managed to force a sandwich down and waited. I had been to the Docs previously to get something to take to calm me down, he gave me Diazepam 2mg 12 tablets, decided not to take one yet, incase they said I couldn't have it done. Anyway, consultation at 1.30pm, £60 the receptionist took me into a room for the usual type of eye tests, etc., checked my pressures, I read a notice on the wall, saying you shouldn't have had a coffee or cigarette within the last twenty minutes for this, so thought I better tell her, she said it didn't matter really. Then Dr. Ilango called me in, (his photo on the Optimax site does not do him any favours, he wasn't nearly so frightening to look at). His handshake was a bit pathetic, which didn't boost my confidence any. He gave me loads of time, I sat there with a great long paper full of questions, He asked if I had already made up my mind, I told him yes, and that I had researched it for a few months and been on the forums etc. He said, I would need reading glasses straight away, which I already knew, I wore them with my contact lenses, when in bad light, he put some drops in and checked my pupil size and the thickness of epilithium, said my eyes were fine and I could go ahead that afternoon, I asked if my tear quality was ok and he said yes, he only had three including me to laser. Went to the desk and filled out all the forms again, could have done without that, my hands were beginning to shake by this time, they had already sent me all those in the post, but apparently all had to be dated that day, gave them a cheque for £90 and signed direct debit for £90 per month for next 10 months, Epi-Lasek is on offer for November @ £495.00 per eye, instead of £595.00. They photocopied my passport, recent bank statement and gas bill. Think that all took about 1 hour, maybe just over. Then we went out, for another coffee, I decided to take a Diazepam, even though the nurse -Katy I had spoken to, told me I wouldn't need it, she had the Epi-Lasek done last year and said she was fine. After about 20 minutes and a couple of fags, I really did feel slightly calmer. Took a breath freshener and went back to Optimax. 3.15 ish pm. Heart thumping, knees turned to jelly, stomach churning (Diazepam wasn't working), we sat in the waiting room with another two couples, the nurse brought us all bag of goodies, antibiotic eye drops, refresher tear drops, pain killers, sleeping tablets and instructions (no spectacles or eye pads to wear at night like at Ultralase), a few minutes later, the nurse, Katy called me, I walked in and laid on like a dentist chair fully reclined, after putting bath cap on my head and on each shoe, the doctor put anaesthetic drops in my eyes, then patch over left eye, then put on the eye clamp, I couldn't even feel it, I asked him if he had put it on, it felt cold, but comfortable, my eye never tried to blink, he then put in more drops - the alcohol that softens the epilithium and I was aware he was touching the eye, it was like seeing under water then he told me to look at the red light as he swung this camera like thing over my head, it was like looking at red bar of electric fire, not bright at all, it was round with blurry bits in it, it made some crackling noises quietly and I smelt a burning smell, like burning hair, but couldn't feel a thing, he swilled eye with saline, and then put on a clear bandage contact lens (apparently to help with the pain later) took clamp off (all took about 30 seconds) and then he asked if alright to go ahead with other eye, I couldn't even believe he had done it, it was so quick, so same again with the left eye. I stood up and came out feeling a bit queasy, think it was the smell, walked back into waiting room, hanging on to the nurse, Katy, (who had held my hand all the way through and talked to me), all eyes were upon me. I couldn't help smiling, I was elated and told them all you don't feel a thing it's fantastic. Karl said I was in there 9 minutes, then the nurse brought me water and pain killers, as she said it would sting half an hour later when the drops wore off, we went out to the car, already I could see more than before, got straight on mobile, rang all the family, put the seat into recline and waited for the pain, yes it did sting, it was like the worst burning shampoo in my eyes. Got home, Karl led me into the house and plonked me on the settee, tears just streamed down my face, he made me a cup of tea and a sandwich, , which I had great difficulty swallowing because I was so blocked up, took 3 soluble Disprin Extras, went straight to bed, eyes and nose streaming, was very cold, couldn't get warm and my teeth started to chatter, in the end, I got up and felt my way to the bathroom, to run a bath, haven't a clue what the time was, just couldn't open my eyes even for a second, had quick bath, also found the Vicks Sinex to unblock my nose then straight back in to bed, must have dozed off, Karl came in and had to prize eyes open to put drops in, drops can't have done much good as the tears were still pouring, he threw another duvet over me this felt really heavy and eventually I got to sleep, never took the sleeping tablets they had given me, woke up a couple of times, then in the morning I managed to open left eye a fraction and could see it was light, thank goodness, it had seemed like the longest night of my life, eyes all gunged up. Slowly set about just dabbing with cotton wool and saline, got them open then put drops in, left eye just sore, but could see quite clearly, the right eye was very sore and red and I couldn't open it properly, I think if I had been with Ultralase they would have taken the lens out that day, anyway follow up appointment was Tuesday at 2pm, had a constant headache all Sunday and Monday, left eye was doing really well and quite comfortable, but the right eye was very, very sore and the eyelid was a bit swollen, every now and then it stung even more and I would blink as much as I could, then it would settle down again, so when on Monday it was still like this, I realised there was something behind that contact lens, but I daren't take it out myself, so I stuck it out - thinking just another day, I should have rung and told them on Monday, had it just been nearby in Hull, we would have just gone anyway, finally 2pm Tuesday came and the Doctor put anaesthetic drops in and took the lenses out, he said the pain would come back when drops wore off, but it never came back like before, it was just a dull sore ache, I was right, there had been something behind that lens, I think it was the tiniest bit of burned epilithium, that had stayed attached, I felt it pull when he took the lens out. At last, a good nights sleep. Wednesday 10th Nov. Right eye was open, swelling gone and felt so much better, vision about 3/4 the strength of the left eye, which is pretty sharp now. Thursday 11th Nov. Vision of right eye almost up to the left and I got in the car and drove to my parents, felt a bit nervy for some reason, I have never driven without contact lenses or specs and it just felt weird, I want to tell everyone I have had my eyes lasered, even the girl on the till in Tesco, who was wearing specs. Friday 12th Nov. Right Eye still feels slightly gritty, like a contact lens at the end of the day. Left eye is hardly noticeable, but this is quite normal, find I feel a lot better outside in the fresh air, the refresher drops, that am keeping in the fridge feel lovely. I can pick out the bricks on the back wall today with my right eye Another check up in two weeks, then they will refer me to an optician in Hull (wouldn't tell me which one, must be top secret). This will have paid for itself inside three years, with the money I was forking out for lenses, solutions, etc. Pain and fear all worth it. Back to work on monday.