Optimax

I had bilateral epi-flap surgery 5 weeks ago at optimax manchester, the surgeon was Dr Steven Doyle. My prescription was -8.5 in both eyes currently my eyesight is 6/5 (better than 20/20 vison). I have a check up in two months time, hopefully things will stay this way. As for the surgeon Steven Doyle I highly recommend him, explained everything thoroughly and was very happy to answer any questions. Ultimately the decision to proceed with surgery is a personal one but for me it was money well spent, I would definatley recommend it.

FAO Allison Richardson: How old were you when you had surgery done? I Am 21 and was warned my eye sight could get worse, so am weighing up waiting a few years to have it done...

I am so glad I undertook bilateral epi-flap prior to reading the posting by MRK. If I had any doubts at all, then this would have put me off once and for all. I am pleased to report that I had epi-flap at Birmingham performed by Dr Gopee on 21st Feb, prescription -2.75 left and -2.50 right, no astigmatism. Immediately following treatment, I left the laser room elated and three days on, consider the £850, the best money ever spent. I sincerely wish I had plucked up courage years ago.

I had Lasek treatment at the Leeds clinic with Dr Samuel. Before treatment my prescription was -2.25 (L) and -2.50 (R). I wore glasses and contacts but couldn't keep contacts in for more than about 6 hours before they felt uncomfortable. The procedure was painless and straightforward, afterwards I was in severe pain for about 3 hours, after that I felt uncomfortable for the rest of the day and then the next day I felt a lot better. I have experienced none of the complications that I read about (I was worried about dry eyes due to problems with contacts but have not had to use any drops). My eyesight was improved straight away but got better and better over the next two weeks. At my first aftercare appointment (2 weeks)I was slightly long sighted (but was told this would improve over the following few weeks which it has) but overall vision was almost 20/20. It was definately the best thing I have debated about having done and it has already made a great difference to my life. Thank you Dr Samuel and Leeds Optimax staff.

I had bilateral LASEK Epiflap done on 23 December by Dr. Almasari in Finchley Road, London using 2 for 1 offer (price of one eye, treatment on both). I'm 30 years old and my original prescription was: Right eye: -3.25 with -1.0 astigmatism Left eye: -3.75 with -1.50 astigmatism If you follow this website you've read description of surgery few hundred times already, so I'm not going to get into details. The recovery knocked out few long days out of my life, mostly because I wasn 't given bandage lenses (Xmas period, there was no one to remove it). The so called "discomfort" during first three days everyone is bragging about is a pretty much like someone flushed your eyes with petrol mixed with sand and then lit it afire. You do survive harder things in life, though and the memory of the first days post op fades very quickly. When I finally could open my eyes there were no drum rolls or fireworks, no miracle stories to tell. My sight was actually pretty bad, both far and near, extremely sensitive to light and trying to automatically focus on objects around me felt almost like I was going cross eyed. That continued pretty much for about 10 days until first checkup. During first appointment with optometrist we failed to obtain any decent prescription due to heavy ghosting in my sight, but both eyes were pretty much to close to +-0.50 dioptres although with evident astigmatism. I am now about 9 weeks after my treatment and my sight is: Right eye - 1.25 with -0.25 astigmatism Left eye -1.25 with -1.0 astigmatism As you can see, hardly a success if you undetook the surgery because you expected to never wear glasses again in your entire life. Both eyes also suffer from scar tissue and hazing which is being treated from today with Fluorometholone drops (form of corticosteroid) to help clear up the eye. One thing is already certain: The chance of me having 20/20 vision without second operation is about as low as winning National Lottery. In the best case scenario, if I'm really, really lucky I might end up with 20/40 (driving standard), but since astigmatism is not very likely to vanish on its own it would be very, very ghosty 20/40. I can't really fault anyone at Optimax, they all seemed competent and I felt they knew what they were doing. Can't really say what went wrong but the ironic side of me can't help but repeat "you get what you pay for". Half price and unfortunately half the effect. You have to admit, this is far form perfect score. This story is to be continued, it will be at least 5 months before my eyes can get retreated to correct this unfortunate regression, but let me tell you this: The literature provided by Optimax before the operation contains many reassuring lines, like: "98% of patients achieve unaided driving standard vision after treatment. Moderate treatment levels (above -3 dioptres) achieve 95% success." "avoid driving for about one week" "patients tend to be slightly long sighted immediately after treatment so reading small print is not easy. Do not worry, as this will only last few weeks." My advice is simple - don't fall for PR. It's not that easy and it's almost never as quick as they make you to believe. Do not listen to miracle stories about people with cosmetic -1.5 dioptres waking up on third day with sniper 20/20 in both eyes. Ignore all the stories you've read where people didn't indicate what prescription they had to begin with. Be prepared that your recovery may stop at less than driving standard. And be ready to spend days, weeks and months looking at world more blurry and scary than when you actually had glasses on your nose. There are no guarantees, just chances, and what's more you will sign no guarantee disclaimer yourself in front of the doctor, before your treatment. Expect no wonders. And if recovery is quick and effects are just as you expected it will make your day. If your sight improves to -1.0 dioptre and you still have to wear glasses then at least you were fully aware of such possibility and it won't break your heart.

This maybe particularly relevant for Jayne Emsley. I had epi-lasek treatment at Optimax in Leeds a week last Friday (6th Feb). The doctor was Dr Samuels. My prescription was about -4.50 short sighted. The treatment went fine, although the pain kicked in on the journey home as the anaesthetic eye drops wore off. I would recommend taking some pain killers while you are in the clinic, after the operation has taken place. I also found that I was really snotty for the first hour or so with a runny nose which appears to be an initial side effect straight after the op. Once I got home I took the painkillers and sleeping tablets and fell asleep about 20 minutes later.The pain is like a strong discomfort like having chilli powder in your eye. I slept most of the day and by the next day I was much better. Vision was surprisingly good, but I was particularly light-sensitive, so wore shades a lot and rested. By the Sunday I was even better, and apart from wearing sunglasses occasionally, I went to the pub for dinner(sat in the non-smoking section!) and made up a flat-pack wardrobe!! I took the Monday off work as it was already booked, rested, took it easy, but was able to drive fine as my eyesight was good. I had the bandage lenses in throughout but I have wore contact lenses for about 12 years, including gas perms for the last 7 so they didn't cause much trouble, although by the Monday, the only discomfort felt like I'd had contact lenses in too much. I had them removed on Tuesday (despite being back at work!), and by Wednesday I was superb. A mate of mine had his op last Friday (13th!) on the 2-for-1 offer and as he wasn't used to wearing contact did feel quite a bit of discomfort, he was also sick on the day of the op but thinks this might be food poisoning. The effect of this was that the sleeping tablets and painkillers didn't work as he'd sicked them up, so he was in quite a bad way. He rang optimax and had the bandage lenses removed early -on the Monday, although Dr Samuels apparently wasn't too happy about doing this. However he did feel much better as soon as they were out. I would definitely recommend the treatment, mine was a relatively painfree experience apart from the first day, and particularly as my prescription was quite bad I can really notice the difference. Can't wait to go swimming. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions.

I underwent laser surgery to correct mild short sightedness in December 2000. This was at Optimax in Finchley Road. I was initially delighted with the results and had trouble free vision for about two years. However, I gradually started to notice a deterioration in my sight. Eventually, I went for an eye test, only to find that my left eye had reverted back to being -1 and my right eye to -0.5. That is a low level of myopia but still I had to purchase some glasses as the problem seemed to be getting worse. I contacted the clinic, who simply said they could not do anything as I had signed a disclaimer form, in which they state that they cannot guarantee continued good vision. Of course I do not remember that form but very clearly remember the glossy brochure and positive publicity!! It seems now that I spent £1000 and suffered a fair amount of pain and discomfort for nothing more than two years free of glasses or contact lenses.

L -1.25 R - -1.50 both with astigmatisum I am booked in at optimax on saturday 21st feb to have (all being well) epi lasek. My surgen is Dr Samuels. I havent read any testimonials on him. I would be very interested on any comments anyone would have. My main concern is wearing the bandage lenses afterwards. My eyes dont tolerate contacts very well. It is written that the lenses reduce the after pain considerably. Has anyone had epi lasik done without the lenses? My husband is taking a few days off work to look after me so not seeing for a bit longer is not the problem it is the pain. Please Please send me any info you have. I will post again post op!

I am booked in to have EPI-Lasek treatment at optimax for both eyes in 2 weeks time and currently have a prescription of -1.00 in both eyes and a astigmatism in one eye has any one else had laser surgery on such a low prescription as mine and what kind of results can I expect will I be able to read the football scores on the TV which I can not currently do without glasses. Also this operation does not require the flap being cut they use drops instead has anyone else had this. Please respond as I am starting to have serious doubts

I had Lasik treatment at Optimax London nearly 3 years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. I had a prescription of -4.25 in each eye plus slight astigmatism. I can now see perfectly and it is so nice to be able to go swimming etc with the children without having to worry about glasses! The treatment was not totally pain free but any pain was well worth it and only short term. I would recommend anyone to go to Optimax as the service was great and the benefits are even greater!