Optimax

I had Lasik at Bristol Optimax on 12th May with Dr Martiz. I agree with the comments made by Mandy - he is very uncommunicative, and quite honestly I was terrified. I was in a state of shock at the end , and sobbed in the waiting room afterwards. He did reassure me that all had gone well at the post op check half an hour or so later, but I think he needs to speak louder and more often to calm patients down. I wasnt sure if I was doing what he wanted as I could hardly hear him. I was initially pleased with the result once I had calmed down, but I have had a severe deterioration in my left eye over the last few days. It is not to driving standard at the moment, and I am worried in case my right eye also deteriorates. Post op checks have shown no problems, but deterioration has been since last check. Right eye is fantastic, so far. I think one of the things that really threw me was going into the surgery itself with no specs on. I immediately felt threatened as I couldnt really see what was in the room, or who was there. I think it would be a good idea if you were shown the room in advance or allowed to go in with sight. The doctor should explain in advance what he is going to do and reassure throughout - there was none of that. I have not checked the doctors credentials. I think he is South African? At the moment I am worried about my left eye, but realise that it is early days. My next appt is not til mid june but I may go back earlier if it doesnt settle down. I also had to wait for nearly 2 hours for the surgery, which does nothing to calm the nerves. Having read many complimentary comments about the treatment at Optimax, I have to say I was very disappointed with the Bristol centre. I am reserving judgment as to whether it was all worth it. If anyone wishes to contact me I would be happy to provide further info as Mandy has offered.

Optimax - Bristol Branch - treatment 10th April It is just over a month now since I had LASIK at the Bristol clinic with Dr Martiz.> The Dr himself was very quiet and didn't volunteer any information to me unless I asked about things which I thought was a bit unhelpful. The day of treatment itself was fine, I had an hours wait went in for 15 minutes, had both eyes done, waited for another 30minutes, had a check up and was out of the clinic. I have had a problems since due to not healing as quickly as most people. I had severe bruising and swelling in the eyes which caused me to have astigmatism. My sight is only now begining to improve and I have another aftercare in two weeks time with an actual surgeon due to my complications. All I can say is yes I am glad I had it done, BUT, don't expect to have instant sight. I work on a computer and it still goes a bit hazy towards the end of the day. If anyone wants to contact me, please do as I know there is a lack of information especially regarding the Bristol clinic. Good luck.

UPDATE DR PATEL RANG ME TODAY FOLLOWING MY FAX TO HIM YESTERDAY EXPRESSING MY CONCERN OVER BLURRED VISION, HE REASSURED ME THAT ALL WAS NORMAL, AND THAT THE PRED FORTE DROPS DO EFFECT VISION SOMETIMES. I FELT A LOT HAPPIER FOLLOWING HIS CALL, ALTHOUGH I JUST POKED MYSELF IN THE EYE, AND YES IT IS VERY TENDER.

Update 72hrs post op Woke up this morning, eyes very crusty, so I just laid in bed and administered the drops. However the site in my right eye is very out of focus today, and even as I write this I am not able to look at the screen for more than a few seconds at a time as my eyes go all glary. I tried to ring Finchley branch but it just kept ringing and ringing, so in the end I sent a fax, that was three hours ago and no return call. I have heard that stronger drops can help, does anyone know if this is right

Lasik - My story - i arrived at 9.30am Monday for 10am surgery, however Mr Pael was slightly late so I was finally seen at 10.20am. The process was that I was taken into the reception area of the theatre, where I had a fancy pair of over booties and a rather dashing plastic hat put on. Fromthere I was led into the theatre where Mr Patel greeted me, and asked me to lay down on the bed, he roughly explained the process and then proceded to clean my eyes. Following this he put numerous drops into both eyes so as to numb them. He covered my right eye first and put the instrument on the left eye to cut the flap. he had told me previously that I would need the laser applied for 61 secs for the left eye and 64 for the right. I thought people only needed 10 or 15 secs. My eyes were approx -3.50 each. I was told to stare at the red light on the laser, breath deeply and that there would be a clicking noise when it was working, he also said that there would be a slight smell, horrible flesh burning smell more like. Anyway that eye was done and he did the next exactly the same, except I felt a real sharp dagger like pain when he put the flap cutting device onto my eye. once complete he said all had gone well and with a smile said goodbye. i was taken back into the reception room given some tablets and my aftercare pack. I was then asked to wait out side for a while and then I would be called in to see an optomorist. My eyes began to sting loads when I sat there waiting, and try as I might my vision was very blured, after about 20 mins, my vision very slowly started to focus, but nothing spectacular, I was called in to the opticians room where I was given the once over and told to report back in a week. Going home everything seemed so bright, I could not keep my eyes open for more than a minute or two at a time, when I got back to my car which was parked at Stanmore, I got my dad to put the first lot of eye drops in, if they were stinging before they stung like buggery now (not that I know what that feels like!!), anyway I was glad to get home and just spent the rest of the day in a darkish room relaxing. By the evening I could see a lot better, although by no means perfectly, it was like looking through skimmed milk, but I could read the programme channels and descriptions on Sky, so things were looking up. I slept roughly with the eye shields on and woke early, which didnt matter as I had to go back to the clinic to have my 1st aftercare appointment. My eyes were not stinging anymore and I felt kinda normal, in a surreal sort of way, but as per the night before my vision was still cloudy, and definately not to even driving test standard. Driving down I definately noticed that I could read things that I previously could not, but after hearing reports of immediate 20/20 vision from others, I was a little concerned. I was seen early by the optician, but found her very remote and not really that helpful in reassuring me that things would get better, she checked my flaps and they were fine, and asked me what I could see on the eye test chart, I could read down to driving test standard but it was a bit out of focus, and I still had the cloudy vision. She didnt explain anymore about the drops, which I was told she would, and after 5 mins I was sent home. I tried driving home but had to stop and let my dad drive as I was not focusing right. By late evening my eyes were improving little by lttle, but no huge advances, so I went to bed. Today i returned to work including a long drive to Cheshunt from Peterborough, I now know what they meant by the halo effect around lights etc, I kept trying to read number plates, some I could black on white, some I couldnt black on yellow, but not too bad. So here I am now 48 hours on, still cloudy, especially after the pink bottle, I am improving I think, but I just feel that I need a giant leap forward over the next few days, and hopefully things will become much more focused and less milky. Was it all worth it - A big yes, and 5 stars next week if my vision is where I want it to be.

My first post for Optimax, I now see, was a hasty decision. The reason for Optimax going down to 2 stars are as follows: I remember after the initial surgery, mentioning that it felt as though my bandage contact was falling out, but I was told all was fine. The day after I was told 20/20 vision. Great, I was ecstatic. Day after that, in the evenings, one eye seemed “fuzzy”. At first I put this down to ghosting etc. It was only 3 days later when I awoke with the “fuzziness” that I began to worry. I phoned the clinic, they were reassuring – however Dr. Madhu wasn’t in to speak to me, he was operating in Birmingham. So I phoned the contact no. on my aftercare sheet. Dr. Madhu said I could go to Manchester that day if I was overly concerned, or he could see me in Birmingham the next day, or wait ‘til my appt. the day after. Having no form of transport, I had to wait until my appt. Now here is where the 5 stars get knocked out of the window!! Dr. Madhu knew I was extremely anxious about my eye, but I still had to wait 2 hours to be seen. There was one woman who had an appointment for a consultation at 10am and when I left at 12.30 she still hadn’t been seen! Dr. Madhu was insistent that everything was fine with my eyes. Only after getting myself upset and teary, did he use the microscope to have a look. He said that my cornea was slightly creased, and this was causing me the “fuzziness”. I would have to go back and have my cornea lifted again and smoothed back down. He said that this sometimes happens, but it depends on how sensitive your eyes are, whether you notice the difference – (meaning what? – if people have a creased “flap” and they don’t notice it, then it’s ok??) He also said these procedures are better done “sooner than later” – but he wasn’t operating until after the weekend, so I could go in then! (It was Wednesday; I had to go back on Mon.) Better sooner? But better for who? Me who‘s eye needed attention, or for the doctor, who wasn’t operating, so I’d have to wait! Now I’m not knocking the doctor’s talent here at all: I know things can go slightly wrong after surgery, and it happenned to me - one of those things...It's the lack of concern that bothers me. Also - seems to me that the Liverpool clinic don’t get enough people having their eyes done there, so the doctor moves around and does surgery elsewhere (fair enough – none of anyone’s business) but when everyone is “crammed” into one day – with appointments 2 ½ hours before they are seen, and I can see myself, and others getting more anxious, I become worried about their system! (Also the person accompanied me for the appt. was late back for work because of the delay). Day of treatment – appointment at 10.15 am – went in at 11.15am. The surgery was horrible! Now that’s probably because I was very anxious – but I thought it was worse than the laser treatment itself… Doctor once again lacking in bedside manner. I had to keep asking what was being done – only once or twice did he volunteer any information on what was going on. Went to have my bandage contact removed the day after and it had taken residence in my top eyelid. (again - it happens once in a while) Now I know I mustn’t have been the easiest and calmest of patients. But I expected better treatment than this… I’m now wondering if I hadn’t actually insisted that there WAS something wrong with my eye, would I have been left with fuzzy vision? As my boyfriend said – (flippant comment – but true) you don’t expect to get a suite back from professional cleaners with creases in – so why with something as precious as your eyes is it any different!! Also – the waiting time in this particular clinic seems to always be lengthy, and the time spent with the doctor rushed. Yes, get your eyes lasered, it IS worth it. But in my experience, if you go to the Liverpool clinic, take a book to read, and park somewhere with a long stay period. ASK questions, and don’t be afraid to KEEP ON asking them until you are satisfied with the answers. Take up the offer of valium, and get the pain killers in – you may not need them, but i did. Better to be safe than sorry.

Hi all, this is my experience with Optimax (LONG!) : I "was" shortsighted. Approx -5 in each eye with about -3.25 astigmatism which is very high. I first contacted Optimax about 7 yrs ago but was advised at the consultation not to proceed as the laser technology at the time wasn't ideally suitable for treating my level of astigmatism. So, I contacted Optimax again in February this year (2003). At the consultation I was informed that things had changed considerably and that achieving 20/20 vision after treatment was now in the 90-95% range rather than 60% before (1996). So I booked up for the treatment on 24th Feb. Because my cornea is on the thin side I was advised that Lasek (Epiflap) was the only option. Also I was advised to have my non-dominant eye treated first. My consultation was with Dr Almasri who was very polite and knowledgeable. I wasn't pressured at any time and he answered all my questions. So, 24th Feb arrived. I was a little nervous as my appointment was 8.40 Monday morning in Finchley and the drive down was hell (as usual). Upon arrival I had to complete the consent form etc. I was offered a Valium (which I took!) and about 10'ish was called in for treatment. You first enter a side room to the main operating room. I was given anaesthetic eye drops and asked to put on a cap and plastic bags over my shoes. Then I was led in to the treatment room and asked to lie down on the table. My head was positioned under the laser. I could see flashing red lights above. First a gauze was placed over the non-treated eye and then some extra gauze around the treated eye (to catch all the drops!). Some more eyedrops were adminstered and Dr Almasri (the same doctor performs the treatment as the one in your consultation) placed a clamp over the eye to keep the eyelids open. This is not nearly as bad as I imagined it would be and in fact was rather comfortable almost immediately. Next an instrument which I can only describe as a polo on a stick was placed on the surface of the eye and the alcohol solution was applied. This softens the epithelium. I could hear the nurse count up to 40 seconds when the polo stick(!) was removed and some more drops applied. Next I could (almost) see Dr Almasri use another instrument to gently push the epithelium out of the way. At this point everything went blurry. Next was the laser! I was told the laser would be applied for about 40 seconds. I had to focus on the red flashing light. A clicking sound could be heard and I could smell burning! Once finished, more eyedrops and then the epithelium was pushed back in place. A soft contact lense was applied followed by more drops - yep, you've guessed - lots and lots of eye drops! I was asked if I was ok and then left the operating room. I could see a dramatic improvement in my vision straight away - not crystal clear but not far off. In the side room I was given a bag containing antibiotic eye drops, painkillers and sleeping tablets and then sent home. Upon leaving Optimax it was amazing being able to look down Finchley road and read signs, number plates etc!! Later that day after resting, I could not tolerate bright light so I just closed the curtains and went to bed. The next 24hrs I couldn't stand the light. But there was no pain which was good. By Wednesday I was able to go outside again without sunglasses etc.. Thursday I had to return to have the bandage lenses removed. Leading up to Thursday my vision had gotten slightly worse but when the bandage lense was removed it was crystal! Obviously the lense, like normal contacts, was getting grubby. I was informed my vision was alreadby better than 20/20 and I left the clinic beaming like a cheshire cat. Now this is the really important part. Over the next month or so a number of things happened. At first, night vision was poor. Sometimes my eye would get blurry. My vision fluctuated and finally settled about 6 weeks after surgery. To everyone considering surgery you must be prepared for these kind of things to happen. I'm not saying they will as we all heal differently. All i'm saying is, is that you are having surgery and you need to give your eyes time to heal. Things will change at first but should settle! About 3 weeks ago I had my right eye treated. Again, quick and painless. The sensitivity to light took a little longer - 48hrs as opposed to 24, but the vision got to 20/20 much quicker. I had a checkup on both eyes last week and my vision is now 20/10 or 6/4 which is absolutely amazing. All in all, I am extremely pleased with Optimax. My only real criticism is that although the consent form informs you of all the side effects you may experience, someone should really sit down with you once treatment has taken place and go through them with you. I experienced glare, halos, blurry vision, poor night vision etc.. but all of these were shortlived and I believe, part of the healing process. Experiencing this could cause a lot of panic in some people thinking their treatment has failed etc.. I hope this helps any of you considering surgery. If you have any questions etc..drop me a line at russ@fireflyuk.net. cheers Russ.

I have just been signed off today from Optimax, Finchley Road, my surgeon was Dr Patel. I had Lasik on both eye's on the 16th January 2003, It's clear to all that are about to take a decision to have a flap cut from their eye and then under go a laser to burn your eye into the correct shape that this is scary stuff. My eye's before the op were R -3.25 and L -2.75. The whole experience was very good, First the op was completly painless and very quick, by the same evening I was watching TV un-aided, at first I had some difficulty reading however this improved over a week. I was most concerned about night driving, spikes from car lights appeared quite bad, but yet again this has improved to the point I can't notice it anymore but it took 2-3 months to fully settle down. I was discharged today R +0.50 L 0.00. I also had a company medical a couple of weeks ago and explained that i had Lasik in January, after the checks the Doctor said that they did a very good job on your eye's. Bottom line is I believe it's the best decision and best money that I have every spent, I can't even remember most of the grief about wareing glasses and contacts. Anyway full marks to Optimax and special Thanks to Dr Patel

I have visited the Croydon clinic and booked my consultation for 2 weeks time. I've also booked the date to get both eyes done, probably using LASEK. Has anyone had any experience of the Croydon clinic? It seems to be conspicuous by its absence from this board.

After much deliberation I have chosen to go ahead with LASEK at the Manchester clinic and I'm booked in for my consultation on 23rd May and surgery on 11th June. My husband had PRK over 3 years ago and although he suffered for 3 or 4 days afterwards, he has 20/20 vision now and has never regretted it. I was orginally booked in for LASIK, but after reading comments on this site and further research, I've decided it carries a much greater risk and this flap business worries me. I would much rather suffer for a few days than take a risk. My concern is the light sensitivity afterwards. I am off on holiday to Italy on the 4th July - just 3 weeks after surgery and I'm worried that my holiday will be spoilt because of my sensitivity to light. Should I postpone my surgery until after my holiday? Any advice would be very much appreciated.