Optimax

Went for my 10 day check up & the vision in my right eye is perfect, my left eye is slightly short-sighted & was told there is still time for improvement, tho if it doesnt im still perfectly happy with the results, its just mildly irritating at the moment, because im not use to the `slight difference, im sure in a few mths time when I come accustomed to it, it wont bother me at all.

Hi all, after my previous post expressing serious concerns about my left eye after having both eyes zapped (Posted on 12 Feb 2003 ~ double vision, un-clear vision etc), here is the update 1 month post op. The best advice about EPIFLAP PRK (LASEK) I can give is GIVE IT TIME FOLKS after the op. Ignore the 'miracle stories' on this message board, and if your eyes take a while to adjust, as did mine, it will only push you into forming rapid conclusions that are not necessarily true. I am now slightly over 1 month post op, and my eyes are still changing. The double vision has now settled down. It is now only very minor and improving day by day, and no longer noticeable under normal light. The sharpness of vision has gone from 70% to 100%. My right eye has regressed slightly from 100% back to around 95%. Don't do what I did and form a new conclusion whenever something changes. I was on my 4th conclusion, but now I am wiser and I am giving it time to heal and adjust properly! The lady DR (whose name I have never managed to get) who carried out my procedure read my previous comments on this web site, and phoned me to check everything was OK. This was a surprise, and I would like to thank her for this. The Optimax DRs have web access like the rest of us, and do read this board! If there is a slight criticism of Optimax, then it is that the supporting literature does not really go far enough to explain and re-assure about post-op changes to your sight before it settles down. The first check-up did nothing to re-assure me either. The lady DR did do this when she phoned me today, so bonus points here. My previous rating was 3 Stars, this has now gone up to 4 Stars as the op has been a really worthwhile experience, and the goal has been more than achieved. If the Optimax aftercare experience improves on the 10th March, then I will rate the experience as a 5 Star Experience. Hint- I am not a number...I have a name!! Thanks once again to the Optimax (Finchley Road) DR who called me today after reading this message board. I do not have your name! If you would like to mail it to me I would like to leave appropriate comments. Don't forget - GIVE IT TIME TO RECOVER!!

Hi All - Just had my consultatioin for LASIK with Dr Patel at Finchley Road. Most likely I will book to have the surgery done in the very near future. I would greately appricaite any comments/information that the experienced people here feel I should be aware of. My prescription is: (Right eye) Sphr: -3.25, Cyl:-1.25, Ax:7, BVD:14, Keratometry: 40x7/42.5x97, top:12, Pachymetry: 520, Avg Curve:41.5 (Left eye) Sphr: -2.75, Cyl: -2, Ax:172, BVD: 14, Keratometry: 40.75x175/43x85, top:12, Pachymetry: 516, Avg Curve:41.75 Pupil size: 6mm I have a copy of all my results if anyone wants further information. I found the consultation experience to be quite good. The staff were friendly and informative - If you prompt them for information they do tell you exactly what they are examining for at any point and what the result is as you go along. Dr Patel was espacially nice and answered all my questions to satisfaction. The eye drops to make your pupils dilate do not weare off quickly (I still have the affect now after aprox 4 hours) this makes it difficult to see easily outside and has made me feel slightly nausious due to the bright sunlight (even if it is cloudy - as today is). Anybody thinking of driving after a consultation should perhaps think twice. Good luck to everyone in the same boat! Thanks for your help those allready on the far shore! Everyone else thanks for your warnings! ;-)

Just to add to Mr Anwar's comments about the eye drops at the consulation - Optimax told me I woudn't be able to drive for 24 hours after, so I went with a friend, which is a good idea, but I had absolutely no effects at all - not even stinging or blurring - so it depends on the person it seems

I had bi-lateral LASIK performed on Thursday 27th February, by Dr Manek Patel at the Finchley Road, London branch. My prescription was -6.75 in my left eye and -8.25 in my right, and I had some astigmatism too. I am 35 years of age. My appointment was scheduled for 11am, I arrived in plenty of time, and was seen slightly early. The whole procedure took less than 20 mins, including the lasering itself, which took about 1 minute per eye. The surgery itself was completely painless, just some mild discomfort whilst my eyes were clamped open one by one, but I can live with that.I also found Dr Patel to be completely reassuring, informing me what was happening at all stages during the surgery. After surgery, I was given 2 paracetamols and was led to a waiting room, and 20 mins later I was seen by an optometrist to check my eyes, and inform me of how and when to take the 3 different types of drops you have to take. By midday I was in the car on my way home. At this stage I could already start to see things (motorway signs etc) - I was developing a headache at this time. Stopped to get some Solpadeine, which I took during the afternoon. As hour by hour unfolded, I could see my vision improving rapidly, which was a joy in itself. By 6pm any pain had completely gone, and I was happily watching tv - my eyes were only light-sensitive for about 4-5 hrs in total. I had my check up on Friday, and was told I have better than 20-20 vision (could read the line one up from the bottom). This is the best money I ever could have spent on myself, and I feel fortunate that with a high prescription, I now find myself with perfect sight. If anyone needs any more information from me, please dont hesitate to email me.

I had my Lasik treatment 28 February at the Birmingham Clinic, my Surgeon was John Hill, he explained every detail of the procedure, I was very reassured. He gave me an explanation about my two main concerns, 'dry eyes' and 'night vision. He explained to me that the dry eyes normally only effects patients who already have dry eyes, and the 'night vision' problem normally only effects patients with large pupils, 8mm and over, he measured mine at 5mm. I felt no pain during or after the surgery I could see straight away although my vision was blurred, the following morning my vision felt almost perfect. I returned to the clinic for the aftecare appointment the following day, I was told that my eyes were healing nicely and I had 20/20 vision. I have not experienced any pain at all and am glad that I went ahead with the treatment after all the bad publicity I had read in the press. I can recommend the lasik procedure, Optimax and John Hill, the surgeon. Thanks to the other patients who responded to my request for their experiences and information.

I too had lasik treatment at Birmingham by John Hill on 27 Feb 2003, as did my brother. My prescription was -6.00 and -7.00 and my brother was around -10. We both felt totally reassured by the confidence of John Hill and went ahead with the treatment. It went brilliantly and neither of us experienced any pain. I was reading number plates on the way back to our hotel just 30 mins after treatment. We are both amazed by the results-my brother was out playing in his band on 29 Feb which is quite remarkable. I just keep thinking I have my contact lenses in because it just doesn't seem possible that I can see unaided. Feel free to contact me if I can be of help to anyone that is considering treatment. p.s. Glad your treatment went well, Avril!

Left eye still much weeker and cant focus properly hwile looking at computer/reading and also watching the telly a week on after the lasik. I dont understand??? both eyes were -6.25 so why is one eye better then the other now? is 1 week after the op enough to know if this will get better or the op was not so good?

I had both eyes treated with Lasek at Finchley Road on the 19th February. I had -3.5 in my left eye and -1.25 in my right with lots of astigmatism in both. I called for an appointment and told that consultation and treatment would happen all on the same day, this was fine for me however and agreed. I didn't realise till later that this is optional - so if it’s not for you let them know you want it on separate days. The Optimax staff were quite friendly but didn't want to strike up any kind of relationship though and seemed to want me in and out without any fuss. I was told I had large pupils (8mm).I suspected this and was told this was fine though and they can compensate by lasering at 9mm. This takes an extra blast with the laser though - totalling four in each eye for me though... no problem! The procedure was completely painless and very quick (a couple of minutes for each eye), but it was quite uncomfortable as I knew exactly what they were doing to my eyes and you have no choice but to watch it. It’s also true that you can smell the burning! They put a patch over one eye and a clear plastic cover over the other so you can see a little. It wasn't much use for me though, I could only see a little. Like looking through water, but only briefly as the lights in reception forced me to close that eye after around 5mins. I took off the patches the next days but couldn't open my eyes because light hurt them. But I had no real pain until 24 hours later when I had quite substantial pain in both eyes like a heavy ache. I slept through most of it though and it stopped suddenly the next day after which I could open my eyes and see again. Since then my sight has gone from very blurry and light sensitive to very good and not so light sensitive in around ten days (buy sunglasses). My distance vision is almost the same as when I wore glasses, but reading computers and books is still awkward, especially in my left eye. I have to concentrate to focus on anything. I'm assured this long-sightedness will wear off though. I'm very happy with the results so far and expect my close up vision will get better soon too. Hope all this helps, if anyone wants more info on my experience please email me.

Have been treated with LASIK (eyes being -5/-6) on 31st of January. I wanted to go for LASEK as the optometrist had told me that I, with my prescription, was suitable for both and that the two eyes could be treated at the same day with LASEK too (one of my criteria). At the day of surgery however, my surgeon Mr Chatterjee, told me he would recommend LASIK because of less chance in developing haze. The first week after the op was fine- could see absolutely perfectly! The second week however, my vision started to deteriorate. I went back to the clinic as I started to get worried and seemingly I am shortsighted again (do not know my prescription but is far less than before). Still, cannot see that good and I am not even driver's standard any more. Very, very frustrating as I could see perfectly the whole first week. I have been told to come back in 4 weeks, to see if there have been any improvements due to fluctuation. If not, I probably need an enhancement treatment. Not what I expected, as this only happens in 2-3% of people and mainly in people with very high (i.e. -10) prescriptions. In the mean time I cannot really see clear, which ocassionly makes my eyes tired. At the moment I am thus not very happy, but if an enhancement treatment can solve this then I will be over the moon. If somebody has got any advice or similar experiences, would love to hear from you as I am a bit worried and rather disappointed.