Optimax

Why are Optimax cheaper? I think part of the reason is royalty payments for use of the lasers. I think I am right in saying Nidek is a one-off payment while some of the others is per use. Plus lots of costs are fixed costs (receptionists, rates, heating + lighting, laser technicians) so if you can increase your throughput you can dramatically reduce your costs. I think that's the economics of it.

From what I'm reading, it doesn't seem like many patients seem overly impressed, there seems to be near 20/20 but not perfect eyesight, as blurry night vision, halos etc seem to be a very common after-effect. Is anyone genuinely 100% happy with it? I spoke to a "sales consultant" from Optimax (phone) she booked me in for a consultation and said that I could they would also book me in for Epiflap too the same day. Elsewhere I've been advised not to have treatment on the same day as to be wary of this practice ... so if they are so established why are they "pressurising" customers oops I mean patients into same day treatment? I would however, opt for Epiflap over LASIK as it has been studied & used for a more acceptable period of time unlike the less painful LASIK. Also I do seem wary as to why Optimax are so much cheaper than other practices, where I welcome a more affordable charge, I still feel apprehensive of the zap 1 & get the 2nd eye for cheaper.. Would be interested in your thoughts.

25th January 2003 I was booked into Optimax, Bristol, for consultation and PRK Epiflap treatment - feeling very nervous. My prescription is -2.25(R) and -1.75(L) with astigmatism and I am aged 52, I currently manage with just glasses for short-sightedness. Even at this advanced age I am vain enough to not want to wear glasses but cannot get on with contact lenses! The Dr suggested the best course of treatment would be to treat the right (dominant) eye for short-sightedness and leave the left eye as is, to avoid the need for reading glasses (monovision) and this certainly sounds the best of both worlds! I mentioned that I had tried contact lenses to achieve the same result but without success, as the left eye was continually blurred at the outside. I was advised this was because the brain could not cope/objected to the opposing instructions. The Optimax Dr said this would not necessarily be the case with the PRK Epiflap treatment. I have waded through the 13 pages of patients comments and only come across 2 who have had the Môn vision treatment and then I don't know whether it was because of their age and not wishing to swap their short sighted glasses for reading glasses. I did not feel confident enough to have the treatment and any comments from other patients in this position would be extremely helpful in making my decision. Many thanks if you are able to respond.

Had my 1 week check up, after Bi Lat, Lasik, everything fine, read the eye chart bottom line, so 20/20 vision restored. check up did show left eye at 0.00, right at +0.25 but this is no problem, just slight over correction. Still think it's been the best decision I have ever made and best value for money ever spent.

I had my laser treatment at the Edinburgh clinic and am very happy with the result. I am amazed of the impact it has had on my life. To take the children to school with these rainy days and no glasses that steam up is without a doubt worth it. I was very impressed with the staff, I had done a lot of research and they took the time to explain everything to me. The staff were very helpful, took time to answer all my questions even my silly ones. I am so happy I made the decision to go ahead and have my laser eye treatment. I now look forward to swimming with my children, no hassle with glasses or worrying about losing a contact lens in the pool. I had no problems with waiting times, after being told I was suitable for LASIK I could not wait for my treatment time and was given a date 8 days later. That was a little disappointing but when I received a call four days later to tell me a sooner date was available seemingly someone had been for a consultation and unfortunately was not suitable poor sole, shock it was for the next day, I jumped at the chance of my treatment sooner and am so happy I did. Would recommend the treatment and the Advanced Laser Eye Clinic.

Treated with PRK on 21st December at the Optimax clinic in Manchester. My eyes were roughly -3 and -2. The surgery experience was ok overall but I am still unhappy with the results. I was told by the surgeon that bandage lenses were not needed, wrong!! I had to get a doctor out the night of the surgery to prescribe some proper pain killers. The tablets provided by Optimax were completely inadequate. 4 weeks later and I still do not have driving vision in either eye. Despite all the information available on PRK I still do not know if my eye sight will improve over time. Most people seem to be clear within two weeks. I have a second check-up next month and I pray I do not have to go through another round of surgery. Any comments on experiences of healing times appreciated.

I had Lasik Bi-Lat at Finchley Road, performed by Doctor Patel on Thursday 16th Jan. My prescription was -3.50 and -3.00, Today I'm seeing 20/20 what a result, I did allot of research on the subject before making a firm commitment to go ahead. all my concerns (of which I had many) were put to rest, the surgery was completely without pain, after about 3 hours my vision started to clear and I could see things that were only a blur before the procedure, I had some mild discomfort that evening. The following day clear vision, boring everyone I spoke to about the wonder of un-aided sight. Optimax, Dr Patel and a little of my time, has certainly changed my life. EXCELLENT!

Had PRK treatment on both eyes on January 10th. My prescription was -2.5 in both eyes. I did suffer allot of discomfort for the first 36 hours, I was almost blind for that time, and there was a lot of pain. Thankfully the pain killers did do a good gob. Within 2 hours I could see pretty good with 1 eye. 7 days later and my 1 eye was perfect and the other eye was the SAME as it was before I had the surgery. By now I was very worried...but thought I would wait for my after care in 3 days time. Woke up on day 8 and...well it was a miracle, I could see clearly in both eyes !! It all seems worth it now. The only downside to Optimax was the doctors seemed very un-sympathetic and did rush the consultation and after care. The thing to remember here is everyone heals differently, some people only take a day or two to have their perfect sight. It took me almost 9 days, so hang in there you guys and girls...try not to worry (easier said than done !!) Mail me any questions - glad to help

I think that people can make their own opinions about whether to go ahead with the surgery- whichever type. Yes I have had LASIK and in 10 or 20 years I may have problems with my eyes- but who knows whether it will of been induced by LASIK or just happened naturally- maybe through contact lens wearing, using sun beds or something else. I smoke but I don't stress every time I light up about shortening my life- live for the day! You also cannot compare stats from the US with here as they have had many disasters with laser eye surgery (i.e. cowboys doing the procedures) compared with the UK who have had minimal complications with any surgery. My optician couldn't recommend LASIK enough to me even though he was loosing my business he still gave me all the info about the procedure and told me that I was a good candidate. I don't regret having it done and am certainly enjoying being able to see without using contacts or glasses.

Everyone has opinions, there are always other possible causes (corneal ectasia could be caused by nearly anything), live for the day, there is a safe "UK way" to shear and ablate a soft structure half the thickness of a credit card - think it best to say nothing!