Optimax

I have booked in to the Liverpool branch of Optimax for consultation on Saturday 18th January and treatment if I'm suitable on the same day, is this normal? I am absolutely terrified of the whole process since reading the consent form, all this talk of permanent blindness and am starting to wonder if I can live with my glasses. Another thing that worries me is that I am booked to have both eyes done on same day, is this advisable ?Will all questions be answered at the consultation? I would appreciate any comments good or bad. just one more thing, is there a sensation to want to rub your eyes in following days please email me at mik1morgan@hotmail.com

Incidentally, there is no shortage of people saying that given their high prescription only LASIK was suitable. The major prospective randomized trial, using 200 eyes from -6 to -15, with an average prescription of -9.5, could show no difference at thirty days between LASIK and PRK. Or rather a few of the LASIK patients were in serious trouble with flap problems, the PRK group could see slightly better uncorrected (although this was statistically insignificant) and the LASIK group had slightly better best corrected vision (although this was also statistically insignificant. Since that trial LASEK, the use of vitamin C before surgery and the use of mytomicin after surgery have all made surface treatment the choice, assuming that any treatment is a good idea. LASIK reduces the amount of aggravation for the companies because they can do both eyes at once and it results in more patients who recommend it to their friends. As many of you are doubtless aware the comparison between LASIK and PRK is actually frightening. If your cornea is 500 microns thick and your prescription is -7 then PRK with a 6mm zone means you lose 84 microns from the very centre of your pupil, reducing to 42 microns 1.5mm from the centre, and 3mm from the centre your cornea is full thickness and full strength. Two thirds of your cornea (roughly) is untouched. LASIK will shear the whole cornea down to 130-180 microns, and it will never be strong again. You will then on top of that (or rather underneath that) lose the same 84mm deep dish from the centre. This is the kind of thing you need to think about, not whether someone went to some particular place and presently likes the outcome. Smoking was thought by many people, including many doctors, to be an innocent practice for the first half of the twentieth century, with tarmac roads the chief suspect for the explosion of lung cancer. Be very cautious of testimonials. If you look at the Optimax literature they are very keen to retain the "old-fashioned" surface procedure, and tell you quite plainly that for most people the results will be the same, with "Epiflap/PRK", the simpler, safer and cheaper option. My only experience of Optimax staff was Dr Anwar in Glasgow, who not only said that he couldn't help me but recommended someone in a competitor who might be able to.

Follow on from note of 9 December. I've had three aftercare appointments since the operation (PRK having been -2.25 in both eyes). My right eye corrected much quicker than the left which I found disconcerting for a while but things have improved over time. I'm currently on steroid eye drops which seem to be doing the trick. I was able to drive after about 8 days but sometimes struggled to focus with one eye being stronger than the other. After about 3 weeks I was able to drive and do everything that I had hoped for without thinking twice about it. I think I expected a more immediate dramatic improvement and I did panic after about 2 weeks when I was still struggling and I started to regret having it done. I am now really pleased that I went through with it and if my left eye continues to improve and becomes as good as my right then I will be completely happy. My only words of caution are that people heal at different speeds and you may need to be patient - try not to panic if you don't get the results as quickly as some of the people who have sent in their comments to this site, and don't be afraid to seek some reassurance from the consultant who did the operation. I insisted on having a second opinion when things did not improve as quickly as I thought that they should and this made me feel much better.

Went back for my 1 month post op checkup last week and both my eyes are now zero- which is great considering I was -9 and -10 before the op. Yes the op is completly painless, it is uncomfortable knowing what is being done to your eyes and being able to see around you albeit blurred, but grin and bear it for 15mins or so and it's finished and your sight will be starting to improve as you sit up. Then just go home and sleep, put drops in as directed and watch your sight come to you (cheesy I know but it's true)!!! Easy as that- honestly it is, I wish I'd had it done years ago. Yes Dr Patel is great- very professional and confident and his results speak for themselves.

Have now found what was causing the blurred vision. Basically my eye has been over-corrected and I now have a left eye at +0.5. This is mighty strange as I have been short sighted for most of my life and to now be long sighted is weird. To be able to read properly, or view a computer screen I had to buy a cheap set of reading glasses. They have now given me a contact lens for my left eye at +0.5. So, now I still wear contacts just as before. Basically no further forward and the pocket a damn sight lighter. Just the other day I had an eMail from the current affairs editor of the BBC, who are doing some research on Laser eye treatment, and it's successes or otherwise, although I'm sure it's the others they are particularly interested in. Don't know if I'll contact them or not, don't really fancy being on the telly! So, this site really does work, keep it up.

I had Lasik treatment by Dr Patel at the Finchley Road branch on 7th January.He had been recommended to me by 2 people that i work with. My prescription was -3.5 in both eyes and id been wearing glasses for over 20 years. Throughout the whole operation he was continually talking and reassuring me, all the time letting me know what was happening and putting me at ease. It really did help. On the way home (by tube which was a slight mistake i now feel) i did feel slightly nauseous and found it a bit uncomfortable (but not painful) to open my eyes properly but after a few hours it got much better and by the evening it was amazing what i could now see without my glasses.Its now less than a week and its fantastic to be able to see properly without glasses. To anyone who is considering getting it done i would say i have just one regret, that i didnt get it done much sooner.

I have booked to have a consultation for Lasik Monday 13th January and treatment on the 16th at Finchley Road with Mr Patel. I have done a fair bit of research on the subject, it's clear the risks are there, however any comments or experiences would be appreciated before I go through with the surgery.

Had Lasik treatment on 12/12/02 at the Finchley Road Surgery with Dr.Patel my prescription was -1.5 & -1.75, I basically needed glasses for driving and T.V. I found the whole experience looking back a bit like going to the dentist, which was a touch disconcerting as they were about to Laser my eye's. However the reason's for me adding to this Web site are these two basic points: 1) Dr Patel was excellent, he continually calmed me down during the whole process. 2) He left me with 20/20 vision, I'm ecstatic.

Had PRK Epiflap in Croydon branch on 13th November. Was -2.75 and -2.5. Operation painless, although very disconcerting when the Epiflap is pushed aside! Day 1 felt like I had very bad flu, and very light sensitive. Took pain killers, so pain reduced to irritation more than anything. Also took sleep pills on first night but felt completely zonked next day so didn't take any more. Day 2 just light sensitive, vision pretty good although couldn't really look at anything for more than a few moments. Day 3 much better, able to go outside (with sun glasses), and watch TV. Stopped pain killers. Had bandage contacts out, eyesight excellent. After 1st week had check up, reading near to 20/20. No pain, no blurred vision, no halos or anything. Consultant seemed baffled and explained don't normally see such quick recovery! Had check up again on 31st Dec., can now read bottom row of chart with both eyes (one row better than 20/20). Eyesight as good as was with contacts. I realise this is a very good experience. I would recommend it but remember everyone is different, and recover in different ways.

-3.00 both eyes. Booked consultation and treatment for Thursday 19th Dec. Wouldn't recommend - suggest consultation first so you know exactly what treatment you're having on the day. As I'd decided to have both eyes PRK'd on 19th, but after discussing mono-vision option with surgeon (Mr Ayoubi) changed mind and only had one eye done. The actual treatment was very quick and painless - surgeon really nice - did not feel under any pressure to have the treatment on the day and talked me through the actual surgery. Expect to rest for the next 4/5 days - pain killers and sleeping tabs knocked me out. Started to see clearer after 7 days -drove after 10. Had aftercare appointment 31st Dec which I thought was pretty poor. I Expected to see the surgeon - but was told they're too busy to see aftercare patients! Took all of 10 mins for the optician to advise that I am +1.50 in treated eye - explains why I am finding it hard to read! Said this was normal and my vision should improve within 4 weeks. Have next appointment in 4 week's - watch this space!