Optimax

I had both of my eyes done on 12th December 2002 (PRK Epiflap) it cost £990 (Newcastle upon Tyne) I couldn't open my eyes for the 1st 3-5 days and being blind is not very nice at all. The next 8-10 days I went through a lot of changes e.g., blurred vision, double vision and felt very disorientated. I am now on day 18 and it's much much better now. I still feel very weird without glasses (I've worn glasses for 14 years and I still go to push them up my nose and they are not there). I can see clearly now, although not perfectly yet. All I can say is, the first 15 days are absolute hell, but I think it's worth it. Good luck & go for it.

LASEK? I have just found out I qualify for LASEK which is slightly cheaper than LASIK? I know the recovery period is a lot faster for LASIK over PRK but what about LASEK - does it take as long to recover as PRK - anyone who has had LASEK done - I would greatly appreciate your comments. Thanks

I had PRK Epiflap on both eyes on 4th December, started off being -2.00® & -2.25(L), found that I couldn't even open my eyes for 2.5 days afterwards due to being so sensitive to Light, this did improve. Have since been back for my first check-up on the 13th December, my prescription is now +1.50(L) & +2.00(R) didn't expect to have ended up so long sighted, had to get temporary glasses for driving and reading!! Would appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experience. Also how long were other people long sighted for afterwards?

1995 left eye done in Bristol. Excellent. Dec 2001. Right eye done by Dr Patel in Finchley Road, London. Disaster ! Was -0.75 before, now +1.00 !!!! I now have to return to the UK for a repeat op. incurring flight costs, loss of holiday (as had intended going to Italy) + it means that my 2 week holiday (when I had it done) was a complete waste as the recovery period ruined it. Also, I now wear glasses for the first time since 1995 !!! I have real problems judging distances as the other eye is -0.25. I have accidentally bumped into the back of a few cars as a result of impaired distance judgment. Their answer was "it says in the agreement that we couldn't guarantee results" I agree to a certain extent. I would expect to be close to ZERO i.e. +/- 0.25 (after all, they do use a Laser!), but to go from -0.75 to +1.00 is taking the p**s!! - I will contact the national health standard on telephone 01823345993. NOT VERY HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! c.

Had my LASIK treatment in Glasgow on Saturday 14th December . I think I have been one of the lucky ones, I have had no pain, dryness, itching, scratching etc. My eyes were only -0.5 which is hardly anything but wearing glasses and contacts constantly annoyed me. Staff were very reassuring and everything was done professionally. No problems with timekeeping whatsoever on any of my visits. Highly recommended.

I had PRK in both eyes 3 weeks ago, still a bit blurry in the right eye-is this normal-will it go? apart from this everything was brilliant and painless, would recommend it to anyone-prescription was -3.50 in both eyes! would appreciate any feed-back on the time scale of healing

Had PRK on 4th December in Manchester, both eyes at same time as consultant advised it would be no problem (-2.25 in both eyes). Actually found operation fairly easy, despite last minute nerves. Fairly helpless for first 2 days spending most of it in bed. Started to notice improvement on day 3 but left eye not healing as quick as right. Now on day 5 and still struggling - certainly could not drive and I am finding it hard to write this mail. Starting to regret having PRK and wishing for the more immediate benefit of LASIK. Maybe I'm too impatient but I'd hoped for more dramatic effects than this. Anyway, I'm due for my first aftercare appointment in 2 days and will see what the consultant has to say. Will post a note after the appointment.

I had my LASIK op on 19th October at the Aberdeen clinic, with the surgeon being Anupam Chatterjee. I am now almost 7 weeks post op, so I feel it is a good point to give a balanced view. My initial consultation in September with Leanne was very detailed and at that point I had not carried out much research, so the guidance at that stage was excellent. I had some initial concerns about the surgeon, due to some comments on areas of this website, but found him to be efficient but not over detailed. The actual operation was fairly straightforward, however at this point I would like to state two specific areas which affected my own situation. Firstly I had planned to take a week off post op which was a wise move as I could not have worked with a computer 24 hrs after the op. Secondly I did not have the dramatic feeling the next day of perfect vision, it was better, but I knew it was not as good as with my contact lenses or glasses. The 24hr post op examination confirmed my concerns, both eyes were swollen and I was not at driving standard. This came as a bit of a shock and after frantically checking this website I realised this did not seem to be that common. I then decided to be extra diligent with the drop application and as the week went by I knew my sight was improving. However due to a personnel shortage the clinic cancelled my 1st week check, which was a concern to me due to the fact that I was using one set of drops two hourly and the guidance notes specifically stated that usage should be no longer than a week. Eventually I managed to speak to an Optometrist from the Edinburgh clinic who advised me to decrease the usage straight away. I ended up with my 1st week appointment being 13 days post op, at which my vision quality was improving. I had my most recent check-up yesterday and my vision is good, although my eyes can be a little irritable at the end of the day. The Aberdeen clinic seems to very busy, I recommended a work colleague, who had her op about a month ago, so it is nice to compare notes. However some money off vouchers for recommendations arrived yesterday, so I hope the clinic accepts mine post op!!!! for my recommendation. The staff in the clinic are very nice and seem to be coping with the newness of this clinic.

Anyone who has seen my previous 2 comments regarding PRK will see my rating has gone down! I went back to Liverpool branch for a check up on 19th November. The lady optician I saw told me my left eye was fine (which it is) but the blurred vision in my right eye was due to the surface of my eye being a bit rough, and I should stop taking all eye drops and just use artificial tears. About 10 days later the consultant phoned me (bit worrying) to ask what eye drops I was on. I told him about the appointment on the 19th and as advised, I had stopped taking eye drops. He asked to see me ASAP. I went in first thing the next morning and he seemed quite relieved after he did an eye test. Apparently the lady I saw on the 19th had put totally the wrong information on my computer records and should NOT have advised me to stop using the eye drops, they are to help with the scarring that is causing my blurred vision in my right eye. The consultant told me, if the scarring had been worse, NOT taking the eye drops for 10 days would have caused a problem, but since my scarring wasn't THAT bad, it should be ok. WELL THANKS A LOT!!!! I was a bit dumbfounded while there, being told all this was a shock. Only after I left did I think, "should this woman be working??" I am writing to them for an explanation. On a lighter note, (I think we need one here) my left eye is doing great!

Was supposed to have my eyes lasered (LASEK treatment) at the Edinburgh clinic (dr. Saboor?) a few weeks ago, but got a phone call from them to cancel it, two nights before (which is a bit late). Seemingly, my eyes haven't stabilized enough, due to wearing hard, gas permeable contact lenses for 7 years. Their advice was to wear my glasses (definitely no contacts!) for another 2 months, after which there is a (big) chance my eyes will be stabilized enough. So: fingers crossed!!! Although this was a big disappointment for me (had been wearing my glasses for nearly 5 weeks as they recommend not to wear your contacts 4 weeks prior to treatment), I am happy they are honest as there is not really a point in having treatment done at this moment. Hope the situation changes so that in 2 months time I can be treated. Would like to hear about any similar experiences, and also about Dr. Saboor.