Optimax

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.

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 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?

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.