Optimax

I had my consultation with DR Patel from the London Clinic a couple of weeks ago and I am due in tomorrow morning for the Lasik treatment (-6ish in both eyes). I have one comment. My consultation was on a day I was recovering from a mild cold, and my eyes were a little bit watery. I was not happy with the eye test as I could not give a proper reading (between the green/red circles on the chart) as my eyes kept watering and the glass kept hazing up on the machine. Also, I saw that she was unprofessional as she kept changing the machine and I wasn't even looking straight at the chart as the machine was pointing to the side of it. I was uncomfortable that the woman who did the checking was not being friendly enough and was actually pressurising me to keep trying. I am 100% sure that my reading was NOT properly done, and have insisted with Dr Patel for another eye test on the day of the treatment. He was very understanding and completely reassured me that I can get my eyes tested again on the day of treatment. Its a shame that the woman was not sympathetic and did not try to help me feel better when I simply could not see the chart properly. They should get more professional backup staff or at least a proper Dr to do the eye tests. Anyway, I will keep you posted after the treatment :)

Last posted 20th Feb I had my bandage contact lenses out on Saturday morning. Eyes were a bit sore for a couple of hours but soon settled down. I was not offered an opinion on how my eyes were doing (I guess I should have asked!). I'll ask when I go back on 2nd March. They seem OK except for a bit of ghosting in my left eye. I think you pretty much get what you pay for at Optimax. It is much cheaper than most other companies and gives you a no frills service. If you want pampering go elsewhere but if you just want the procedure with no fuss at a reasonable price I guess they are pretty good value.

I had my op yesterday afternoon with Dr Patel. I felt really bad yesterday,, but when I woke up today I felt marvellous. I could see with no glasses. My vision feels a wee bit strange. It feels as though I have my glasses on but they are not so clean and need a wipe. Anyway, I had my post check-up a couple of hours ago. My eyes were in both eyes -6.25. I asked for a quick eye check during my check-up and its now more or less 0 in my right eye and -0.75 in my left. I don't understand why my left is still quite high compared to my right. It is making me quite dizzy because its hard to focus when there is a difference of that size between left and right eyes. I hope my left eye becomes 0 too soon, but I don't know if this will happen. I will be grateful to hear from people in a similar situation... Maybe I should stop worrying and simply wait it out, as 1 day after the op might not be enough time to see, but because my right eye is now 0, I sort of expected my left to be good too.

Just to add a couple of comments regarding my lasik with Dr Patel, its now been 3 days, and my right eye is perfect (was -6) and my left is still teh same as it was after the op (about -0.75/-1). I find it very difficult to focus on my computer screen as my left eye seems to ruin my vision when i look at things with both eyes. I would love to hear from others who had one eye perfected but the other not so good, and would like to know if it became better within time. Its such a shame, because the whole point is ruined as i saw better WITH glasses. Especially close up reading and computer work (im only 27 years old so close range should not be a problem). Its because of one eye not being as sharp. Will it get better, even though its been the same since the op?

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?

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

There seems to be a "Big" problem with mass confusion amongst many of us who have undergone surgery and now are unable to focus on close up work. (Today for example I phoned the Leeds clinic, instead of the Liverpool) Do!! Purely because I am struggling to read small print. I feel this "issue" has not been/is not being explained or indeed addressed properly to many, leaving a lot of people feeling very scared, and its a big shame so many people are left worried and confused about how their short sight vision should or indeed can improve? We need to start getting in touch with people on the board who have had this treatment done months ago, and find out what we can expect the long term prognosis is going to be. And what they would be doing if they were us at this time.

Just to add a note to Karen's C posting. I kept getting different reports from different people at Optimax saying that it can stabilise between a week and between 6 months. It seems that they all have mixed views. p.s I'm not a she :) he he he

Hi Doron - Sorry about the gender mistake!! I popped into the Eye Clinic this morning and they said that it takes weeks for the prescription to settle down. Hope this gives you some encouragement. Good Luck.