Optimax

I had the intralase proceedure using the Femtosecond Laser at Optimax Birmingham on 2/5/06. My Surgeon was Andre Oberholster. My right eye was -2.00 and left -2.75 with astigmatism. I could not see to put nail polish on my toenails without glasses. I booked my appointment via ebay and got a good discount. During my consultation I decided to upgrade and have the intralase proceedure which uses a laser instead of a blade to produce the flap. I found the proceedure itself totally pain free and very fast. There is a smell for about a second or two but I thought it was exactly like the smell when a tooth is being drilled at the dentist. My friend drove me home and I kept my eyes closed for most of the journey. I was quite tired after the proceedure and sat quietly all evening listening to music with my lovely eye shields taped to my face. Although I could read 20/20 the next day on the eye chart I did not get instant clear vision I was blurry for quite a few days. I did feel worried but it is a normal part of the healing proceedure. I have not had starbursts or any bad halo effects (I had holoes before I had intralasik) and I have no problems with dim lighting. I still have a small amount of glare/haze (eg around objects in a window ledge or white script on a black background on the computer)but this is improving and does not cause me any problems. Unfortunately I did have some side effects from the steroid drops which gave me headaches and made me feel very nauseous. I found that the aftercare from Optimax is excellent. I telephoned to say I felt unwell, I was expecting someone to speak to me on the phone but was told to visit the clinic and they would see me straight away. The Optomotrist fully examined my eyes and explained about the side effects I was experiencing and I immediately felt re-assured. The drops do not have to be used for very long and the side effects ended when the drops stopped. Although I did not wake up the next morning with perfect vision my eyesight has continued to improve day by day and I am now just over 3 weeks post surgery and am very pleased with my eyesight and it is still improving! Driving is brilliant and I feel like I can see for miles over the countryside. I knew I would have to wear reading glasses and have enjoyed choosing modern funky frames at little cost (my glasses were £250 minimum a time and I was going into bi-focals). I have had a little bit of dry eye which is to be expected but have found that Systane drops (I got mine from the internet) are excellent. I dont need to use them so often and I dont get any residue on my eyelashes. I can now wear my eye make and look normal! I was expecting bright sunshine to bother me but I have not had any real problems. I wore sunglasses outside for a fortnight to protect my eyes but I can see fine without them and only need them if the sun is really bright(as I did before the surgery). I would recommend Optimax Birmingham. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I will post again after my next aftercare appointment. Best wishes, Ann

I HAD THE EPI LASEK PROCEDURE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT HAVING LASER SURGERY WAS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I HAVE DONE. I AM ONLY 24 NOW SO I CAN HOPEFULLY ENJOY HAVING NO GLASSES FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I WASNT REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE PROCEDURE, MORE EXCITED. I WAS AWARE OF ALL THE POSSIBLE THINGS THAT MAY GO WRONG AND HAD SPOKEN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAD THE PROCEDURE IN THE PAST. THE PROCEDURE WAS SO QUICK AND THE ONLY THING I WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT AT THAT TIME WAS WALKING OUT OF THE BRISTOL CLINIC WITH THE PLASTIC LENSES OVER THE MY EYES! NO ONE WARNED ABOUT THEM.. BUT THANKFULLY, I THINK PEOPLE IN BRISTOL ARE USED TO IT BY NOW. I DID HAVE PAIN IN ONE EYE ON THE SIXTH DAY AFTER THE LENSES CAME OUT BUT AFTER THAT IT WAS JUST BEING PATIENT. I WAS IN NO RUSH AND KNEW IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TIME TO HEAL. I JUST FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO ME VERY CAREFULLY AND TOOK THE OMEGA 3 VITAMINS I WAS ADVISED WOULD HELP THE HEALING AND A YEAR LATER I HAVENT LOOKED BACK! SO GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY TO ANYONE LOOKING TO HAVE IT DONE!

I had epi laser at Birmingham in January. Cost wise I paid £830 for both eyes and nothing for the consultation because I work for the police. Always ask if you can get a discount and quote every organisation you belong to!

The actual operation took 20, I repeat twenty minutes from leaving the reception to getting back!! I couldnt believe how easy it was.

I experienced a lot of pain for two days but then pretty much nothing since then. I found it excruciatingly boring laying in a dark room listening to the radio for two days but its worth it, dont strain yourself trying to live normally. Go to bed and stay there with your eyes closed!

I occasionally had sore eyes and had to take one day off work because, as they explained, sometimes the eyelid sticks to the eye tearing off some cells. Ouch. However it was only for a couple of hours and keep using the eye drops for months afterwards.

Now my vision is as good as it was with glasses and it may even get better. I read a lot and use computer screens all day and I have not experienced any problems with bluring or strain.

I would recommend taking at least 10-14 days off work after the operation. I took 7 days off and needed more to feel completely comfortable.

I cannot stress how much it changes your life! Decent sunglasses, no more tangled clothing and walking into hot/cold areas doesnt leave you fogged up!

Its now one year since my surgery at Optimax Newcastle. I was worried as I had dry eye, but now my eyes dont even need drops for this.

Its the best thing I could have done, and should have done it sooner.

It has now been 6 months since my Lasik Op at Southampton with Dr Ayoubi, and I am very pleased with the results. My eyesight used to be -6.5 and -7.0 with astigmatism. I have just had a post check-up and my eyesight is now 0.0 and -0.25, this is a further improvement from a test in January when it was -0.25 and -0.5. Dr Ayoubi says there is still room for improvement! I would recommend this clinic to anyone, and Dr Ayoubi who is just lovely! The reception staff have gone out of their way to accommodate me into their appointment schedule as I live in Germany, and even fit me in when I have been late! This was the best decision I have ever made. Thank you to everyone, especially Dr Ayoubi, at the Southampton Optimax Clinic.