Optimax

Well I have now received my epi-lasik treatment at the Glasgow Optimax clinic and I can see even better now, than when I wore my glasses and that's 18 days on since the procedure and I was about minus 3.50 in each eye. I was treated by Doctor Anwar who speaks to you and reassures you through the whole procedure. On the day, I wasn't nervous until I was called into the treatment room. I was asked to wear a surgical cap to keep my hair off my eyes and then went into the room to sign the last of the consent forms. I then laid down on a bed, which was pushed under the laser. The worst bit about the procedure was having the eyelids kept open with a kind of clip, as your natural reaction is to close your eyelids. You are aware of what is going on througout the procedure, but once the eyedrops are placed in your eyes you don't feel a thing. You are aware of having something wiped over your eye. You have to stare at a red light, which turns out to be the actual laser, and keep very still. By this stage I was quite anxious and did keep rigidly still but Doctor Anwar keeps hold of your head and the laser would stop and reset if you did move your head or eye. You are very aware of the staff counting the 45 seconds or so when the laser is on and you do smell something similar to burning hair, I tried to hold my breath but it didn't work. Once one eye was treated, this was taped closed and a bandage put over it and then the same procedure on the next eye. I was a bit more scared at this stage as you know what to expect even though it's not sore it's daunting. Once this eye was finished I had a clear plastic shield taped to this eye so I could still see a bit. I was quite shaky once the procedure had finished, probably just tension and nerves. I was taken out of the treatment room into a smaller room and given a glass of water. Then went back to the reception area and asked to wait until I felt ok to walk out. I was given some ibuprofen to take while in the clinic and other medication to take home. I was guided and then driven home by my husband – which is imperative, as my vision blurred completely after about half an hour and my eye naturally closed over. You do not want any light in your eyes, so I took a hooded top and a towel and placed those over my head until I got home. All I wanted to do was sit alone in my bedroom in the dark – forget about watching tv for at least 2 days. The sedatives don't help you sleep so I suggest taking herbal sleeping tablets instead and take paracetemol on top of the ibuprofen, as you get a severe stinging sensation and my eyes constantly steamed water for 2 days, which also blocked my nose. My eye lids closed up completely due to tears streaming, so I needed help finding my toothbrush etc for 2 days. The plastic shield and bandage were removed 24 hours after treatment and this is when you are meant to start putting antibacterial drops in your eyes, which was almost impossible until day 3 as I couldn't open my eyelids. I lost my appetite for 3 days and wanted to sleep a lot. My eyes after day 3 looked ok and a little bloodshot and my eyelids seemed to close more than normal. I was only able to go outside 6 days after and wore dark glasses. I even wore dark glasses in the shower and a shampoo shield I got off a baby website to keep the shampoo off my face when showering, for about 3 days. After 3 days I could see quite clearly in the house, but not very sharply outside, but the end of the 2nd week my vision outside has picked up and I've been for my first check up and my vision is 2 lines better than driving standard on the eye test chart. All in all I'm very pleased with the results, the procedure was ok a bit unpleasant but ok, the first 3 days of recovery are pretty hellish but you soon get over it when you can open your eyelids again and go back to normality without specs or contacts. Oh and I also had 2 weeks off work, due to the Christmas holidays which helped, as I was sure I could not have worked in front of a computer screen during the 1st week of recovery.

GO FOR IT !! Lasik – had consultation last thursday at Leicester then booked in for lasik the following thursday at leicester – quoted price off ebay which they price matched, met the surgeon – Dr Andre Olberholster – very professional and honest, he did my treatment i was so nervous on the day but it didnt hurt at all i nearly didnt go through with it but im over the moon i did and would definatley do it all again you come out thinking what was i so worried about – it hurt more taking the selotape off the plastic sheilds that were stuck to my face. I did smell burining but just breathed through my nose and a nurse held my hand all the way though i was so overwhelmed afterwards i wanted to cry i didnt have any discomfort or pain afterwards and am getting on fine i can see and am very happy with the results the flaps are healing nicely and im due back next week so will post more then

I chose the LASEK eye laser surgery option. This was the cheaper of the 2 different operations. However before I had the operation I had a prescription of -3.50 dioptres in one eye and -3.00 dioptres in the other, so I was quite short sighted. On the day of the operation everything was fully explained to me by the surgeon including how long the procedure would take and also all of the benefits of having the surgery. Now after the surgery which took a total of 15 minutes to complete, I can see as clear as a whistle and my vision is back to 20/20. This is the best £1000.00 I have ever spent. I would recommend OPTIMAX to anyone who is considering having treatment. I know you may think the price is expensive, but trust me it is well worth it.
Brian David Robinson
Swanage, Dorset

I had Epi-lasik on 4 Nov 2005 at Croydon with Dr Hoe. He was very nice and made me feel relaxed. The staff were lovely and held my hand during the procedure. Shame I cant say the same about the reception staff. My eyes were -4.75 & -5.00.

It was quite uncomfortable having it done not nice at all but not painful. It felt alot longer than 15 mins, but then when you counting it always does. Its such a strange feeling when your having it done because they put these drops in your eyes so its all blurry like your under water, so you never can focus on what he is doing. It was no where near as bad as I expected. It goes really blurry when they take the flap off your eye. The laser made me jump as it was quite loud. It really smells when they are lasering the eye like burning rubber, I had to breathe out of my mouth because it was making me feel a bit sick, but this doesnt last for long. The clamp that they use to hold your eye open is a bit ucomfortable but you soon forget about it when they start the laser!

Straight after it was a bit blurry but I could see. Went home – really light sensitive had to stay in a dark room and couldnt really open my eyes. Had pain in the left eye but only discomft in the right. Took pain killers as soon as I got in the car but these didnt seem to work. Then took two sleeping pills which were provided but these didnt work either. I wasnt in terrible pain, but it was enough to keep me awake for most of the night.

When I woke the following morning had no pain at all, only slight discomfort in left eye but this went as the swelling went down during the day. My right eye didnt hurt at all, it was like I didnt have anything done to it really, only slightly red! My left eye was still really blurry when I had my bandage lenses out a few days later and right eye really good.

Just had first check up on the 18 Nov and left eye still really blurry. Right eye healing well. Have been told not to worry about my blurry eye just taking its time with healing. I can feel both getting a little clearer everyday. more so the right than the left, not really disapointed yet got another appointment in two weeks so will update this after.

Even though my eye sight in my left is still not perfect im not really worried as they will do a second op if it doesnt work. Im only 21 so I feel its worth all of this for good eye sight till im older, no glasses no contact lenses – bliss! Im am also the biggest baby when it comes to things like dentist etc. so if your worried dont be. The first time I went in I ran out crying! And the day I had it done I started crying when I walked in there, but there is nothing to worry about its not as bad as I imagined. Will post again soon to tell you about my blurry eye!

I had both my eyes treated at the Glasgow clinic (can't remember the surgeons name, sorry). The treatment was very fast, with mild discomfort. I experienced very little pain post-treatment and apart from the antibiotic drops did not require any further 'relief' drops. My sight improvement was very impressive and very quick [I was 6/4 in both eyes, unaided, after 3 weeks]. I am now pursuing a career in the police force. I would recommend LASIK treatment to anybody [my father has now had his eyes treated as a result].