Optimax

I had lasik 4 days ago at the Ipswich Optimax. My vision was great straight afterwards and up to now no changes! I do have unsightly red spots on the whites of my eyes, but know that these will diminish. I also feel like I've had contact lenses in too long when my eyes get tired – but it's not even a week after my op, so I know I should still rest my eyes! Going back to work tomorrow, and am looking forward to seeing whether people realise I don't wear glasses any more!

I had epi lasek on the 24th Feb 05. I was -4.25 and -4.00 with .75 astigmatism in one eye. At the 4 week point I had a check up (in the afternoon) and both eyes were -.75 and if I squinted I was just within the driving limit. I also had clouding and the Dr perscribed steroid eyedrops. What I cannot understand is; after a good nights sleep in the morning my vision appears to be 20/20, and sharp as a button, but this quickly deteriorates (within an hour) to barely driving standard. I expected this to improve over time and with the eye drops. It is now coming up to 7 weeks post op point, and I have seen no real improvement. I understand that it takes the eyes nearly six months to settle, but I am now becoming quite concerned at the lack of improvement. Moreover, why is my vision so clear first thing in the morning? I am due to see the optician this Friday but can honestly say that there has been little if any improvement and I am not hopeful. Has anyone had similar problems or will I have to go under the laser again!

Just a follow up to say that I had an aftercare appointment on the 31st March & both eyes are now 20/20! It's fantastic, although sight is better on some days than others. I have learned that this is not unusual & should settle in a short while. Again, definitely the best money I have spent without a doubt!

Had Epi-Lasek at Birmingham clinic on 14th February 2005 (Dr Islam). Booked in at 11:15, had lots of tests and consultation with Dr Islam. I was told that surgery would take place at approx. 2pm that day. The surgery itself was painless, but I must say the weirdest experience of my life!, most bizzare the way the surface of the eye is 'pushed' to one side and to hear the laser 'crackle'!! – after the first eye, I tried not to smell the second eye! After the procedure, a clear bandage contact lense was placed on eye. I was given a 'goodie bag' with contained antibiotic eye drops, sleeping tablets and strong pain killers and was told by Dr Islam that the pain should kick in within the hour and suggested that I went home to bed. Sure enough about an hour later as we returned home, my eyes just clamped shut and I went to bed. That night I found it hard to open my eyes for a second before they shut tight. The pain was like rubbing your eyes if you had been peeling onions! and your eyes and nose just water constantly, I only had to sit up out of bed and my knees were wet – nice! After more painkillers and a sleeping tablet I woke up the next morning unable to look at any bright lights. My eyes really puffed up on day 2 but went down again a couple of days later. My vision was like looking through somebody elses prescription, to which I was disappointed with as I naively thought that I would be able to see straight away! After the 2nd day my left eye was clearing up nicely and the vision returning but the right eye was terrible! On the Thursday I went back to the Birmingham clinic to have the bandage contact lenses removed (pain free)and I was informed that my left eye was nearly up to driving standard. However, with my dodgy right eye I didn't feel safe to drive at all. After two weeks, not much improvement in the right eye and had my follow up appointment again at the clinic. I was informed that my left eye was better than 20/20 whilst I could only read the very top line of the sight chart with my right eye, but was assured that this was normal and not to be too concerned. Still no improvement and at one stage I really wished that I'd not had the treatment, but for only one second! I was back at work (mainly PC based) 2 weeks after the operation and struggled both with driving and focusing on monitor of PC which resulted in terrible eye strain and headaches. However I started to realise a slight improvement in my right eye and eventually it began to 'catch up' the left eye! – YIPPEE!!
5 weeks after and my eyes are brilliant and absolutely NO REGRETS in having it done! I'm due to go back to the clinic for a follow up appointment at the end of April which I'm sure that my eyesight will be 20/20 in the right eye and slightly better than in the left. My advice to anybody is to do lots of research, this website was invaluable to me, however I struggled to find many people who had one eye better than the other which worried me at the time, but if anybody is worried, please don't, it will get better but you just have to be patient. When it gets as good as the other eye it is fantastic! The staff at Birmingham are great and the surgeons are so professional. I actually bought my new eyes from e-bay for half price, what a bargain! I have recommended Optimax to everybody who I've talked to, from friends and family to the check-out lady in the Supermarket!

Had Bi-lateral Epi Lasek on Thursday 17th at Southampton, performed by Dr Ayoubi. Arrived at Optimax 10 mins early for my appointment & was seen immediately for my topography. Was slightly late going in for my consultation but again, no problems (was very worried beforehand that I would be turned down at the last minute). Popped out to West Quay for some lunch & arrived back at 1.50 for treatment. I won't go into detail about the procedure as it's already been done many times in this forum. Anyway, Dr Ayoubi explained everything in detail as he was doing it (including counting down to the laser starting.. it's like something out of James Bond!). I wasn't in the treatment room for more than 10 mins! All went smoothly & I was shown out to the waiting room to make my aftercare appointment. In hindsight, my Stevie Wonder impression probably wasn't a good idea as I entered the waiting room :) . On the way home, sure enough, the anaesthetic drops wore off & my eyes & nose started streaming… The pain really kicked in after an hour & I couldn't open my eyes for the rest of the day. I felt like someone had scratched my eyes with their fingernails. Not nice. The worst of the pain lasted for about 5 hours, but I didn't leave the bedroom for the rest of the day. Really didn't feel like eating either so the KFC earlier in the day was a good idea. Friday was odd. Like someone had smeared vaseline over my eyes. Eyes were very light sensitive all day, but ventured out in the afternoon complete with sunglasses & cap with wife to meet my son from school. Upon leaving school got hit full in the face by a football! Sods law i suppose… No damage done thankfully. Attended first aftercare appointment on Saturday (48 hours later) to have the bandage lenses out. Dr ayoubi informed me that my left eye is already driving standard! Right eye is lagging however, & even today, 4 days later is very blurry. I'm not too worried as I've heard that this is not unusual & will have to be patient I guess. Overall, I'm extremely impressed so far & the pain after the treatment on Thursday is an extremely small price to pay for not having to wear contacts or glasses any more & is easily the best £700 I have ever spent. For some reason I still keep my glasses beside my bed… I have no idea why. Will post follow ups as & when there is any improvement. Feel free to e-mail me any questions.

Gary