Optimax

For the past 40 years since I was 19 I have been short-sighted and always wore spectacles for distance vision. Over the years this myopic condition had slightly got worse, but it was relative. Where does long-sight finish and short-sight begin? At first I could watch television without glasses and only needed them for driving or outdoor pursuits, but gradually the ‘distance’ became shorter and shorter. Until recently I needed them all the time except for anything that was less than 3 feet away.

I have never used contact lenses only spectacles and I made enquiries about laser eye treatment. It proved to be expensive and at that time beyond my means, until talking to friends who all had laser eye surgery, and three of them were patients of Optimax.

I telephoned and made enquiries and received the booklet, and was surprised at the cost, which made it affordable for me. Pondering over a weekend I made the decision and booked a consultation, which was about 4 weeks in the future. I was informed that on the same day of the consultation a timeslot for the actual surgery had been reserved, subject to the consultation result and my agreement.

Time off was booked at work following the date and eventually it arrived. My wife drove me to the clinic and even though we were about 30 minutes early, I was immediately examined in the topography room in preparation for my consultation with the doctor. Again earlier than anticipated I met the doctor who examined the topography results gained earlier, I read the eye charts and was eventually viewing them through the mechanical spectacles which was my new ‘prescription’. I qualified for the Epi-Lasek treatment and I was given three options and a decision was needed as to which treatment I wanted – or none at all, if I decided not to go ahead. I could have both eyes under corrected, which would greatly improve my distant vision and still give me some long-sight for reading, or I could have Monovision. Only one eye is corrected for distance vision, whilst the other remains long-sighted for close-up work. The brain then compensates and a compromise is reached giving distance and also reading vision. The third option was to have both eyes fully corrected, but at the expense of having to wear reading glasses for close-up work. I chose the latter, and I was asked to return at the appointed time for the surgery.

I was escorted into the treatment room and asked to lay horizontal on to a bed platform. Anaesthetic drops were applied to both eyes and the bed was then swung sideways underneath the laser instrument where I was asked to stare into the coloured light. My right eye was treated first. At some stage a small clip was applied to keep my eyelid open but I cannot remember or feel it being connected. A transparent film appeared to be applied over my eye with slight pressure but no pain or discomfort was experienced. I then saw the epithelium being slowly peeled back and it was at this stage that I had to concentrate on to the light. The laser was switched on and I heard a clicking noise and also a ‘sparking’ sound and I could also detect a slight singeing odour. After what appeared to be a few seconds cold water was then dropped on my eye, the epithelium was folded back and a bandage contact lens was fitted. I was then asked to close my eye (the clip must have been removed by then, although I could not tell) and a compress was applied for a few seconds. The whole process was then repeated on my left eye.

I am not squeamish by nature and during the whole process I remained calm and confident and the whole treatment was completed in about 15 minutes! A nurse then took me into another room and gave me my medication pack and explained its use. The anaesthetic would wear off in about 30 minutes and I should be prepared to take the painkillers. She said that the next 48 hours would be uncomfortable and the best recovery would be aided by sleep, and included in the pack were two nights sleeping tablets. During the ride in the car home, all I wanted to do was keep my eyes closed so I did. I did not feel any pain only slight soreness, and I did not even bother with the painkillers. Once home I took my sleeping tablet and went to bed. The next morning the soreness has gone and I have experienced NO DISCOMFORT since! The ensuing few days I religiously applied my eye-drops as prescribed and wore a comfortable pair of sunglasses, more to protect my eyes from dust and foreign bodies rather than the sunlight.

My vision has improved immensely after all those years and within 1 week, both eyes had returned to 20/20 vision for distance viewing. I know that I must now wear reading glasses for close-up work but this is a small price to pay for my distance vision. It was a question of priorities – I had the treatment to improve my quality of leisure life as I enjoy country walking, gardening and photography. I can now look through a camera eyepiece or use binoculars without the hindrance of spectacles. To me these factors were more important than my working environment behind a desk, where I now accept wearing reading glasses. I do not regret my decision and would recommend Opimax to anyone – it is a painless, very quick procedure – and you do not miss anything under anaesthetic as you see everything that occurs!

Tuesday 8th March I went in for Epi Lasek surgery at the Finchley clinic in London. Although I felt there was always room for improvement with the admin side of things on the day of my consultation, my opinion was certainly changed on the day on my op. Betheena, (think thats how she spells her name) Julia (who made me feel at ease as she had her eyes done the previous week) and Dr Patel who looked after me superbly, were professional beyond the call of duty and I was so please I was in their hands. The op itself was painless but I cant emphasise enough the pain that kicks in once the anaesthetic wears off. It was nasty!
Still the next morning, after dosing myself up with their painkillers and sleeping pills I felt better next morning. Well a week down the line my left eye is perfect and the right eye is a bit behind but I am expecting that to improve over the next week or two. Its just a bit blurred but not so bad(please let me know if this has happened to you and if it will improve, just a bit worried) I have had the bandage lenses removed and will be having my weekly check on Friday so hopefully this time I can read the lines on the chart. Overall a good service and friendly staff and I would recommend. Those who have had Epi Lasek please let me know how your eyes are now 3 months down the line.

I had worn glasses for 45 years and suffered very bad astigmatism. I heard from a colleague about Optimax in Glasgow and visited firstly for information and advice. I found all of the staff to be very helpful, knowledgeable and above all honest. I was given all the information verbally and in written format and asked to go away, read the info and then decide what I wanted to do. I then booked a consultation which again met all my requirements, all my questions were answered fully and I chose to have Lasik treatment which was carried out in August 2004. I am delighted with the results and cannot believe what a difference it has made to my life. I would recommend Optimax to anyone considering laser eye treatment – they are totally professional, very understanding, and honest and have many years experience in this specialist field.

I had LASEK treatment at the Leeds Optimax 5 weeks ago, Dr. Salmuel performed the operation. I opted to have each eye done separately, with a 3 week gap between the operations.

I was nervous as hell and arrived at the surgery quite early. After I filled in a consent form I was told to take a seat where I waited for about 30 mins. I spoke to Dr. Salmuel before the operation and asked some questions about the procedure itself. Questions I should have asked during the consultation to be fair. After which I continued to wait…

My name was called out and I was asked to put some plastic things over my feet and a hair net on. I proceeded to the operating theatre where I laid on a bed and was placed under the laser.

Loads of drops went in my eyes and then a clamp applied to keep my eye open. The alcohol was applied and the top of my eye scraped to one side. After which my vision was blurry and could not really see much. The laser was switched on and it frightened the life out of me! I must have jumped a foot in the air. I then remained still and the laser fired in 4 segments, each of about 20 seconds. Once the laser had done the top of my eye was placed back and the bandage lens dropped in. More drops followed and an eye protector thing was tapped to my face.

I then returned to the waiting room where I was told to wait for 5 mins after which I was free to leave. I sat down for 5 mins, just about to leave and suddenly realised they had not given me my medication!! This was very quickly sorted out by the Optimax staff, but shouldn’t have happened in the first place. But hey everyone makes mistakes I then left the building and went home.

On the way home I was very sensitive to bright lights. I found placing a baseball cap over my face while in the car and just resting my eyes worked well. Once home I popped the pills they had given me and went to bed. This is where the pain starts as the anaesthetic wears off. I not going to lie to anybody considering LASEK, it bloody hurts! You will not want to do anything for the rest of the day. No TV, PC, DVD’s or X-Box, all you can do is lay down in a dark room. You will not want to open your eyes at all. I found having a radio on helped take my mind off the pain.

After 4-5 hours I put some of the antibiotic drops in by pulling my lower eye lid down. I continued to lay and then later popped some of the sleeping pills. I was then completely knocked out for about 10 hours…Sweet.

I woke in the morning and 90% of the pain had gone. It took me around 5 mins to open my eye. I put some more antibiotic drops in and then went down stairs. I found I could only open my eyes for around 30 mins at a time in the morning stretching to 2 hours by the end of the day. Still lots of music listening and laying around but in MUCH less pain.

And the rest they say is history! My vision became clear after about 10 days. My vision is better than 20/20 in my right eye now. The left eye was done three weeks later and was a similar experience to the above, but they remembered the drugs this time.

Overall my experience with Optimax was a good one. I would recommend them to a friend.

I used Optimax in Croydon over two years ago for my LASIK surgery. I had to have a retreatment in 3 months, but now have near perfect vision. The staff we all brilliant and I cannot fault anything. I did my research beforehand, so felt reasonably confident before going. Obviously it is a risky procedure and I had my doubts, but now that it is done I have no regrets. My husband has now had his eyes done at Optimax in Manchester, and so far is very happy. I only wish this treatment was available when I was 20 rather than 40! It would have made those years so much easier!!! I would recommend Optimax to anyone, but would always say to do your research on the net about the procedure, research your surgeon carefully and use sites like this to get opinions from others. It is amazing when you start asking friends and colleagues how many people have actually had this done! Go for it!!