Optimax

Lasik – My story – i arrived at 9.30am Monday for 10am surgery, however Mr Pael was slightly late so I was finally seen at 10.20am. The process was that I was taken into the reception area of the theatre, where I had a fancy pair of over booties and a rather dashing plastic hat put on. Fromthere I was led into the theatre where Mr Patel greeted me, and asked me to lay down on the bed, he roughly explained the process and then proceded to clean my eyes. Following this he put numerous drops into both eyes so as to numb them. He covered my right eye first and put the instrument on the left eye to cut the flap. he had told me previously that I would need the laser applied for 61 secs for the left eye and 64 for the right. I thought people only needed 10 or 15 secs. My eyes were approx -3.50 each. I was told to stare at the red light on the laser, breath deeply and that there would be a clicking noise when it was working, he also said that there would be a slight smell, horrible flesh burning smell more like. Anyway that eye was done and he did the next exactly the same, except I felt a real sharp dagger like pain when he put the flap cutting device onto my eye.
once complete he said all had gone well and with a smile said goodbye. i was taken back into the reception room given some tablets and my aftercare pack. I was then asked to wait out side for a while and then I would be called in to see an optomorist. My eyes began to sting loads when I sat there waiting, and try as I might my vision was very blured, after about 20 mins, my vision very slowly started to focus, but nothing spectacular, I was called in to the opticians room where I was given the once over and told to report back in a week. Going home everything seemed so bright, I could not keep my eyes open for more than a minute or two at a time, when I got back to my car which was parked at Stanmore, I got my dad to put the first lot of eye drops in, if they were stinging before they stung like buggery now (not that I know what that feels like!!), anyway I was glad to get home and just spent the rest of the day in a darkish room relaxing. By the evening I could see a lot better, although by no means perfectly, it was like looking through skimmed milk, but I could read the programme channels and descriptions on Sky, so things were looking up. I slept roughly with the eye shields on and woke early, which didnt matter as I had to go back to the clinic to have my 1st aftercare appointment. My eyes were not stinging anymore and I felt kinda normal, in a surreal sort of way, but as per the night before my vision was still cloudy, and definately not to even driving test standard. Driving down I definately noticed that I could read things that I previously could not, but after hearing reports of immediate 20/20 vision from others, I was a little concerned. I was seen early by the optician, but found her very remote and not really that helpful in reassuring me that things would get better, she checked my flaps and they were fine, and asked me what I could see on the eye test chart, I could read down to driving test standard but it was a bit out of focus, and I still had the cloudy vision. She didnt explain anymore about the drops, which I was told she would, and after 5 mins I was sent home. I tried driving home but had to stop and let my dad drive as I was not focusing right. By late evening my eyes were improving little by lttle, but no huge advances, so I went to bed. Today i returned to work including a long drive to Cheshunt from Peterborough, I now know what they meant by the halo effect around lights etc, I kept trying to read number plates, some I could black on white, some I couldnt black on yellow, but not too bad. So here I am now 48 hours on, still cloudy, especially after the pink bottle, I am improving I think, but I just feel that I need a giant leap forward over the next few days, and hopefully things will become much more focused and less milky.
Was it all worth it – A big yes, and 5 stars next week if my vision is where I want it to be.

Hi all, this is my experience with Optimax (LONG!) :

I “was” shortsighted. Approx -5 in each eye with about -3.25 astigmatism which is very high. I first contacted Optimax about 7 yrs ago but was advised at the consultation not to proceed as the laser technology at the time wasn’t ideally suitable for treating my level of astigmatism.

So, I contacted Optimax again in February this year (2003). At the consultation I was informed that things had changed considerably and that achieving 20/20 vision after treatment was now in the 90-95% range rather than 60% before (1996).

So I booked up for the treatment on 24th Feb. Because my cornea is on the thin side I was advised that Lasek (Epiflap) was the only option. Also I was advised to have my non-dominant eye treated first. My consultation was with Dr Almasri who was very polite and knowledgeable. I wasn’t pressured at any time and he answered all my questions.

So, 24th Feb arrived. I was a little nervous as my appointment was 8.40 Monday morning in Finchley and the drive down was hell (as usual). Upon arrival I had to complete the consent form etc. I was offered a Valium (which I took!) and about 10’ish was called in for treatment. You first enter a side room to the main operating room. I was given anaesthetic eye drops and asked to put on a cap and plastic bags over my shoes. Then I was led in to the treatment room and asked to lie down on the table. My head was positioned under the laser. I could see flashing red lights above. First a gauze was placed over the non-treated eye and then some extra gauze around the treated eye (to catch all the drops!). Some more eyedrops were adminstered and Dr Almasri (the same doctor performs the treatment as the one in your consultation) placed a clamp over the eye to keep the eyelids open. This is not nearly as bad as I imagined it would be and in fact was rather comfortable almost immediately. Next an instrument which I can only describe as a polo on a stick was placed on the surface of the eye and the alcohol solution was applied. This softens the epithelium. I could hear the nurse count up to 40 seconds when the polo stick(!) was removed and some more drops applied. Next I could (almost) see Dr Almasri use another instrument to gently push the epithelium out of the way. At this point everything went blurry. Next was the laser! I was told the laser would be applied for about 40 seconds. I had to focus on the red flashing light. A clicking sound could be heard and I could smell burning! Once finished, more eyedrops and then the epithelium was pushed back in place. A soft contact lense was applied followed by more drops – yep, you’ve guessed – lots and lots of eye drops! I was asked if I was ok and then left the operating room. I could see a dramatic improvement in my vision straight away – not crystal clear but not far off. In the side room I was given a bag containing antibiotic eye drops, painkillers and sleeping tablets and then sent home.

Upon leaving Optimax it was amazing being able to look down Finchley road and read signs, number plates etc!!

Later that day after resting, I could not tolerate bright light so I just closed the curtains and went to bed. The next 24hrs I couldn’t stand the light. But there was no pain which was good. By Wednesday I was able to go outside again without sunglasses etc..

Thursday I had to return to have the bandage lenses removed. Leading up to Thursday my vision had gotten slightly worse but when the bandage lense was removed it was crystal! Obviously the lense, like normal contacts, was getting grubby. I was informed my vision was alreadby better than 20/20 and I left the clinic beaming like a cheshire cat.

Now this is the really important part. Over the next month or so a number of things happened. At first, night vision was poor. Sometimes my eye would get blurry. My vision fluctuated and finally settled about 6 weeks after surgery. To everyone considering surgery you must be prepared for these kind of things to happen. I’m not saying they will as we all heal differently. All i’m saying is, is that you are having surgery and you need to give your eyes time to heal. Things will change at first but should settle!

About 3 weeks ago I had my right eye treated. Again, quick and painless. The sensitivity to light took a little longer – 48hrs as opposed to 24, but the vision got to 20/20 much quicker.

I had a checkup on both eyes last week and my vision is now 20/10 or 6/4 which is absolutely amazing. All in all, I am extremely pleased with Optimax.

My only real criticism is that although the consent form informs you of all the side effects you may experience, someone should really sit down with you once treatment has taken place and go through them with you. I experienced glare, halos, blurry vision, poor night vision etc.. but all of these were shortlived and I believe, part of the healing process. Experiencing this could cause a lot of panic in some people thinking their treatment has failed etc..

I hope this helps any of you considering surgery. If you have any questions etc..drop me a line at russ@fireflyuk.net.

cheers
Russ.

I have just been signed off today from Optimax, Finchley Road, my surgeon was Dr Patel.
I had Lasik on both eye’s on the 16th January 2003, It’s clear to all that are about to take a decision to have a flap cut from their eye and then under go a laser to burn your eye into the correct shape that this is scary stuff.
My eye’s before the op were R -3.25 and L -2.75. The whole experience was very good, First the op was completly painless and very quick, by the same evening I was watching TV un-aided, at first I had some difficulty reading however this improved over a week. I was most concerned about night driving, spikes from car lights appeared quite bad, but yet again this has improved to the point I can’t notice it anymore but it took 2-3 months to fully settle down. I was discharged today R +0.50 L 0.00. I also had a company medical a couple of weeks ago and explained that i had Lasik in January, after the checks the Doctor said that they did a very good job on your eye’s. Bottom line is I believe it’s the best decision and best money that I have every spent, I can’t even remember most of the grief about wareing glasses and contacts.
Anyway full marks to Optimax and special Thanks to Dr Patel

I have not gone ahead as yet with Laser eye surgery but have visited the Optimax clinic twice
in Manchester and found that they treated me very professionally and spent over 90 minutes with me discussing why I should not consider eye surgery
at the time of my visit.

I would also like to say that this site is very good and that that anyone considering laser surgery on the eye should visit first. Would it be
possible to provide more detailed information in the
future on success rates of clinics and the specific problems arising from surgery?

I was unaware that surgery could be performed by anyone with a medical qualification. I do not think this should be permitted as the eye is such a delicate organ.

Again thanks to all those who put this site together.

Mike Mulheran

Had lasek treatment at optimax in birmingham on the 28th of april.What can i say apart from the fact that i am very happy with the results.I found the procedure very easy and was keept informed of what was going on at all times.Had intial pain on the night,woke up the next morning really unable to open my eyes,the same the following day.On the forth day i went back to optimax to have the bandage contacts removed,as soon as these were removed all the discomfort seemed to disappear.It has now been nearly two weeks since i had it done and my right eye which had more laser applied to it has now caught up with my left.Early indications seem to be that my eyesite is now better than 20/20 6/6.I have had no side effects of yet,no night glare or ghosting etc.I will post again after i have been to my aftercare apointment.