St. James Laser Vision

I couldn’t recommend this clinic enough. The initial consultation was very thorough and all my questions were answered.

I was treated by Mr Ball. Despite my nerves he put me at ease and talked me through the whole procedure.

My aftercare has gone fairly smoothly. When I had some concerns about eye dryness and discomfort and turned up at the clinic unannounced,Mr Morrell was able to see me and reassure me. I was given cream and drops and my eyes were much improved.

Yesterday I had my 2 monthly check. I can almost read the bottom line of all the eye charts and my vision is better than it ever was with glasses or contact lenses. I am booked in for another appointment in October 2017,but can call the clinic at any time should I have questions.

I have already recommended the clinic to several people at my work!

Thank you to Mr Ball and the whole team for your expert treatment and for guiding me through the whole process so effortlessly.

An excellent result, so much so that I now take my new sight for granted, it\’s as if I\’ve never worn glasses.

Fantastic, caring, friendly service from St James’ laser vision. Very thorough with information & answered any question (no matter how silly).

Medical procedure was quick, pain free & I saw results within an hour. Best decision I made!

I recommend the surgery but you have to have it at st James laser vision as their medical care is just st brilliant.

Very well looked after from start to finish.
Every question answered and never rushed.
Excellent service and would highly recommend.
I was extremely short sighted and this has completely changed my life.
Thank you!

Had lasik surgery at the beginning of June due to having astigmatism, from day one I felt comfortable with the staff everything was explained any questions i had were answered fully felt completely safe.the procedure lasted 15 mins for both eyes never felt a thing the surgeons reassure you throughout leaving you feeling safe and calm. Could see straight away the difference had been amazing!! Only had it done 4 weeks ago.Would highly recommend st James laser vision. Thank you

From the moment I stepped through the door and spoke with the first receptionist on my assessment visit, to saying goodbye to the second receptionist I met at the 1 month check-up, my treatment by the St James Team was, without exception, professional, collaborative and a pleasure.

I have worn contact lenses since I was 18 to correct my short sightedness. I put them in first thing in the morning and taking them out was the last thing I did at night. Even during extensive periods of travelling with work, on long distant flights wearing contact lenses for me was never a problem (I never went out in my glasses, they went hand in hand with pyjamas and chill out days at home)…until, in my late forties, I couldn’t see to do detailed close up things e.g. hand sewing and was finding myself taking my lenses out and putting my glasses on to watch the television at the same time which seemed crazy (and back to front because at this age I should be putting reading glasses on to sew)…I went to St James expecting, if I was suitable, to have both my eyes lasered to correct my short sightedness at the expense of then having to wear reading glasses (which without my contact lenses in, at this point I didn’t actually need). The optometrist was so pleasant and after checking my vision, and taking measurements of my eyes suggested that I may be a candidate for Laser Blend Vision (St James is one of the few UK clinics that offer this technique – the laser algorithm are different to correct the vision). The consultant surgeon Mr James Ball discussed it further with me, including what it would mean as my eyes continue to age.

The surgery was painless (again the nurses and technicians supporting James Ball were so friendly at putting me at my ease), my dominant right eye was corrected for distance and my left eye was left as it was. The next day I went back (19hrs post op) and had 20:20 vision. For 48hrs I had a sensation similar to be light headed. One week later my combined vision took me to the bottom of the chart (better than 20:20 and certainly better than anything my glasses or contact lenses had achieved over the years). I still had a conscious perception that each eye was overlaying a differently focussed image, although clearly the overall vision was excellent. At the one month check, my brain has completely adapted to my left eye seeing close up and right eye distance. I didn’t have the 3 month check as my healing and outcome was without concern at 1 month and I was discharged.

James Ball saw me at every visit, nothing was too much trouble including sending me details and follow up emails should I be concerned about anything. The best outcome for my eyesight was his only concern.

There is no sales team at St. James, and no assumption that I would go there to have the surgery (or even approach to book a second appointment) just a handshake on my way out and a comment to ask the reception for the cost if I was going to consider it, but after my assessment visit experience I wouldn’t have considered going anywhere else.

Don’t expect plush surroundings though…the Unit is in St James Hospital but very close to the entrance of the Chancellor Wing so convenient.

Varifocal lens replacement and laser treatment

I was short-sighted, with astigmatism, all my life. In my early 60’s, I had the beginnings of cataract development. I had varifocal lens implants to both eyes and follow up laser surgery. Following the lens implants, my sight was less than perfect: a bit blurry, and with very bad glare from lights at night. I still needed to use prescription glasses for driving for a few months. The glare did settle down gradually, over a period of months, but I needed laser surgery to improve residual astigmatism. It all worked and, after six months, I am very pleased with the outcome. I can drive, cycle, and read without glasses.

The initial lens replacement surgery was straightforward and painless. The laser surgery was also straightforward, and a bit more painful post-op, but only for a few hours.

I have nothing but praise for all the clinic staff. The administrators were without exception cheerful and efficient. The surgery was done by Mr Morrell, who kept me informed throughout the process, and answered questions in a straightforward and helpful manner. The opticians who did the sight assessments before and after surgery were polite, patient, and always prepared to answer questions.

I would thoroughly recommend this clinic and these treatments. My advice, if you go through the process, is to be prepared to be patient. It was six months before my sight was good.

When looking for a clinic for my laser eye surgery I spent a long time researching it. St James had not only got excellent reviews on this website but I’d also received a number of personal recommendations from friends and acquaintances so I contacted them to make a arrangements for a consultation. The lady on the phone was extremely helpful and no pressure was put on me to attend, she provided me with lots of information and offered to post out a pack. I declined as I was keen to meet with them to discuss the surgery and my suitability for it ASAP.

I attended the clinic the following week and met with their optometrist (a lady who’s name I didn’t catch) She was really kind and she had a brilliant sense of humour which put me at ease straight away while she tested my eyes. Following this I met with the Surgeon James Ball who again was extremely professional and showed great kindness when performing various procedures to check my suitability. He confirmed I was able to have surgery and he proceeded to explain in detail what the surgery entailed including the procedure and recovery etc. He answered all my questions thoughtfully and gave me confidence he was the surgeon I wanted to perform the surgery.

I left the clinic having booked my surgery for 3 weeks after (this could have been sooner but due to my work commitments I postponed it).

On the morning of the surgery I was anxious however once I arrived at the clinic all the staff from the lady who works on reception to the other support team put me at ease straight away. The environment is welcoming and relaxing. James again explained exactly what would happen and what I should expect and I was then prepped for surgery.

I honestly didn’t have a thing to worry about from the minute entering the theatre and all throughout the procedures. James introduced me to his team and explained what whey would all be doing. He offered me reassurance and encouragement keeping me calm throughout. It is hard to believe but the surgery was not painful or even uncomfortable at any time throughout. I knew at each stage what they were doing and felt safe and in the best hands all the way through. The surgery was very quick and before I knew it everything was complete. I was given 5 minutes to rest and then was helped off the bed and to go to recovery. I had to sit for 15 minutes with my eyes closed while the team finished up and then I was taken in to meet with James again. He check both eyes and confirmed the surgery was a success and everything looked perfect. I was given eye drops and instructions for the next week until my follow up appointment. James gave me his mobile number and told me any questions or worries to contact him any time and I left to go home. My eyes were very sore and I tried where possible to close them to rest for most of that evening.

On waking the next morning once I removed the sleeping goggles I was amazed beyond belief at my vision and it has just continued to get better and better ever since then. James rung me to check how everything was and we agreed I would attend in a few days.

For the first few days I felt like I was viewing everything in 3D, everything was so clear and still is, its just unbelievable! I had little discomfort following the surgery which was mainly just dryness but the drops helped with this.

5 weeks have now passed and my eyes are great. My vision is much better than it was corrected with glasses and contact lenses and for the first time I can swim, wear sunglasses and work without squinting all the time!

I am so grateful to James Ball and his team. The service and care they provide is second to none. They all gave me their undivided attention and gave me massive confidence that I was in the best hands. I really would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering laser eye surgery!

Excellent service all-round. My vision is perfect now and am no longer reliant on contact lenses. My experiences of this surgery were all positive.

Mr Ball and the team at St James’s were kind and efficient at each appointment. I am delighted with the improvement in my vision.