Ultralase

I went to Ultralase for a consultation, the consultant friendly and answered all my Q.'s. HOWEVER, the prescription i got from Ultralase conflicted with the one i had got a week previously from another lasik consultant. I asked to be "tested" again by the other consultant - their prescription was the same as the first time. At my request, lenses were put in the test glassess (whatever they're called) from Ultralases prescription - things were blurry! I can only put this down to the fact that as i have large pupils, Ultralase didn;t put in any dilating drops - the other laser surgeon did - both times. By looking at the comments for Ultralase on this website, i must say, i am in the minority of negatives. I had my treatment done by the other abovementioned surgeon - i now have 20/20 vision, although it is still early days. Anyone with large pupils, - i suggest that you ASK for your pupils to be dilated, even if you are told that they don't need it. Feel free to email me...

After years of indecision I finally had laser eye treatment from Ultralase at their St.Albans clinic about 3 weeks ago ( April 03 ). The quality of the initial customer service and assessment was friendly, professional and very informative with lots of advice and information given both in discussion and in reading material. At all stages they were more than happy to answer any questions and actively encouraged their asking. The treatment was quick, far less traumatic than I had expected and there was no discomfort or apprehension at all during the procedure. I experienced cloudy/milky vision for an hour or so and a 'gritty' soreness in my eyes for a couple of hours about 4 hours following the procedure but this was nothing particularly drastic and the almost immediate improvement in vision was dramatic. You will need to wear plain glass lenses to protect your eyes for a couple of weeks afterwards, but after that - WOW - after seeing the world with a frame around it since I was 8, it's like looking at everything on a wide-screen television! I am extremely glad that I made the decision to have it done and, if you are considering it - do it now - you won't regret it! My thanks and appreciation to all at Ultralase, St.Albans.

I am contemplating taking the plunge and having eye laser surgery but would like to know if anyone who has had the treatment and it has been successful is long sighted with a prescription near +6.50R/+ 5.50L and an astigmatism. I have recommendations but these are all from people who are short sighted.

My surgeon was Sumith Perera at the Guildford Clinic. Following a very through initial consultation and eye examination I was asked to get a “Fields Test” as an added precaution to ensure no sign of glaucoma. This was slightly inconvenient as the Guildford clinic did not have the testing equipment, however, I had this done the next day and I was actually pleased that they insisted on doing things correctly. Had my surgery the following day (18.4.03) the procedure was very straight forward, I did not feel any pain or at all nervous as the staff and Mr. Perera were all so professional. 40 minutes after the procedure my right eye was 6/9 and my left eye 6/12, Mr. Perera very confidently told me that I would be 6/6 the following day. During that day I slept a lot as the drops that they put into your eyes relax the eyelid muscles so it is very difficult to stay awake. I return the following day, right eye 6/6, left 6/9 and drove home. I have just been back for my first check up after about 10 days. My sight has improved again to right 6/5 and left 3 characters from 6/6. Ultralase expect this to settle down further as my eyes completely heal. I am absolutely delighted in the change to my life, my original prescription was right –3.5 and left –4.5 (with astigmatism).

I had my left eye operated end of Jan 2003 and right eye end of Feb by David Jory. The person who measures your eye and consults with you is the same person who performs the operation. At the first consultation I recommend everyone take sunglasses, he used drops to dilate the pupils and walking outside was extremely bright afterwards! He was very open and ready to discuss the procedure, I had read the literature back to front before going. I was happy with the consultation. I had my first op later that day (after time for lunch and collect thoughts away from the clinic). Some of the drops during consultation stringed greatly, but the operation itself is completely painless. You are equipped with pain killers for later on. I thought I could manage without them but the pain the first evening was too much so I did take the tablets after all (good night's sleep ;-), kept the last dose for the next night. After 1st eye (left) was done vision was exceptionally clear as soon as the pad was off, quite amazing. Starbursts were very visible at night, and I avoided night driving where-ever possible. Stinging or scratchy sensation when tired. At 2nd eye surgery (right), he tested left eye at that metered in at -0.25 (I was worse than -4.00 in each eye). Second eye experience was same as first. On checkup two weeks after 2nd eye surgery, my left eye had regressed to -0.75 and right eye was +0.25. I am conscious that left eye image is slightly blurred and Mr. Jory explained that a pair of eyes working together only had a single focus, so dominant eye wins and other eye is blurred. When I cover right eye the left eye does focus better, but not as clear as when it was first operated on. Mr. Jory will not operate unless vision is worse than -1.00, and he said that as left eye had regressed slightly, it was probable that right eye will too. When the prescriptions are closer difference will be less noticeable. - Watch this space! I still suffer starburst effect at night, although this is decreasing with time (2 - 3 months so far). Mr. Jory said this will diminish over time. I used to suffer with dry contact lenses before surgery, now my eyes can get dry and feel uncomfortable occasionally. Mr. J recommended 'artificial tear' drops from a chemist - which work ok. I am delighted with my new eyes, I selected this procedure because of apparent (?) long term dangers of LASIK. I will post again in a few months after I've been to local optician to get eye prescription.

Just been discharged from Ultralase in Chelmsford. Had LASIK in July last year to get rid of my -2 and astigmatism, and now I can see 6/4 in both eyes. My eyes were slightly sensitive to light for a few days but other than that I had no side effects. Its really handy having somewhere local for the treatment and all the aftercare but the most important thing is make sure you really investigate the clinic and the surgeon before you decide where to have it done. They answered all my questions (and I had loads!!) and it was good to know that about 25% of people are turned away because they are unsuitable. At least you know there not just treating anyone. The staff there have all been great and really friendly. Making the decision to have LASIK is totally a personal one but its one that I'm 100% glad I made and would recommend Ultralase and Chelmsford.

My husband had Laser eye treatment with Ultralase ten years ago, and has never looked back. The thing we both appreciate most is the difference it has made to our enjoyment on holiday - he can jump in the sea or the pool without having to worry about contact lenses, and can now wear trendy shades instead of prescription sunglasses...he also looks much more handsome without his specs!! He hasn't had any side effects at all, and his vision has stayed just as good for ten years. The treatment didn't bother him much at the time - in fact we had a barbecue the same evening - although I wouldn't recommend planning anything like that, just in case.

I was -3 with astigmatism. Decided to go for treatment as I was tired of contact lenses and glasses. Consultation was professional , operation was simple and straight-forward with excellent staff at the (Birmingham clinic). Problems/complications:- - Vision is very good with both eyes but my right eye is the weaker. Early indications suggest eyes are settling (been 2 months now) and re-treatment may not be possible for the right eye as my cornea is not thick enough to allow further treatment - My eyes get tired allot more quickly especially at night watching TV - I use a VDU but each morning (so far) my eyes are straining to see clearly the screen. After a couple of hours my vision is ok. This could be due to a condition called 'dry eyes' - I need to take tear drops as a result which is an inconvenience but I hope not long term as this will negate the results of the operation - Night vision is ok - I used to suffer from frequent headaches with contacts but these have disappeared now Overall my vision is better than it used to be (when I had contacts) BUT not as good as my glasses. Dry eyes is causing me inconvenience as I need to take drops but hopefully this will pass. Vision is not great/strained for the first 2 hours each day but fine after that - noticeable only when using a VDU but not normal run of the mill things My advice:- - Check you can handle the 'aftercare programme' as it is a bit lengthy and choose your nearest clinic as you need to make several visits after the OP - Check with the surgeon about dry eyes and if you have them before the long term effects after - Ensure your cornea is thick enough to be able to withstand further treatment if necessary Hope these comments help

I am 51 and have been wearing contact lenses for 31 years. Can anyone tell me about their experience after the lasik treatment, specially about reading glasses being needed. Thanks.

I had laser eye surgery at Ultralase Leeds with Mr Gupta almost 3 years ago. I was approximately –3.5 in both eyes before surgery and was completely dependant upon glasses to get through daily life and fiddled around with contact lenses when playing football. After conducting a great deal of research into alternative providers (this type of site would have been very useful then) I chose Ultralase as they appeared to specialise in this field and had been around for longer than anyone else so I figured had more experience. I found the surgery uncomfortable rather than painful and would liken it to a trip to the dentist – not something you would choose to do every day but not a big deal when you get there. My eyes were very sensitive for a couple of days after the operation and I didn’t feel like doing much all weekend (I was treated on a Friday) but by the Monday I was seeing clearly and was back at work. 3 years on my eyesight is slightly better than 20/20 and I’m overjoyed with the results. All along Ultralase have been extremely professional and friendly and I have recommended them to my father in law and best mate both of whom have had treatment at Ultralase and are as impressed as I am.