Ultralase

Where has my letter gone that I wrote on this site 1 week ago about having treatment when you are long sighted?

Update to my original review posted 17th Oct 2002. I had a call today from a friend asking for advice on Lasik, I then remembered that I promised to update this site with the outcome of my surgery. It's been 5 months since the op, my eyes are just spiffing ! I can spot a motorway speed camera at 1000 metres and save on a TV license by watching next doors TV from my own lounge. They are so good in fact that I have almost forgotten all the bad bits of the experience, it probably took a good eight weeks before things felt right, my abrasions have now cleared up completely. My decision to go to Ultralase was based on them being probably the biggest and most experienced, I think I made the right choice and would recommend them if you really want Lasik done. Question: If I could turn the clock back 6 months knowing then what I know now would I proceed with the surgery? Answer: NO. But why ? I hear you say 'this guys eye sight is now spot on' ! Yes it is, but my scare back in October convinced me that the consequences of serious complications, however small that possibility, are too horrible to imagine.

I thought that I would add a few words to this site. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I had bilateral laser surgery performed at the Ultralase surgery in Guildford on Thursday 27th March 2003. The surgeon was Mr Sumith Perera. My prescription was R(-2) and L(-1.5) with slight astigmatism in the right. I chose Ultralase because I was very impressed with the professionalism of the staff and I felt that my eyes were in very safe and capable hands. My initial consultation was straight forward with tests for pupil dilation, corneal thickness, dry-eye, eye mapping and a conventional sight test. After the Optometrist had completed the tests I saw a Patient Advisor. Ostensibly, this is a sales person but they certainly do not push you, or did not push me. They implore you to ask as many questions as you like. They went through a list of possible outcomes and complications. Then, they left it with me and did not follow up, with pestering calls. So, after extensively researching the process, I booked for the operation. It took place four days ago, as I write this, and I am very pleased with the results. Before the procedure, the nurse sits with you and explains all the after care treatment. This was done clearly and in good depth. One point that the Ultralase after care document omitted was how to wash your hair to best avoid getting the eyes wet. Obviously you can do this by leaning backwards over a sink or bath, but it is a good idea to use Baby shampoo, like Johnsons, too. For those interested, I will describe the operation. As they said, it was very short and definitely painless. It was not the most pleasant experience that I have ever had but it is over very quickly. The major parts of the surgery are A) where they place a pressure ring on the eye to create the flap. This was on my eye for sixty seconds and for the last ten, it was pressing my eye uncomfortably. Then when it is taken off. Then B) you look into the laser’s red light and they deliver the bursts in several doses. Again not painful, but very odd. From there, they bathe the eye and replace the flap. Lastly, they re-test the equipment and then do the second eye. Immediately afterwards my vision was, as promised, blurry. This is not worrying though because you are expecting it. You can still see everyone around you, just not sharply. Post op, my eyes did not run, sting or feel very gritty. Big tip – get a late appointment and then you can just go to bed afterwards. The surgeon inspected my eyes one hour after the op and the right eye – which was operated upon first – was already driving test standard. The following day, both my eyes were 6/9, the line above “20/20” but I felt that this was something to do with me being tested later in the day. In the first couple of days your eyes are at their sharpest in the morning and less strong towards the end of the day. The after care is easy to follow. You will have some eye drops that need to administer for about a week, so long as there is no infection. The drops will leave small white flakes on your eyes but these come off easily in the manner described in the aftercare pack. When researching this procedure, you should acquaint your self with all the facts and statistics related to the treatment. Search the web for your surgeon. Find out your corneal thickness and pupil dilation – I found out that mine was quite large at 7.5mm and thus placed me at a slightly higher likelihood of “starbursts” and halos”. Read sites such as www.lasikdisaster.com to get a sense of perspective (the less pro arguments) and also to get some questions to ask your surgeon. All in all, though it is early days, I am very pleased with the treatment. I do have a question regarding the recovery period. I am interested to learn about how the eye "settles" post-treatment. Have people found that their vision improves between the "next day" post-op test and subsequent measurements, in the days, weeks or months that follow? Thanks, Paul

I had laser surgery last may.My right eye is very good and the prescription is steady,but my left eye is gradually deteriorating.I was thinking about an enhancement but i am not sure about the risks involved in having it the second time.Does anybody have any info on this? cheers paul

I recently had LASIK performed at Ultralase, and I sent an email two weeks later with some critical, but positive feedback: "I had a couple of critical comments to make to the consultant, but more in the way of positive feedback, suggestions to improve the service: 1. The After-care sheet of Dos and Don'ts says that you must not rub your eyes for two weeks, but it doesn't say what you should do if you do get something in your eye. I recommended that they insert a sentence after the warning about rubbing to the effect that if you get sleep in your eye or some other foreign body then attempt to flush it out with the artificial eye-drops provided and blinking, and if this doesn't work then seek advice from the after-care help line. 2. Older patients who will need reading glasses after surgery. There is no info on when a prescription for reading glasses can be taken after surgery. The consultant said a preliminary prescription can be taken the day after surgery, I said fine, but it would be better if this was made clear in the documentation, as I struggled for the first two weeks with a random pair I picked up at Boots, and eventually I paid UKP398 for a proper pair at Specsavers (varifocal, all the coatings etc), the consultant then told me that I would probably need another prescription after the eyes had settled in approx six months time. So more info is needed in the documentation to say when a preliminary prescription should be taken, and when a final prescription should be taken. If a patient is told that they will probably need reading glasses after surgery then an eye-test for this purpose should automatically be included in the following-day check-up. Other than those two suggestions I am completely happy with the treatment and the pre-care and after-care. I have none of the possible side-effects (dry-eye, haloes and starbursts, light-sensitivity etc)." I hope these two comments help in some way. Colin Withers

I had my surgery at the Tottenham Court Road branch by Dr Pascal Annonier on the 13th March 2003. The procedure was quick and painless and I could see if a little hazy straight away. I was able to travel home by tube afterwards. I was very light sensitive by the time I got home but a couple of hours sleep wearing my gorgeous plastic eye shields sorted that out and I was able to watch TV in the evening. My eyesight is now 20/20 and I am extremely happy with the results. Ultralase and there staff were excellent and I would have no hesitation in recommending anyone to have the treatment.

I had my surgery on March 7th at the Tottenham Court Road clinic. My surgeon was Pascal Anonnier. The worst bit about the surgery was the clamp that they put on your eye - I found that very uncomfortable. My eyes were uncomfortable for about 4 hours after the operation but after that they were fine. My prescription had been R -3.5 L-4.5 - I can now read the bottom line of the chart. The plastic shields and the glasses are annoying but two weeks isn't a long time really. I have been suffering from dry eyes a bit since. After the operation Mr Annonier said that my left eye was dry so I was ready for the side effects. When I had my week check up the opthalmologist was very helpful and understanding, I have a gel to put in my eyes during the day and one for night time - none of this would put me off reccommending the surgery to anyone - after wearing glasses for 23 years and lenses for 17 years I can see first thing in the morning - no more steamed up glasses! If I had to make the decision again I wouldn't hesitate to go for the operation this time.

Prescription pre-op R -7 L -7.5, 40 years of spectacle wearing and 25 years of contact lenses! Had been considering Lasik for some time and had a consultation in Birmingham Oct 2000, where I was rejected due to corneal oedema in one eye (probably due to an infection). I found this slightly reassuring as Ultralase were apparently not after my money under any circumstances! Tried again July 2002 in Bristol and was accepted - though my corneal thickness (500 microns ish) was barely enough for my prescription. Fortunately I have fairly small pupils and the surgeon (Neil Marshall) was happy to go ahead. If you have any doubts - ask! After I had a chance to think things through, I felt I needed more information about the likely effect on my night vision with this combination. I contacted the clinic and was able to arrange an informal 15 minute chat with Neil to set my mind at rest. The op itself was uncomfortable rather than painful (mainly due to the suction cup on the microkeratome!). The few days immediately following the op were not a lot of fun - gritty eyes, scummy drops, light sensitivity - bit like a bad hangover without the up-front fun. And like everyone else I was continually testing my eyes and worrying about flap displacement. My advice - take a few days off work. If you work under artificial lights (I do) or use a computer screen (me too) or have air-con (me again) - the combination is not good…. Post op care was fine - I woke one day to find I had my fingers jammed under my 'fly' eye shields and was petrified I'd moved something. Rang the clinic and was seen within a couple of hours. I suppose I was fortunate that I had no significant complications and didn't need a great deal of post-op support. I followed what appears to be the typical pattern of a heavier prescription - vision very variable for some considerable time, night vision a bit grim for a while (like wearing dried up contact lenses) and some dry-eye. Now 7 months post-op. Had a check-up last week and measure R 6/5 L 6/6 against the chart. That doesn't tell the whole story. Vision in bright light is great - at least as good as contact lenses. Dim light less so, but perfectly tolerable in most situations. There is an indefinable deterioration in visual quality at times, but it's hard to describe and not measurable. I now have reading glasses as my close vision is not good, but I was going there in the next couple of years due to my age anyway, so no great sacrifice! Overall, the result is at least as good I had hoped, I can function normally in almost all situations and though I still suffer from some grittiness and blurring when in work (harsh environment), I hope that will gradually go as the healing completes. The team at the Bristol clinic have always been helpful and Neil's judgement was obviously good - my right eye is now stable and the left is still improving slightly at each check-up. It won't be for everyone. Get all the information you can from the web, ask lots of questions, talk to your surgeon and if you're still not convinced, stick with your specs. I didn't and have no regrets!

Had done lots of research before the procedure so knew pretty much what to expect. The procedure was completely painless and very quick. My vision is better than I expected although I am still using drops to counteract dryness.To be able to wake up every morning and see clearly is a miracle. I would recommend Ultralase - very friendly and efficient staff.

I had surgery at the Ultralase clinic Cardiff and found the staff, service and treatment to be more than excellent. I was taken through the whole thing before the treatment and felt they were incredibly thorough and helpful. Any concerns or nerves about the treatment were dealt with kindly and with patience. I am more than pleased with the surgery and feel it has totally changed my life. No more glasses and contact lenses and faffing around in the morning, Just get up and i can see. No one who has never had to worry about their sight can appreciate how wonderful the feeling is to wake up and be able to see straight away and feel confident that the clinic have treated you in the best possible way. I have highly recomended Cardiff Ultralase to many of my friends who are considering having Lasik surgery and would recomend them to anyone else who has thought about sugery. It is definately value for money and worth every penny.