Accuvision Laser Eye Clinic

I went to Accuvision for a (free) consultation yesterday (20/3/02). I was impressed by the experience - pleasant environment, helpful staff, and running to schedule. The consultation took over an hour, and seemed very thorough, including both corneal mapping and use of the aberrometer to measure internal refractive problems. The opthalmologist identified lenticular astigmatism on top of my -8 myopia. They were also able to tell me my corneal thickness (over 600 microns), the flap thickness (150 microns) and the level of ablation (114 microns); it's comforting to know that over half of my corneal thickness will be left untouched the the op. They also pointed out that older laser technologies (as used by some other clinics) would have ablated over 200 microns for my prescription.

They were comfortable answering all my questions about what might go wrong, and there was absolutely no hard sell, which surprised me given that the consultation was free. They quoted me 1500 per eye (and they firmly encourage doing both eyes together), with a 20% chance of needing retreatment to refine the vision, which would be provided at no extra cost. Because of the level of my prescription, the initial surgery would not use the fabled wavefront technology, as the astigmatism is only a small fraction (2%) of the prescription. Any reatreatment, however, would probably use wavefront analysis, as the astigmatism would be more significant. My spectacle prescription had included prism, which the opthalmologist found to be unnecessary. However, he pointed out that using wavefront analysis, it would have been possible to counteract a certain level of prism as part of the treatment.

Another good feature of Accuvision is the length of the waiting lists. I was able to get my consultation within a week, and was offered the option of a surgery date in three weeks time.

I left feeling reassured that the benefits of LASIK outweighed the risks, and that I would be happy for Accuvision to do the treatment. However, I think that I will have another consultation somewhere else first; not because I saw anything to concern me at at Accuvision, but simply because a second opinion seems sensible when contemplating surgery on something as valuable as one's eyes.

Date Of Surgery: November 2001. I can't describe the feeling of waking up the next day and being able to see everything with crystal clear vision. With my year old toddler, who loves grabbing any object in sight, wearing spectacles was a chore. I thank Mr William Ayliffe and his team at Accuvision for all that they have done - they treated me with absolute care and efficiency. I strongly recommend to anyone out there seeking and considering Laser Refractive surgery that they should go to Accuvision.

I had LASIK on 20/2/02. I had been thinking about this surgery for over ten years but was never confident with the technology available. After wearing double glazed glasses since 8 yrs old and then contact lenses for over 13 years I decided it was time I looked into whether surgery was an option for me. After reviewing a number of the clinics offering this surgery I decided to go with Accuvision. They were the only clinic that gave me an assurance that although they couldn't guarantee I would not still need glasses for driving/tv, there was a strong chance I would not. All the other clinics told me I would definitely need glasses as after LASIK I would be left with a small prescription. My prescription was approximately
-8.00 in both eyes with high astigmatism in the right eye. I could not understand why one clinic could give me this assurance while the others couldn't. It boils down to the laser and equipment that Accuvision use which pinpoint your exact requirements. The surgery itself is a big decision but Vik and Darius at Accuvision really do answer any queries that you have and professionally guide you through the consultation, surgery and the aftercare. You are not pushed to go ahead with the surgery and at one point I actually felt like my surgeon Dan Reinstein was trying to put me off! I understand there are risks with any surgery. After getting up from the operation table I could see the surgeon's face and I knew I'd made the right decision. Before he would have been a blurry blob. I was tempted to look at things but you are advised to shut your eyes and rest them. All I can say is I wish this surgery had been available years ago and it is honestly the best thing I have ever done for myself. My prescription now is virtually 20/20 in the left eye and 15/20 in the right and NO GLASSES. And it has all been down to the team at Accuvision. I would recommend them if you want to make an informed decision.

I had laser correction surgery on Friday 5th April, just yesterday and I am sitting here typing this without my glasses or contacts - utter freedom!

I found Accuvision to be a remarkable bunch of people, extremely thourough and informative, and best of all - no pressure!

The consultation was very indepth and showed me everything in detail, in order to help me make up my mind if I really wanted to go through with it. I was a good candidate for surgery and I was really fed up with having to wear glasses or contacts after 20 years or so. I made up my mind to have the surgery and here I am - free!

The consultant and the surgeon went through everything again thouroughly just before surgery which left me with no doubt that I was doing the right thing.

The actual procedure was painless, although the feeling as they applied pressure to the eye to get the flap open, was a little weird. However, it was also no more than five minutes on each eye. I could not believe that I had done it. I hate anything to do with surgery and was, to say the east, very nervous indeed.

However the staff again were so brilliant in their assurances and their courtiousness that I got through it with absolutely no trauma!

After five minutes with my eyes closed and 30 minutes after the surgery I was travelling back home on the train with my wife with no problem. The aneasthetic started to wear off in about 2 hours and there was a feeling that I had sand in my eyes. The drops helped to sooth this and within 6 hours, it was quite comfortable.

I slept like a baby last night, after all the tension, and woke up refreshed this morning to remove the eye protectors and there it was - I could see well, without my glasses or contacts. My vision is a little blurred around the edges as I write but its getting better as each hour passes. I am assured that it will clear completely within the next few weeks.

This morning I threw out all my contacts and all that goes with them. It is s liberating feeling.
I do alot of outdoor activities such as sailing and this is going to make a HUGE difference to the quality of my life.

I cannot praise the Accuvision staff to highly, from the receptionaist to the surgeon. After much research before mking the decision, I also decided that whilst they are probably a little more expensive than the average, that they do have the latest and best technology and after all- it is MY eyes.

I have no hesitation in recommending Accuvision to anyone who is considering have laser eye surgery. I look foward to a visual aids-free life from now on - the only one regret - I didn't do it years ago!

I had my surgery on 02/03/02. It feels fantastic to wake up in the morning and not have to reach for my glasses. Thanks to the efforts of the Accuvision team I can now see better than my partner.

The level of care and attention I received was second to none. Their demand for perfection has meant that I now have 20/20 vision. I cannot thank them enough for giving me back my sight and taking such good care of me.

Jo Pugsley

After deliberating for many months I finally booked a consultation at Accuvision on about 3 weeks ago. Having looked at all the information available to me, including this site, I'd decided that if I was going to have anything done it would be the latest wavefront guided laser procedure, which can only be carried out at Accuvision (at least in the UK).
I was very happy with the consultation (initial testing by Vic and further testing specifically for the wavefront procedure by Darius) as all my questions were answered in full, they took plenty of time to explain all the pros AND cons, and there was no 'hard sell'. I was very impressed by the state of the art equipment used and all in all I was very happy to book up an appointment for the actual procedure. I went in for this just under 48 hours ago and now I am working at my desk, having driven in to the office this morning, happily tapping this into my computer. My previous prescription was -3.5 in my right eye and -5.5 in my left, with some astigmatism in both. Now I would describe the vision in my right eye as near perfect and slightly watery in my left = overall about as good as I ever had with contact lenses and not quite as good as I had with glasses. I can expect my vision to improve over the next days and weeks so I'm very happy - I can hardly believe that I'll never have to wear glasses or contact lenses again!
The procedure itself was very quick, uncomfortable but not painful. I was in and out of the door in less than an hour with the actual surgery taking barely 10 minutes. For the first 4-5 hours afterwards my eyes were very watery and it was more comfortable to keep them closed which is advisable anyway. 7 hours after the operation I was in a restaurant with my wife having a celebratory dinner, my vision hazy but improving. Yesterday morning I was astonished by how much better I could see - it was a bit like waking up with my contact lenses in. At the follow up visit to Accuvision yesterday they said my eyes are healing perfectly.
I have to go for another check up in about a week so I'll update my entry after that. If anyone wants to contact me my email is bruce@aspen-airconditioning.com

I underwent surgery in the first week of December 2001; in fact I was patient number three. Before treatment my vision in both eyes was between -7.00 and -8.00 and I relied totally on my spectacles and contact lenses.

I had contemplated laser treatment for a number of years but never quite built up the courage to seek further information. It was not until a friend recommended Accuvision that I actually got the ball rolling.

On the day of the surgery I was quite apprehensive in case anything went wrong but the staff at the clinic from the ophthalmologist through to the receptionist were all very helpful, supportive and reassuring.

I was surprised at how quick and painless the whole procedure was and in fact by the next day I was able to drive to the clinic for my first post operative check up upon where I was told my vision was just off 20/20 .

By the first week post operative check up I was at 20/20 vision and in fact this week I will be visiting the clinic for my 6 month check up. All in all my experience at Accuvision from first consultation to date has been a very pleasant one and the best invest I have made in recent years.

Finally it just remains for me to say thank you to everyone at Accuvision for restoring my eyesight...

Well, I just had my initial consultations at Optimax (Finchley Rd) and Accuvision. See comments under each clinic. At Accuvision I was examined very thoroughly by a knowlegeable and enthusiastic member of staff. They also carried out wavefront analysis, which gives a far more precise picture of the optical defects than refraction alone. Overall a very impressive setup. I was blown away by the high-tech kit they have there - obviously a huge investment, so they must be pretty confident about recouping it with sufficient patient revenues over the next few years. They've only had about 450 patients so far, so everything's still very new & shiny – and you can take a peek through the window into the op room. Met one of the members of staff who'd had LASIK done there - and was invited to see her eyes under the microscope! (which I graciously declined - they looked just fine to me) The only disappointment was, I didn't get to meet a surgeon as it wasn't an operating day - but they said I was very welcome to come back & see one if I liked. One benefit of Accuvision & wavefront: their laser would remove approx 30 microns less cornea (40 vs 70) than the Nidek at Optimax, due to the custom ablation profile. The more cornea I can hang onto, the happier I'll be!
The main thing I gained from the day though, was to realise how being myopic (I'm -2.75 & -3.5) can stop you needing reading glasses when presbyopia kicks in in middle age. I'd read about this on the web before, but now I've seen for real. Here's what happens: when they put the drops in your eyes to dilate the pupil, it also paralyses the lens, which stops you being able to focus close up (I may not be exactly right about this – I'm not an optician, but I think that's the way it was). I found I wasn't able to see my watch with glasses on, but only had to lift my specs, and my trusty short-sighted mince pies could see the time clearly - case closed. So, you have to trade off losing some good near vision in later life, against great distance vision from now on. At least that's how I see it.

I've had my consultation - so nervous I was early, but I was seen early without any hassle. I am very rare in that I'm very LONG SIGHTED +6.5 & +7, have astigmasisms in both eyes and my left eye is lazy. After much research accuvision is the only place in the uk who will do me :-) The staff answered all my questions, and rephrased things when i didn't understand. They were paitent when I couln't make a desicion there and then, have customers you can call for references etc. The technology was great - I work with computers so i know what I'm looking at. Yes I am going ahead - very nervous, but they say there is nothing i can do which will hinder the surgery. So in 9 days - 2 1/2 weeks after my consoltation I'll be done - yes I'll let you know how it goes, but as I've worn glasses all day every day since I was 4 (now 26) and have a tendancy to bump into things and can't catch, anything will be an improvement. If u have questions u can mail me....Wish me luck!

What can I say that hasn’t been said before. Well unlike many of the others who have posted comments on this site I did not have a straight operation. I decided to go with Accuvision after researching the best laser correction technologies available, this was a big decision because I live in N.Ireland and have two laser clinics within driving distance. When I arrived at Accuvision I was made very comfortable and was impressed by the modern clinic. I was apprehensive at this stage because I was so scared that my eyes would not be suitable. After the pre-op assessment I was given the thumbs up.
I arrived the following day and was quite nervous about the op, actually I was shitting myself, I was alone in London and in a couple of hours I might be blind !! Went through the usual pre surgery routine and was soon lying back on the bed staring up at red laser beams. The staff at this stage were magnificent. I don’t mind pain but hate needles and the thought of someone cutting the top off my eye was like needles X 100. The first stage of the op is to cut the corneal flap and due to that fact that I have narrow recessed eyes this posed quite a few problems. After some discomfort the flap was cut and within a few minutes the operation was over and they moved over to my other eye. Unfortunately they were unable to cut the corneal flap this time due to my protrouding skull. I was very deflated but Darius and Co. were very encouraging and professional. The situation was reassessed the following day, I had one 20/20 eye and one bad one. It was decided that I come back in 2 weeks for reassessment. To cut a long story short they successfully operated on me and achieved a reasonable correction although not 20/20.
I am due back for post op assessment soon where they may might make a slight enhancement.
To summerise this experience I would say that without doubt I would recommend Accuvision because complications do occur and it is maybe only then that the true expertise of the operating team can be witnessed. I am thrilled with the results so far and still find it hard to believe I don’t need contacts or glasses again.
I regularly see advertisements in the national press for cut price eye surgery but why drive a Lada when for a few pounds more you can drive a Porsche!

Many thanks to Darius & Co. for all their good work.