Accuvision Laser Eye Clinic

I decided to look at laser surgery back in May. As I had been wearing hard c/l for 20 years I had to make the sacrifice of wearing glasses for a while! My first stop was Optimax in Leicester due to its location in my nearest city. I was advised that 3 weeks of non c/l wearing should suffice and so off I went. as the clinic had only just opened it was a little disorganised and I had to wait an hour to be seen. I was told that my corneas were too thin for lasik but I could have Epi-Lasek. However my corneas hadn't demoulded enough for a proper examination so had to wait another 3 weeks to see if I could have epi-lasek. The lady I saw wasn't very helpful and I felt she was too bored to give me all I needed so decided to go to BUPA. Again was told my corneas were too thin and advised to have lens implants. The consultant I was passed to gave me little information and wanted me to sign up after 5 mins, after telling me there were no risks. I was dubious of this advice and wondered whether the fact that England were playing that night had anything to do with his lack of time! Next stop was a gentleman I found on the net who was independent and specialised in implants. He was great and went through ALL possibilities although he only performed implants. The risks he advised me of about implants put me straight off - glaucoma, cataracts, retina detachment etc. Again I went back to the internet - whereupon I found a man who had thin corneas like me who had had lasik and it was successful; he had been to accuvision in Fulham. So I made an appointment (1st one that was free!) and decided to see LCRS in Harley St while I was down in the big city to make my trip worthwhile. LCRS specialise in cutting the eye so it then heals giving corrected sight (very much layman terms I know!). They said laser surgery was rubbish and had stopped performing it years ago - wasn't overly keen on having my eye cut and the fact that I could only have one eye done at a time and 3 months apart meant a very long process. So back to Accuvision - very professional, very informative, very expensive. They could deal with my corneas and also told me I had large pupils (something no on else had mentioned), but this wasn't a problem. They went through the risks, dry eyes, halos, starburst etc but my main concern was that they couldn't make me blind! After much research (think I may have done a little too much) I decided to book in. I went in on my own (would recommend taking a friend), as I didn't want to inconvenience my rural friends and practised deep breathing to keep calm. Was laid down and my eyes were anaesthetised. A nurse offered me her hand to hold but I decided against it. I was asked to concentrate on a green light and my eye was clamped open. Then the uncomfortable part - pressure put on the iris to hold it in place and all goes black. At this point the nurse grabbed my hand - I think she was more nervous than me, so I decided to squeeze hard just to make her feel needed. After that I felt nothing and breathed through my mouth as otherwise you can smell burning! Then my left eye was done and as I knew what to expect it wasn't too bad. You are then left to lie still for a few minutes (eyes shut of course) - by the way everyone speaks to you throughout so you don't feel 'left out'. Then I was asked to sit up and open my eyes - I didn't want to but eventually I did only to see a man peering at me. I shut my eyes again as he was a little scary and then proceeded to cry! I don't think it was because I could see and certainly not because I was in pain, I think it was just relief that it was over. After that you sit with eyes closed for 30 mins and then get checked over. I had a c/l put in place to help the cornea flap stay put and was told that it would actually make recovery less painful as well. This all started at around 2.30 and I was in my hotel for 4pm. by 5pm I went to the bar (in my sunglasses), for medicinal purposes only, as I felt like someone had punched me in my right eye (left eye was fine). By 6pm I felt fine, no pain and I could see. You are advised to keep eyes closed as much as possible so I ordered room service and listened to the TV. You have to tape eye shields on at night to stop you rubbing your eyes in your sleep, so when I woke up expecting the joy of being able to see the alarm clock I was disappointed, as all I could see was tape! Not to worry, as soon as I had ripped off the tape my vision was pretty good - little fuzzy in right eye. The clinic took out my c/l and said I was legal to drive, as I was 20/40. I had to use steroid eye drops for the next week to keep infection at bay and also tear drops when necessary. By the 2nd day my vision was good but fluctuated a little - nothing serious though. I went to a rugby match (obviously as a spectator) and could see well, went to the pub after and again all was well. Went back for my week after consultation and was told I was 20/20 with room for improvement! My eyes were only a little bloodshot after 10 days and I wasn't scaring children anymore (shame!) To summarise - I'm glad I did it. It didn't really hit me that I could see unassisted until I went on holiday 6 weeks after treatment, without 2 pairs of glasses, contact lenses, solutions etc! My details - was -4.00 and -5.00 with a slight astigmatism. Last visit I was -0.25 and +0.25 respectively. My corneas were 480 thicknesses and the flap was 80 and cornea removed was 67 and 84 respectively, so leaving more than the 250 recommended untouched. Should anyone thinking of having this done want more details then please feel free to email me catherine@cdns.co.uk

I had treatment 2 days ago now and all is pretty good so far (I am writing this with no glasses). I am reserving final judgment for a couple of weeks while my eyes settle down. **Surgery day** The day of surgery was pretty busy (Mondays and Thursdays) with at least 4 others having the procedure done at similar times to me and lots of checking and rechecking eye measurements etc. Despite this, the staff were excellent and made me feel relaxed. The surgery itself was slightly painful and unnerving. My right eye went well and was glad to have the left eye complete too, only to find that after checking the pupil, I had to have the flap lifted and re-cleaned. As soon as the surgery was over I was able to see 20/20 which was a relief but I was hoping for better as my sight was better than this with glasses prior to the operation. My near sight was excellent but my distance vision was still a little blured. Vikesh confirmed this is as expected and that the eye will relax a little – fingers crossed. **Surgery day+1** I awoke early (thanks to my 2 year old son James) with what felt like a stuck contact lens (I did actually have contact lenses in to help the healing) – the drops provide soon sorted this. Then I read James a story! My first check up. Back with Vikesh again – he removed my protective lenses, confirmed that the flap had resealed itself and there was no signs of infection. As with the day before my shorted vision was excellent but my long distance vision is slightly blurry. The topography of my new eyes did look a little “hilly”. Vikesh tried to reassure me but being a bit of a synic I wonder if he only spreads good news… I’ll wait and see I went to work happily for the rest of the day with no head aches or concentration problems. **Surgery day+2** Short sight is excellent, Long sight is still poor or perhaps slightly worse – having difficulty seeing number plates at 20 yards and text on the TV across the room. Fingers crossed this improves. Not being able to rub or easily clean your eyes (I am not a good shot with the drops!) is a pain but I have no scratchiness or irritation. So much so I have to keep reminding myself to put in the supplied set of drops.

I had my consultation with Accuvision after being told that my prescription was too severe for Laser surgery at another clinic. My prescription was a -6.75 with a 4.25 astigmatism in my left eye and a -8 with a 2,5 astigmatism in my right eye. I went along with no real hope that they could offer me anything different. I was over the moon when, after careful examination of my eyes and prescription, Vikash declared that they could not only treat my eyes but be confident that I would not have to wear glasses for anything more than possibly night driving. I booked up my treatment and went in for it about two weeks later. I was very nervous laying on the table but had no need to be. The staff were superb and Nick Jacobs made me feel very relaxed. In no time at all I was being told to sit up and come over to a check up desk. Without thinking I opened my eyes….and I could see the other end of the room perfectly. To say it was amazing is a massive understatement, I had been wearing glasses full time since I was six or seven and couldn’t see a hand in front of my face without them. I spent the next few days walking around like a grinning idiot, just so pleased and amazed at the miracle that they had performed. I had very slight discomfort for the first evening, just like having really tired and dry eyes. After that they were fine, no discomfort at all. Slight haziness on and off for the first few days, which was exactly as advised it would be. Now, a couple of months later, I am still disbelieving that it is for real and I no longer need glasses. My check ups have shown my vision to be better than 20/20 with only a very slight astigmatism remaining in my left eye. Even for night driving I do not need glasses. A big big thank you to all at Accuvision for their treatment and experience. Thank you.

Review by Gina Bate - Posted on 29/10/2004 - Rating:5/5 Just wanted to say thank you for "looking after my eyes"! I felt I couldn't have been in better hands. You are all so professional and it mean't so much ..... If anyone is nervous and not sure what to do, let me re-assure you, from my own personal experience, I could not have put my "eyes" in better hands. Everything from start to finish was so professional, I just knew that my eyes would be ok..... and they are. Infact more than ok - I am writing this just 24 hours after treatment and it is just wonderful. After many years of wearing contact lenses my eyes already feel "brighter". Even immediately after treatment, a quick peep revealed, with reasonable clarity that things were already sharp, though a little like looking through "cling film"! A big thank you to my surgeon - Nick Jacobs and the lovely nurse who held my hand! I woke up this morning and the wow factor was already there, albeit still a little like looking through the cling film! As the day has gone on it just keeps getting better - cling film has gone now. I've been shopping to Harrods and Harvey Nicks and have been driving around in my car - all stuff I never expected to be doing so soon. If you are still wondering whether to do it - I had concerns, you are bound to ..... but now I am so pleased I've done it.

I had my laser treatment at the end of August. Originally i had gone to Ultralase but was told my cornea was too steep and that my only option was implantable contact lenses but as my prescription wasn't that strong it wouldn't be worth it. I was pretty disappointed by this as i hate wearing glasses and this was something i was thinking about for ages. By accident i saw an ad for Accuvision and called them and found out that it may be possible to treat so i went along and found out that yes it was so booked myself in and haven't looked back since - had my 6 week check up and my vision is better than 20 20. The staff were fabulous i remember the nurse holding my hand throughout the op. I would without hesitation recommend accuvision to anyone and am encouraging my friends to have the treatment!

I'm 23 and have been wearing glasses since I was 2. I had a prescription of +6.75 and +4.50. My father recommended Accuvision after receiving treatment from them. (He now has 20:20 vision). They were happy to treat me but as my prescription was so high, they warned that I might still need to wear glasses for reading and driving. With all this considered I went ahead with the surgery on April 1st 2004. The surgeons and the consultants were lovely, very kind and reassuring, the nurse even held my hand all the way through the operation. 6 months later I have 20:20 vision. My eye sight is better now than it ever was when wearing my glasses. I would thoroughly recommend Accuvision to anyone with any prescription, how ever high or small. They are amazing, and very professional. They have given me new eyes. :oD

I had my eye sight corrected at Accuvision five weeks ago. I live at Newcastle but because my prescription was so bad at +7.5 no one would treat me. I had a free consultation at the London clinic and was so impressed I had the treatment two days later. The procedure took only minutes and there was no pain. My sight was improved instantly and got better each day. I had worn glasses or contact lenses for nearly fifty years and have now thrown them away. My vision was checked arter a month and is now 20/20 My advice is to go for it...

Amazing, I can see! 3 months ago I had a glasses prescription of + 6 and + 5.5 and couldn’t be without my glasses for more than a few minutes without getting a headache. Now thanks to Accuvision's care, attention to detail and wave front technology I have 20/20 vision in both eyes. The procedure was a bit scary and to be honest a bit painful. I had an interesting train ride to Croydon being guided like a blind person, and eventually I began to feel a little better. The worst of the pain only really lasted about 3 hours and suddenly I could open my eyes better and even watch the TV without my glasses, something I had never been able to do. The next morning I already had roughly 20/20 vision – wonderful after wearing glasses or contact lenses since I was 2 years old. I still can’t bear to chuck out my old faithful scratched and well worn glasses, not because I think my eyes will get worse again but just because it is great to be reminded every now and again what Accuvision did for me. It was worth paying more money than other clinics, for a start I wasn’t a borderline case with them and they really do seem to care what happens to you afterwards. I seemed to heal quicker and have less pain than other people that have used the usual cheaper places even though my prescription was much higher than them. Well worth the money, I would recommend Accuvision to any one with a higher prescription.

I have been blind in one eye since I was a child and have worn a contact lens for the last 13 years. Obviously, this worried me incase anything went wrong with my one 'good' eye. Accuvision were thoroughly professional and reassuring when dealing with me. They took a good two hours on my initial consultation and I felt total confidence in them. My vision is now apparently better than 20:20 in my working eye and I feel like a miracle has been performed! I would certainly recommend this clinic to anyone else requiring treatment.

I have just had laser surgery done by the Accuvision team this week. From start to finish I have recieved only proffessional treatment from all members of staff there. Please rely on my words when I say this company is very good at what they do!!! When I was reading a lot of positive reviews about this company I decided to take a chance and go for it and I am so glad that I did!!! Take it from me I have not worn my glasses since the procedure and I keep thinking I have left them somewhere and I am missing something..I was treated for short-sightedness so now everything I do in my daily life such as driving or watching the TV is very much clearer. When I left the clinic I could not help but notice the smallest details around me, from the tiles on the roof tops to the leaves on the trees..My advice to anyone is just go for it!!! My experience has been so good that normally I would not even write a review on anything however I HAVE to make a exception this time due to the profound impact that this has had on my life. This is the new way forward that realy works!!!! The company will give you all the information before the day and are always happy to answear any questions!!! The procedure was over so quickly that I cant believe I did not do this sooner!! A very worth wild experience I would 100% recommend ANYONE to do this!!!