Accuvision Laser Eye Clinic

I had my consultation a week ago, and my surgery is booked for a week today. My left eye is -9.75, and my right is -3.00 with an astigmatism of -4.5. Given how rubbish my eyes are, and having had a consultation elsewhere for comparison, I'm happy paying a premium for Accuvison thoroughness. Vikash checked everything, including a measurement of my pupils, and corneal thickness around the edge of my astigmatic eye, not just the centre. Darius's interest and input throughout also gave me confidence. All the risks were explained, and no pressure applied. I just hope I'll be giving 5 stars in a couple of weeks time!

Further to my comments on the 17th Jan (just in case someone thought the surgery went wrong when I didn't report on my treatment sooner!!).... My treatment went as planned 2 weeks ago and even the following day my vision was already 20/20, with an improvement a week later to better than 20/20 in one eye... Yes, its uncomfortable, having your eyes clamped open is never going to pleasant! but the team are very supportive and caring throughout. I have to say make sure you have someone to look after you the day of surgery, it is handy having someone else put the hourly drops in (and to make you drinks and dinner!!) Because I work night shifts within my job I have found it hard at times due to the halos and blurriness of LED displays at night, but I have been told this is to be expected and will settle down within the next few weeks. I also think that because I am aware of my vision more I am always examining whether I can see better now than with my glasses before (and beware everyone, you will become a bore talking about laser treatment once you've had it done!). One eyes has been quicker to heal and improve than the other but again this is normal. What I can say is don't expect perfect vision from day 1, it does take time!! However, I am off on holiday to NZ and Aus for a month soon and cant wait to go with just a pair of sunglasses (and some clothes of course!). It has made a difference to normal life already, and I don't regret a single penny that has been spent. The team are great and my comments from before still stand. Anybody who is considering treatment should go to Accuvision for a consultation, it is free and you have nothing to lose. I have recommended the team to many colleagues, friends and family and several are already thinking about going for it. Just like myself, it is easier to make a decision about having this treatment when someone you know personally has had it done. Find out for yourself how good they are!! Claire

I had wavefront guided Lasik at Accuvision four days ago. I had a mild short-sightedness and astigmatism. I am, so far, very happy with the results. Vision in my left eye is very good; vision in my right eye is better than it was but I'm hoping it will improve. I found the actual procedure extremely unpleasant and would not want to go through it again. Despite that the discomfort is short lived and I have no regrets. Post surgery I had no pain in one eye whilst the other was really quite sore with 'shooting pains'. I wouldn't really describe them as gritty, more prickly! I found the team pleasant and professional. However I agree with the comments posted regarding the rude receptionist, her attitude prior to surgery nearly prevented my going there. On the negative: I would have welcomed a sedative/anxiolytic beforehand (Accuvision won't let you have one). I would also have welcomed somewhere a little more private/comfortable to recover for the hour afterwards. When the operation was finished I felt very emotional and stressed - sitting in a busy waiting room with my eyes shut was disorientating and distressing. Overall I would go through it all again and would choose Accuvision.

Have you heard about the recent judgement by the ASA (advertising standards authority)? I had my eyes done with Accuvision about a year ago and often refer to this site out of curiosity to read other entries. I just thought other interested parties would want to know about this... Basically Ultralase protested against an Accuvision advert that claimed they are able to treat patients that other clinics can't. The ad also said that no other UK clinic can match Accuvision's treatment. The ASA looked into the complaint, and refused to uphold it because Accuvision proved that its claims are true. Accuvision has treated a huge number of people refused by other clinics - including Ultralase! So Accuvision really does provide unmatched treatment! Definitely worth knowing when you're trying to decide between clinics!!

I am booked in for my initial consultation on 10th February 2003 and if all goes well, I shall book in for the operation as soon as I can be fitted in. I am just a bit concerned about the fact that the person who took my call, was abrupt, unfriendly and not at all helpful. She didn't even want to do any more than take my number initially and have someone call me back. Then she seemed to change her mind and said "wait a moment" - yelled down the line in an irritated fashion. She was even shorter with me as she made me repeat everything I said, right down to my postcode! Having read the rave reviews on this site, I am hoping that mine was a one off so far as dodgy encounters go, with the staff of Accuvision. Hope the rest of the set up is more professional though. I shall post again when I have seen them and made up my mind about the operation.

I had Wavefront LASIK done 10 days ago at Accuvision. I did a lot of research in advance - I have a PhD in engineering, so probably had a slightly keener interest in the technology. I looked into Wavefront LASIK (which gives a custom correction based on your complete optical system) over a year ago, and decided it was too much in its infancy. However, now the technique seems to be well understood and the results much more predictable than in the early days. Wavefront is available elsewhere (Sunderland Eye Clinic or Site for Eyes, Manchester Centre for Vision) but the kit differs greatly, and the devil is in the detail. The two key things are the laser that Accuvision use (visit ww.ophthalmic.lumenis.com) and the Tscherning aberrometer. These are the most advanced for various reasons and I believed are at the point of diminishing returns in terms of detectable effect on the outcome. The laser spot is small, the eye tracking is fast, the treated area is large (so you don't get a blurred image bypassing the treated area when your pupil is dilated creating a halo) etc. etc. Added to all that, the treatment is friendly, sympathetic, patient and comfortable. The place is run also by the proprietor Darius who takes a tremendous interest in the treatment of every individual. As a result you do feel treated individually, rather than being on a production line. The operation is undoubtedly rather nerve-wracking. Mild pain/discomfort, but better than having a filling done, and over quicker. Once the first eye is done, you will not be worried about the second. My corrected vision was 6:3 in my left and 6:4 in my right so I had high expectations. Post treatment, I already have 6:3 in both eyes although with a slight but reducing fluctuation in the left. Contrast sensitivity is fantastic - shiny objects appear brilliant. Night vision is excellent now though I had a lot of glare for the first week. No halos at all. Stars are bright pinpricks of light rather than spiky smudges. As for the people who write negative stuff about LASIK, well sure there were lots of circumspect outcomes in the early days but I think this technology has come of age. Besides, is it more likely that I will have problems in the future with my LASIK legacy or complications from 20 more years of continued contact lens wear? As for the cost, yes it's more expensive, but whatever you do don't make a decision based on cost. If you can't afford to do it properly then don't do it at all - these are your eyes.

I had my Accuwave Lasik treatment last Wednesday (15th) and I had high expectations, which I'm glad to say have not been let down! The day after the procedure I could read all the 20/20 lines on the chart and my vision seems to be getting clearer and clearer every day. It cost £3000 for both eyes, I think the price of the procedure depends of the strength of prescription and complexity of the operation (sensitive eyes, thin corneas etc). The procedure is not exactly pleasant but well worth it, I found it really quite uncomfortable but no pain and I would do it again so it can't have been that bad! I'm quite a young Lasik patient at 21, neither did I have a high prescription (it was nearly entirely astigmatism) but I've been wearing glasses and contacts since I was 5 or 6 this was the first time I ever went to the opticians, as far as I know I might never have had perfect vision. I know the procedure costs more than average but it's the only technology of it's kind in the UK and I think that's worth paying for! I am happy to reply to emails if anyone wants to hear more about the whole thing! Liz :-)

I had my surgery already on 09October last year. My vision was not very bad (ca -1.75 on both eyes, but with astigmatism 2.25 on the left eye), but I had to wear glasses at all times( I first was prescribed glasses at age 14 and at the time of my operation I was 38). After researching the internet, I decided to go to Accuvision-both because of the good ratings they received by patients, but I also had a look on their website which I found very informative. I found that they describe everything in detail and that they mention every possible aspect. The first consultation was very good and detailed, it took more than one hour. During the operation, the team was very helpful, the nurse even held my hand which was good as even with all that information ( my mum had even read somewhere that laser-eye-surgery was 99% successful) I was very scared!! The operation, as predicted, did not hurt at all. I could go home after surgery. I felt a bit uncomfortable for ca 3-4hours, then I opened my eyes- and I could see so well! It actually took me a few weeks to NOT look for my spectacles in the morning, and I had to remind myself constantly that I don't need to wear them. In fact, I can see better now than I used to with spectacles. I am very glad that I did it, and I would advise everybody who considers the operation, not to wait too long. I have noticed that IN GENERAL the prices for operations have gone up recently. I believe that you will not regret taking that step.

I am going to reiterate what 99% of people have already said about the team at Accuvision. As a health care professional myself, I know the difference between bad, good and excellent care and what I experienced last Tuesday at my consultation was superb. All the team certainly know what they are talking about, they explain everything thoroughly and without pressure, it is one of the best examples of informed consent I have experienced. Unlike many other people with comments on this site I do not have a strong prescription (-1.25 both eyes) or high astigmatism. I still however have to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time if I want to see clearly so it is just as much an issue whether you have a high or low prescription! I trawled the internet for hours upon hours doing my research on laser eye surgery and decided that Accuvision sounded the best in terms of professionalism, technology, results and customer feedback. I didn't even bother having a consultation with any other clinics. As said before a million times, you cannot put a price on your eyesight. During my consultation, it was discovered that even though my prescription was very straightforward, I had very poor night and low light vision (which could partly explain my deep hatred of working night shifts!!) . If I was treated with normal LASIK treatment, I could end up with poor clarity of vision even though I may not need glasses/contacts. By using Wavefront guided lasik, the team at Accuvision are confident they will improve all aspects of my vision. After what I heard Vik and the team explain, there is no way I would even contemplate having lasix conventionally. As for the price.....I thought that due to my mild prescription the price wouldn't be too much more than prices quoted at other clinics, but because I still require the personalised Wavefront guided treatment it will still cost me £3600..now I was a little shocked at that, especially on my poor nurses wage!, however its the only way to go for me. I have booked in for treatment next week (22nd) and am confident I will be receiving the best treatment from a team who really know what they're talking about. I shall update you following surgery next week!!! Claire

Booked into Accuvision for an assessment next Monday the 20th Jan. Chose these as they have the best rating, have Wavefront Technology and look a proffesional set up. Is anyone aware of other clinics that offer Wavefront? as Accuvision look expensive, although I am prepared to pay for the best treatment. I believe that the Birkdale Clinic may do, any experiences here?