Advanced Vision Care

I had my 6 week post op check up with Mr Pillai yesterday. I had 20/20 vision and a zero prescription-it doesn’t get any better than that. My original prescription was -7.5 in both eyes, I had worn glasses or contact lenses (which I had been wearing since I was 16) and I started to seriously consider laser eye surgery. Wearing glasses permanently was just not an option.

I had thought about laser surgery on and off through my thirties but was keen to get either a personal professional recommendation. Neither seemed to be forthcoming, so I did not pursue it. Mr Pillai and Advance VisionCare were recommended to be my friend of a friend who is a optometrist. I contacted the clinic, received the information pack and duly made an appointment for my initial consultation. A trouble free and friendly process.

I had an extensive assessment with the optometrist and followed by a dilated pupil examination and discussion with Mr Pillai. I had done very little independent research at this stage so I was probably did not take advantage of the fact that I could of asked Mr Pillai many questions, probably not the right way to do it. However, he thoroughly explained the procedure, my prescription and the sort of results I could expect. I left feeling sufficiently confident to book surgery the following week. Your pupils remain dilated for several hours following the examination- I found this the most uncomfortable element of the whole process. It was a bright sunny day which did not help. The light sensitivity was so intense that my partner had to walk me to his office to sit in a darkish corner for a couple of hours- I also felt a bit disorientated and nauseous. It wore off completely after 4 hours.

You are given a couple of documents that you are require to sigh prior to surgery. One details a fairly comprehensive list of possible complication; this was a useful starting point for me for my own independent research. In the week between the initial consultation and the surgery I did a huge amount of research, mainly online. I read the clinics Healthcare Commission report, many discussion forums, websites and competing clinic, articles in professional publications, articles on the laser technology itself etc etc. Over the course of the week I progressed from feeling quite anxious and wondering what I had done to feeling quite calm and reassured that I had picked a highly experienced Surgeon, a well managed clinic and the most up to date and reliable equipment.

I had surgery at 9am on Saturday morning. The welcome at the clinic was warm and reassuring. I did feel anxious-only natural, I think. I had decided not to have the valium which is offered-I was concerned that I would feel woozy and unwell afterwards. Mr Pillai, was keen however that I have it and I did. There were no after effects and I was not aware of it affecting mat at the time. I had a few outstanding questions prior to surgery which Mr Pillai answered fully.

You are then taken into the laser suite, fully gowned-glasses removed for the last time! Mr Pillai, the laser technician and two nurses await you. The laser suite is quite aggressively air conditioned and I found it quite chilly. You lie down and the laser is positioned above you.

Anaesthetic drops are applied to your eyes and the eye clamp is attached. I didn’t feel this at all and you have no sensation of your eyes being clamped back. Your eye and the surrounding area is cleaned. The suction cap is applied to your eye. Pressure is applied, and the flap is cut. This is the cleaned. The suction cap is applied to your eye. Pressure is applied, and the flap is cut. This is the bit I liked the least-more to do with what was going on in my head “eek my eye is being cut” rather than any physical sensation. Mr Pillai talks to you all the time and tells you what is going on. The creation of the flap took less than 30 seconds. The flap is the turned back and your vision goes blurry. You have to keep your head very still and the laser goes to work-50 seconds in all for my prescription. The laser is applied in burst about 4 in all and the technician counts down the time so you know how long there is o go. This part of the experience is a bit surreal-you have to look straight ahead at a pattern of light –red and green-it’s a bit like a combination of a child’s spinorgarh and a laser show at a fat boy slim gig. There was a slight smell like when you singe your hair and with the first eye I could see a faint whisper of “smoke” rising up from the eye that was lasered. Very surreal! The flap is then smoothed back in place and the bandage contact lens put in. Then the same process with the second eye. This tome I couldn’t see anything as I think a patch had been taped over the done eye.

When I sat up I could see. It was a little hazy, but I could see my partner in the next door, watching. I then rested with a cup of tea and after about 20 minutes Mr Pillai tested my eyes which were already at driving standard (not that I drove at this stage). We then went back to the hotel, which is comfortable and rested for a few hours. I had no after effects whatsoever; no redness, no itchiness, no burning, no watering-in fact my eyes had not felt so comfortable in along time. We went out and had a nice lunch and I just spent the time gazing around-saying “I can see that…” or “I can see this…” It was so exciting. I felt well enough to go to a football match in the evening- it was brilliant even though lost!
For the first week following surgery you are provided with anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic eyedrops which you use 4 times a day. During the course of Sunday, my eyesight became a little blurrier. I was not worried as I had read during my research that the drops can cause the bandage lens to blur. As my surgery was on a Saturday I was wearing the bandage lens longer than might otherwise have been the case. At my check 24 check up on the Monday Mr Pillai removed the bandage lens and my vision improved dramatically. I was 98% of my best corrected vision at that stage. One week later I was -0.3 in one eye and -0.1 in the other and today I am 0.0 in both! It is a miracle.
I do have some dryness in my eyes now, particularly first thing in the morning and increasingly in the evening. Artificial tear drops help with that and it should improve. My very nearsight is blurred – having been able to see things clearly a couple of inches away I now cannot – but I can see to read, use the PC and I can see for miles and miles.I cannot recommend AVC and Mr Pillai highly enough. He is a very jovial, yet highly professional man. He is able to put you immediately at ease. His staff are friendly, welcoming and make you feel like an individual – not like another cheque to be processed.

The service was always on time and to an excellent standard. Everything was explained to me clearly and all questions were answered.. Hopefully I will now be able to apply for the police as my eyes how exactly meet to requirements. So far the treatment I have received has been excellent and I would not hesitate to recommend who is interested to Advance VisionCare.

Totally painless and relaxed procedure from start to finish, I would definitely not hesitate in recommending Advance VisionCare to anybody-my only disappointment is that I didn’t have the treatment sooner!

The whole process was done very smoothly and professionally. All the staff were very helpful and courteous. The operation itself was very quick and surpassingly painless. I felt only minor discomfort, briefly during the operation and have felt no pain or discomfort at all since the operation itself. I can not recommend the procedure highly enough.

Overall outstanding level of service

An excellent service at every stage-well done

The service from beginning to end was excellent. What made me feel comfortable was the fact that I met all the people that took part in the laser treatment beforehand, so by the time I went in I felt very comfortable with them all. Everyone was very friendly and made the whole experience worthwhile. I would defiantly recommend Advance VisionCare for service price and customer care.

Advance VisionCare made me feel completely at ease about going ahead with laser eye surgery. Every member of staff that I encountered was very knowledgeable. On the day of my surgery, I didn’t feel very nervous because I had read all the literature that AVC provided, 2 of my friends were allowed to come with me, and the staff were ready and welcoming when I arrived. The actual procedure was quick and pain free, and I was able to drive without glasses the very next day.

Before making the appointment I did what research I could on both clinic and staff and felt confident about coming along for a chat, the staff make you feel very welcome and comfortable. On the day of treatment I felt a little nervous of the unknown-but I need not have worried. The logistics were well organised and the staff very helpful. There were 4 of us booked for the same treatment on the same afternoon-which was great because we were able to chat and support one another. The treatment itself was fine. I would put it on a similar level as a trip to the dentist. The other patients and I was staying at the same hotel during our stay. The next morning it was back to Harley Street for a check-ups and then home. The results are great no glasses or lens! The staff set good and honest expectations of the results and, for me, these have definitely been met. The sight will continue to settle over the next few weeks.

Every aspect of the treatment was made more comfortable by the calming nature and professionalism of the team. From the initial consultation, to meeting the surgeon, having surgerey and aftercare-Advance VisionCare were excellent. Big thank you for the great results and life without glasses! Thanks you.