Moorfields Eye Hospital Private Clinic

Now 12 days since Lasik with Mr. Gartry. My sight continued to improve for the first seven days (see last posting for day 2). I was comfortable to drive after a few days and have experienced slight halos at night although nothing to cause a problem. The only side-affect left is dry eyes but I was warned by Mr. Gartry that this affects around 20% of patients. I'm using Minims Artificial Tears about every hour and this fixes the problem. They seem to be the cheapest without preservatives and are easily available from chemists. My vision gets slightly blurry when my eyes are dry (worse the morning after a few beers). Apparently the dry eyes will last around a month. I'm still not up to reading for long periods or using the PC for more than a few hours at a time. This continues to improve.

I had my Lasik in April with a prescription of approx -2.25 in both eyes. I did a lot of investigation prior to choosing Moorfields and basically chose them for the reasons usually cited...ie the consultants there are world class and likely to be of use if things did not go well. This was one occasion when I did not feel like economising. The surgery has been described often enough; indeed i felt as if I knew exactly what would be happening next ! Some reflections on Moorfields (Miss Ficker carried out my surgery) would include the following: They do NOT hold your hand...either physically or metaphorically. This is for people who do not want masses of reassurance and TLC. The service is brisk and matter of fact. I was kept waiting for a long time before the op but was stumbling down the street within about 15 minutes. Take someone with you! My sight did not improve instantly. The next day I could see outside for long distances very well but could not read at all which was scarey and my vision in artificial light was pretty poor for a couple of weeks. I now have almost no prescription, so a good result. However, my main issue with the care at Moorfields is the aftercare. One appointment the next day with a junior colleague who clearly had the remit 'check the flaps'. When I mentioned my inability to read he said 'Oh, maybe you will need reading glasses'. This isn't exactly wrong but he should have advised me to wait and allow things to settle instead of frightening me. The appointment lasted around 5 minutes and he was unable to answer my other questions. The next day I developed a scratching sensation in one eye and became worried so rang the numbers provided. there was no reply on 2 of them and i left a message on the 3rd. I didn't get to speak to someone until 5pm having trid all day. This advice was useful but too much trouble to obtain. The next time they want to see you isn't until 3 months and even then it is fairly hard to coordinate a time and date. All that said I am pleased with my results although the dryness can be a problem. One issue that I would welcome any advice on is that twice I have been away for weekends by the coast in hot conditions and despite wearing dark glasses and using the wetting drops my eyes have become very sore, red and irritated. As I am due to go for 2 weeks in the south of France next week this is a worry and would love to avoid this. If anyone can help please email me. I have found this site invaluable as a resource for information and support, in what has been a really big deal for me. I would have awarded 5 stars if the aftercare had been better.

I had Lasik treatment at Moorfields with Miss Ficker on 20th August after many years of thinking about it but being too scared just in case… It’s now been over a month and I’m really pleased. The initial consultation was professional as was the whole procedure on the day – it also helped to see another patient who’d just had it done saying how painless it was! It was painless but slightly surreal during the operation – I was glad of someone holding my hand and being reminded to start breathing again once it was done! I slept for a few hours once I got home and was then amazed at the clear long sighted view when looking over the garden. However TV was slightly blurred as was print. The follow up appointment the next day was very brief and I did feel rushed asking my questions but was told everything was as it should be (if very blurry). Over the first week I was slightly worried as I was finding reading print and the computer rather blurry with things getting worse in dim light or when going indoors. I did call and was advised to make sure I was using plenty of eye drops which I have been. After the second week, things started to improve just as I’d been told they would and now although I get slight blurring if I’m tired things are really good.

Update on my wavefront lasik, 18th Aug. Had my '1month' follow-up on the 24th Sept. everything fine. 6/5 in right eye, slightly better in left, am extremely happy with results, have had no problems whatsoever not even dry eyes. However, have awarded 4 stars not 5, as neither of my two follow-ups were with Mr. Gartry for one reason or another, which was a bit disappointing. At a cost of 4k I thought that I would have been guaranteed that at least, and it would have been nice to have been able to thank him personally.

I had Wavefront Surgery with Mr Garty at Moorfields on Sat 13 Sept. The operation itself was painless and apart from some minor discomfort and stinging that same afternoon, I can honestly say that the whole procedure was a doddle. The first week after the operation I was delighted with the results and could see perfectly clearly. It is now nearly a month since the surgery and I am concerned because my level of vision is getting worse not better. I am hoping this is just a case of waiting for things to heal and settle down and nothing more serious. Has anyone else had this experience and what was the outcome?

3 month results. Had Wavefront Lasik with Mr Gartry on 9th August 03. Was originally -5 (roughly) in both eyes, day after the op my vision was 'perfect' (read bottom line of eye chart etc). As of two months after the op my eyes have healed (perfectly well) but to -1 and -1.25. I noticed that I could no longer see a TV clearly across a room and road signs were more blurry. I saw Gartry 6 weeks after the op and he told me to get tested 3 months post op and get back to him. I guess he might suggest another op, I don't know. He said we had to wait at least three months to be sure which is fair enough. I now use specs for driving (like to see road signs well in advance!), but I don't need any day-to-day or for PC use. Having worn specs for 27 years its a great result - just not as perfect as I hoped. I am a little disappointed as other posters have reported healing to 'perfect' vision. However, it was made quite clear to me pre-op that the results were not guaranteed and I suppose if I had gone for a 'lesser' surgeon or hospital and got this result I would have always been wondering if I should have got better - at least I know I got the best I could find. So - if you are considering Wavefront - the freedom from glasses is great but perfect vision is not guaranteed. I would have no qualms recommending Moorfields or Gartry, very professional.

Surgeon: Mr. D. Gartry I Have just had eyetest at 3 month stage after having wavefront lasik surgery on the 18th August 2003. Results: +1.00 and -0.75 cyl in both eyes. Original prescription: -1.75, -1.50 cyl in Right, -2.25, -1.25cyl in Left. Seems they have been over corrected and still with some astigmatism, not sure if things are still healing or likely to change. Eyesight seems fine to me, and I don't need to wear glasses for reading, as yet, at 45 years old. MG.

I had Wavefront with Mr Gartry on 29 May. I went for my consultation with the intention of having standard LASIK but Mr Gartry made the Wavefront sound like the best option and said given the choice he would choose Wavefront. At another £1000 it was something I had to seriously consider but found it quite difficult to research information on, in fact this site was about the best I could find reading other peoples experiences. With several questions I wanted to ask I e-mailed them a week before my date of surgery and, to cut a long story short, I had to persistently ring and e-mail the practice manager to get my answers. In the end after an irate conversation the day before my surgery, I finally got the reply an hour before my journey South. It was very brief, told me no more than I already knew and even missed out a question on my family history. It was a very stressful experience when you're feeling nervous about the surgery anyway, and I would recommend you give plenty of time for any replies to questions you might have as the surgeons are very busy and only in the John Saunders Suite for a limited time in the week. Also bear in mind that even though you may have written down your questions for your consultation, when it comes to reading them with dilated pupils it's extremely difficult and offputting. As for my surgery, well it went extremely smoothly, albeit production like. Yes it was unpleasant but not in any way painful. I was rather re-assured to see 3 others have theirs done before me who were -10 and -11!! (I'm only -1.5 and -2 with astigmatism). Note: There is no time to ask many questions as you're straight in the chair, hat on and drops in and I signed the consent form on the Laser machine!! At my check up 3 days later (bank Holiday)I could read the bottom line (a bit blurry). Was able to walk back to Liverpool St and on the train home had some stinging. By the evening could see better than with my lenses. Found the drops OK, a bit sticky, but showering and sleeping with those goggles was very tricky, glad when the first week was over. I had slight dryness for the following few weeks and used refresh drops when needed but no other side effects, no glare or halos which I was fearing (that's why I finally chose Wavefront, at least I don't ask myself 'what if?'). Got my next check up in a couple of weeks. I get some very slight inbalance in focus, usually when I'm tired but it's still early days yet and much better than my vision I had with toric lenses, and I put up with those for years! Thanks to everyone who has posted their experiences on this site, I found it extremely helpful in my research and will recommend it to anyone who is considering surgery. Please contact me if you want advice. Regards Claire.

I had Wavefront LASEK on 27/01/05. I was very nervous but everyone was very helpful. I would like to ask, I am now into my third week and my vision is still very blurry. Will this get better ? Is there anyone out there who has had this recently who can advise ?

After having a consultation at a company in Harley Street, I felt more comfortable having my eyes checked by Moorfields. Since Moorfields specialises in eye surgery & research, I felt it would be the ideal place to place my vision & trust. I was recommended by several friends to see Mr. Julian Stevens. One friend in particular had recently had LASIK done by Mr. Stevens back in November with great results. I called Moorfields in Feb to book an appointment. With a reputation such as Mr. Stevens, it no wonder there is a waiting list. The earliest consultation was in June. They did various tests and confirmed my prescription was left eye is -8.00 (-6.00 -2.00 astigmatism), right eye is -8.25 (-6.00 2.25 astigmatism). I actually went to the consultation expecting to have LASIK done. Mr. Stevens told me I could have the LASIK done but was strongly advising me to have the LASEK treatment due a thin cornea. When I did my initial research all my questions were about the LASIK treatment & the complications with the flap. Mr. Stevens answered my queries about LASEK and reassured me the results would be the same. The only thing is that it is a longer healing process, so I would need to take a week off work. I had the operation on Friday the same week. It went really well, taking around 4mins each eye. No pain or discomfort during the surgery. The chair you lie on is really comfortable and the room is dark. Mr. Stevens has a sense of calm about him. By the end of the surgery, I could see clock on the wall. There was also bit of haze (ghosting), like looking through a steamed window. The nurse gave me drops to take every hour for the first week. After that week, I had another set of drops for week 2 & 3. The steroid drops do sting a little when I put them in, but it’s definitely worth it. I wore sunglasses after the surgery as the drops they use dilates your eyes. They said my eyes would be like that for a couple of days. I spent my week off work at home resting in a dark apartment. My vision was very blurry during this time. One eye was more blurred than the other. Both had a haze effect. They provided some goggles to wear at night to stop you from rubbing your eyes. After one week I was able to get round home quite comfortably. At both my checkups, Mr. Stevens told me my eyes were healing nicely. I was very impressed with Mr. Stevens when he took out the bandage contact lenses. Using tweezers, he took out the left lense with his left hand, then the right lense with his right hand. I didn't feel a thing. First week at work was a little difficult. I had to decrease the screen resolution to 1280x800 to read emails on a screen. I did find my sight improving when comparing from the vision from the previous Friday. The end of week 2 I was playing racquet sports wearing protective eyewear. I daring not have anything hit my eyes. I'm now on week 3 and my vision is so sharp, I am absolutely impressed. I can't even remember what its like to have bad vision now. I want to commend Mr. Stevens for all his hard work and being an easy person to talk to. I'm sure if was me hearing the same questions from all his patients it would drive me crazy. Thanks Mr. Stevens, it’s changed my life.