Optical Express

I had the initial consultation on 11/07/02 at the Milton Keynes site. Chris Gascoigne performed the tests and was very thorough and professional throughout. It turns out I will only need surgery in my right eye as my prescription is -1.25 for right and -0.25 for left. He also explained that due to my hobbies of martial arts PRK would be the best choice. It took me about 12 hours before my pupils returned to their normal size after being dilated and I did suffer badly with light, so take sunglasses!! I went back 21/07/02 to have a contact lens put in my right eye, which I’m now wearing for 10 days to see if my left eye adjusts to not requiring glasses. I’ve never worn contacts before but again the staff were very friendly and patient in showing me how the wear them, and if this is a glimpse as to how I will see when I’ve had the surgery I can’t wait! My surgery is booked in for 16/08/02 with Mr Kumar so I will post back how it went. So far I have been extremely impressed with the service and feel very confident now about the surgery.

Just went today for my consultation, the staff there were really caring and informed. I have a weak prescription so initially they said PRK would be the way to go, but because I have large pupils and PRK only can cover a diameter of 6mm they have opted for LASIK, which I prefer even though it is scary that they actually cut your eye. After I have my op on the 8th of August I will add a comment on how it went.

I've just had my initial consulation (Reading branch). I was impressed by the setup, very professional. I'm scheduled for LASIK in a weeks time (15/08).

Had my laser treatment on the 8th and I was petrified, what had I done? I had signed a paper to say it was ok for someone to cut my eyes, fire a laser into them and if I was made blind that was fine (You have to do this for all clinics). On the day the surgeon said 1 in 100 cases flaps that are cut are inadequate and the patient will be sent home with no treatment being carried out, but your eyes will recover. 1 in 500 cases the flap is damaged and a scare will be left on the eye (figures nationally not from The Eye Clinic). All I could think at that time was get on with it, 20 minutes later it was over, the op had gone perfect and I could focus on objects far away (I was short sighted). The next day in the check up I was tested and I had 20/20 vision, but my near sight was a bit blurry (this is normal), four days later my near vision is nearly perfect. I am so happy I would definitely recommend using the eye clinic they are so friendly and professional. During the operation there were five people in the room, I have read some cases with other companies where there were only three. I also was assigned a personal nurse through the day which really put me at ease, and he really helped me through the op as I was s**t scared.

I have read other peoples comments on the Eye Clinic and they were surprised to find it looked like an opticians, well opticians normally check your eyes so that did not surprise me, and I assure you the operation theatre looked nothing like an opticians. All staff where wearing scrubs (if that’s the right word), and you had to go through a series of doors before you entered the operation theatre, it was 100% professional, I wish all hospitals I have been to were as hygienic; I really felt secure.

I know I have written more than usual, but if you are like me having laser treatment is a big thing. If you are considering the treatment e-mail me, I might be able to settle your nerves, no promises. Laser treatment is a risk, and to be truthful I believe most clinics are similar in standard, just make sure they have the most advanced machinery, for instance I am sure I moved my eyes by accident during the op, but the computer targeting the laser corrected for this. When I go back for my week check up I will find the names of the staff involveds in the op, though all staff during my contact with the clinic have been excellent.

I have just returned from my consultation at Maxivisions London clinic and I have to say that I was extremely impressed!! Not only with the staff and the facilities but just generally in the way that everything was organised. I had read various comments on this site for various companies and as a result opted for two consultations with two different clinics. I realise that not every company can have nothing but excellent comments but on the whole I was left very impressed by the professionalism displayed at all times by Maxivision. And have decided to proceed with LASIK in three weeks (I can’t wait)... Just a short note re: Tricia's comments below on the £30.00 thing! I made sure given some of the comments on the site that I double checked this £30.00 thing with them before booking. And the explanation I got was that the Consultation with a Maxivision Counsellor is free! But the eye test with the Optometrist carries a £30 cost. If you're suitable it's refunded against your surgery as is the case for me!! If you're not suitable it's non refundable...I AGREE IT'S NOT INITIALLY AS CLEAR AS IT COULD BE, BOTH MY SISTER & COUSIN HAVE BOOKED AND IT HAS BEEN MADE CLEAR TO THEM! But then as you say and as this site shows maybe not all staff make customers aware of these situations. I generally was very happy with Maxivision and based on my experience would recommend anyone to them, at least 3 of the companies i called for consult just wanted to send me a brochure!! And getting answers to my questions was like mining for gold!! However I spoke to Mary at Maxivision and she couldn’t have been more helpful she even called me back when she said she would!!! Outstanding!!

I have been for my consultation at the Southampton clinic for LASIK and have now made an appointment to have the surgery for Friday 23rd Aug. The staff and clinic were very professional and I have to say much more impressive than a clinic I went to in London about a year ago. I will add my post op comment ina couple of weeks time....that's if I can see!!!!

I was originally scheduled for 11:30 (Reading) but a couple of days before it was changed to 1:30. I arrived on time and was looked after very well by Raj. Sent my wife shopping and. They had to redo the test that gets a picture of you cornea. Finally I get to see the Surgeon (Huda), she rechecks my eyes and is happy. Well almost, the thickness of my cornea is just on the limit for the prodcedure, a couple of extra checks and we agree that LASIK should be done. The op went very well, the only uncomfortable part is the device that cuts the flap, it didn't hurt but felt strange. Huda tested my eyes, it was better then the legal driving spec. Went home, took the sleeping tablets and slept until about 7 in the morning. Vision now seems perfect! No dryness or irritation.

Just an update on my eyes.

Went for a check up today and they said they were healthy, the flap was sealing well, but they were a bit dry so I need to use the drops more often (about every two hours, thing is I cycled to the clinic so I most probably dried my eyes out anyway). After testing my eyes I have slightly better than 20/20 vision, of course that is just a standard and people can have far greater than 20/20, but at least now I can fly a plane!!

Forgot to get surgeons name, will get next time.

I also agree wich Steve, the cutting of the flap is the worst bit, it doesn't hurt but you know what it's doing.

I had PRK surgery on my right eye , at the Milton Keynes clinic on friday 16th.
The whole experience was great. There were 2 personal carers , both Beths!, that looked after the 5 of us due for surgery that afternoon , the waiting room is very relaxing and the pre-op nerves soon went. Had a chat with Mr Kumar before the procedure , he rechecked my eye and explained what would happen , said PRK is a non surgical procedure in the sense that the laser does all the work , gave me some valium and i went and waited for my turn. When my turn came round the carers prep'd my eyes by washing them , and then into the laser room itself. There were 5 or so people around and the setup is just like a state of the art dentist chair! The laser used is a Star VISX S3 , its rated as the joint best in the world at the moment , has radar tracking which stops the worry of involuntary eye movement during the surgery , very reassuring. Numbing drops were put in my eye and the clamp inserted , coudnt feel but was aware of it. The surgeon talked to me the whole time explaining what was happening and the carer was beside my always. The first bout of the laser was 25 seconds which removed the epithelium. The eye watered a hell of a lot and i found it hard to focus on the red dot , and felt like i wanted to close my eye but couldnt due to the clamp , very strange feeling! Oh and the smell , like burning hair...Then the laser did 6 seconds of actual correction!Aferward a contact lense (non-prescription) was inserted to act as a protective shield while the epithelium regrows (and it does from the back of the eye forward , not from side to side so it cant grow over the lense!) , i was given my pack of drugs :-) and sent home to sleep...or try to sleep , my eye was SO sensitive to light , even with sunglasses , dark room it was too bright. I took my sleeping tablet and ibuprofen (buy some ready cos you only get paracetomal from the clinic) and just laid there for about 4 hours..my eye watered a lot the first night and there was discomfort , not so much actual painn but the annoyance of not being able to stop it ie touch the eye..took another sleeping tablet after 4 hours and crahsed out until the morning , woke up with no pain whatsoever! over the weekend my eye stopped weeping , and the eyelid puffiness went down. By the monday i could focus and noticed a big improvement and every morning after a nights sleep from then on its been getting better. I had my first check on the saturday morning and things were looking good , then i went back on the wednesday to have the contact removed , and my right eye was reading 20/20 level! The sensitivity has improved and ive been able to do night driving already. I had my 3rd checkup last sunday and am reading better than 20/20 now , my eye has regrown the epithelium and is looking good. Im over the moon with the results so far and fingers crossed hope it will settle down just as well.
A big thumbs up to all the team at MK clinic - Mr Kumar the surgeon , 2 Beths my carers :-) , and the follow up opthomolgists , Mr Pilay,Mr Buchanan and Mr Gasgoine.

Notes - PRK isnt the horror story people make it out to be.
- You cant feel anything during the procedure but are aware of pressure on the eye etc.
- The smell , god the smell.
- Take the Refresh drops hourly , regardless of whether you need to. Just because...
- The antibiotics and Steroid drops (steroids stop the eye trying to heal itself with white blood cells as the eye thinks its damaged after the procedure)
taste horrible! Sounds stupid but your eyes have tubing which joins upto the throat and can/do run down so dont eat just before taking them :-)
Sorry for going on and on , but this was/is a big deal for me and im sure the more you know about what happens the better. If anyone is considering PRK and needs more details then drop me a mail...
Danny.

I went for my consultation on Saturday 24th August. I was very impressed with the thoroughness of the examination and the discussion with the counsellor. I had already pre-booked my surgery for the 5th September, but I have been advised to delay this until I come back off of holiday on the 11th October. I was very pleased the the counsellor reminded me that it can take up to 3 months for your eyes to heal and that going to Egypt may cause problems because of the dusty enviroment.

So far, I would definately give Maxivision the thumbs up. I feel that they have been very professional and informative.

I have now got my surgery booked for Friday 18th October, so I will let you know how I get on!