Optical Express

I have just had laser treatment with another laser clinic for a special offer price and it seems these things are just part of seasonal marketing campaigns. The same company even sent me an offer to go in a prize draw to receive a free treatment if I booked a consultation. at first I was a bit unsure about this as after all its your eyes dam it!!!!!!!!!!!!! But on reflection its just sales and advertising, boots have advertised as much as any of these clinics and this is just another type of promotion. On the comparison of technology I think you should do it anyway regardless of the price. I checked out the technology from the clinics I phoned and found that the Technolas 217 ( I think Maxivision use that one too) is very highly rated by the American FDA and is used by many as the benchmark. Finally as other postings on this site have also stated its very important to find out about your surgeon, about his general experience as well as Laser experience so contact the General Medical council about your guy see what they say. If at the end Boots seem best then go with them but I think that now with more companies doing this treatment I think between £900 -£1800 is a reasonable price £2500 seems a bit pricey, good look whoever you choose don't forget to post and let us know how you get on.

I had quite severe astigmatism in my left eye only, my right eye being nearly perfect, which I am told is quite an unusual prescription. Essentially my left eye's only purpose was to make my face symmetrical. I went for the surgery on 17th September. Literally the second after the op was finished, at the Glasgow clinic, I was aware that my vision was sharper. The staff at the clinic are excellent, very re-assuring, which in itself inspires confidence. I went for the first check up today, 18th September, and the optician seemed genuinely surprised how much my eye had improved after one day. I found the procedure uncomfortable, although not painful. I certainly had some mild pain and discomfort afterwards, but it passed within a few hours I didn't go anywhere else for a consultation prior to getting this done, but I read about other places on this site who carried out a fairly quick initial assessment. The Eye Clinics assessment lasted nearly 2 hours. This thorough approach inspired a good degree of confidence, and if you're thing about letting someone stick a ray gun in your eye I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place.

I have just had surgery at the Manchester clinic and I am so pleased. I had my consultation in Liverpool which was fantastic. I had no idea Maxivision had so many clinics to receive a consultation and aftercare. I thought I would have to go to Manchester for it all. I am amazed at Maxivision's surgery centre, especially with the viewing window my husband could watch from. That put me at ease beacuse I knew they had nothing to hide if people could watch. Straight after the treatment I could see as if I had my contacts in, although my eyes were a little watery. One week on and I just can't believe I waited so long to have it done. I would say to anyone - go for it. I had a brilliant surgeon and the staff are so warm and friendly.

I went to Maxivision through my friend telling me to go. I was really sceptical as I play the guitar and didn't want anything to go wrong! I am amazed at the results and like the lady before me (Jenny) said, what an amazing surgery centre. My girlfriend watched and I did feel at ease. The staff are great and most of all I can play my guitar without glasses or contacts.

Amazing - I had mine done 2 years ago, -3.5 to perfect vision in 24 hours day. Excellent after care and op itself is painless. 2 years on, eye sight is absolutely perfect.

Having worried myself silly over LASIK procedure, my colleague Mark Hope (see his review below)was never in doubt that I should proceed (I was circa -5.0 in both eyes) From Day 1, this clinic were highly professional and efficient. I personally could nor care less if Mr Williams is "grumpy", "angry" or any of the seven dwarfs ! - He is one the best out there..FACT My Surgery was March 27 2002 - and with not the slighest side effect, I was told at 3 mths post operative that I am 20/15…LASIK changes your life and of course is a big deal, I agree…So its simple, go to 22 Harley St to get the best.

I first considered LASIK several years ago, but was always told I couldn't have it due to my high presecription in my left eye (-6.5D short sight with -5.25 astigmatism). I discovered during July that Moorfields would be able to do it. Then a friend had the proceedure at the Milton Keynes branch of the Eye Clinic. Right from the start I was impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail.The long and short of it was I had my op last friday (28th Sept). Having weighed up the pros and cons of the op (and dismissed most of the adverse comments about it from some US web sites) I went ahead. The op itself was straighforward though a tad scary ! It was all over in a matter of minutes. Things started off as though I was looking through a dilute milk solution, which quickly cleared.The next morning I could see my clock from the bed (never experienced that before) and all the bricks on the houses 100yds away ! On the post-op visit to the clinic I could already see far better than the legal driving standard. I had a minor complication on the day of the op, which resulted in them putting a contact lens (bandage) in for 3 days. That came out today, and I now have near 20/20 vision, albeit things are still blurry from time to time, and reading is still quite difficult for more than a few minutes at a time. Two morals : Don't expect things to be perfect straightaway, and use the refresh drops AT LEAST as often as they say !

I had LASIK surgery on my eyes at the Reading clinic on Saturday 28th September and, in a word, I am delighted with the results. My prescription was -3.75 (L) and -4.75®, no astigmatism problem and, as regards the thickness of the cornea, it was well within limits. My vision had been stable at this prescription for over 5 years. All in all, I was an ideal case for this treatment. To start with, whilst the people at the Cheapside clinic in London (where I work) were very polite and nice, I didn't think that they were as sharp as I expected in terms of customer service. However, all was arranged reasonably well in the end. My big gripe is that I did consider having the treatment at Shaftesbury Avenue. I was told that they had a special rate with a local hotel - £99 per night. Apparently, the walk-in price is £129 so no great saving there. My gripe? Well, other people had been offered the hotel free of charge (or had their bill paid for them). For the money these clinics charge, it is shameful that they still feel the need to treat customers so unfairly (and thereby put themselves in a poor light). And so to Reading. No-one got back to me regarding the surgeon, Mr Kheterpal, by the way. On arrival, I was greeted really nicely and looked after well (the staff really gave the impression that they were glad you were there and couldn't do enough for you - well done to them!). I had a quick eye check of sorts and the admin stuff was sorted out. Then I was taken downstairs by Chris, a local Uni student who worked there on Saturdays - he was talkative, pleasant, very helpful and tried to put me at ease. Then I met Lisa, my carer. Again, you couldn't have ased for a nicer person. She did go on about me being able to hold her hand through the surgery, with me thinking why I (reasonably macho etc etc) would ever feel the need to hold hands. Ha! (Lisa, thanks, hope I didn't squeeze your hand too hard, you were great!) Mr Kheterpal was next on the scene and went through the procedure carefully, probed my understanding and took his time to answers questions and correct my understanding. After another eye test, I put on the various bits and Lisa led me into the laser room. I was then sat on the chair, the back reclined fully, me aligned(!) and then the chair (a bed at this stage) was swung under the laser. Some anaesthetic drops were inserted, the flap was cut and folded back and the laser took 31 secs ® and 24 secs (L). Altogether about 10 minutes?? It was very clinical and precise with Mr Kheterpal's assistantscontinously monitoring readouts etc. I got the feeling these people really knew their stuff! I went home, armed with sleeping pills and a plastic cap over my eyes (to avoid me rubbing my eyes). Wore my sunglasses too as I left the clinic but my eyes were not terribly light sensitive. Didn't need sleeping pills or painkillers at all. My eyes didn't even feel gritty (although with the nerve ends have been blitzed by the laser, that didn't mean my eyes weren't dry - do make sure you p[ut the drops in very frequently). My sight? Pretty good even on Saturday. On Sunday, I had better than 20-20 vision and its settling down nicely so very very happy. As for night vision, no halos, double vision, glare etc. However, there is probably a bit more fuzziness around streetlamps than before but hoping this will revert to original levels as the eyes settle down.

I telephoned Optimax, Ultrlase and Boots as well as Maxivision, and Maxivision are the only people I found who actually gave personal service. Boots passed me from pillar to post and the others were answering machines. That is what made me choose Maxivision straight away. I have been for my consultation and found Maxivision to be very honest about my expectations. I am due to have surgery in two weeks but am at ease knowing they will be there to answer any more questions I have.

Went for a consultation saw Darcy. My eyes -7.5 and only LASIK suitable. Given a good taliking to by beth and andrew, fairly happy. Next day darcy calls to explain that I need to see a specialist due to my pupils being different sizes and cancelled my surgery. I subsequently spoke to a few people and am now investigating zyoptix which seems to give better results and copes better with a thinnish cornea like one eye