Optical Express

I had lasik done on 2 April at the Maxivision clinic in London and have been very pleased with the results. The procedure itself was not painful at all (the sedative is a good idea!), I only experienced some stinging in my eyes during the evening after the surgery - the following day was fine. Maxivision staff are very helpful and answer any questions you may have. Have just had my one week check up and was reassured to be told everything is fine. Up until then I was worried that something could have gone wrong but now I am feeling more relaxed about it. I wish Maxivision had a local clinic where I could get my check ups done on the Isle of Wight as the travelling is a pain (and expensive) but I guess you can't have everthing. Good luck to anyone thinking of going to Maxivision. If I am typical of their patients you won't have any complaints.

I had lasik on Thursday 10th April in Manchester with Mr Aziz. I was long sighted with some astigmatism. Before the surgery, I was using monovision contact lenses so that I could see both into the distance and read. My lenses were +5 and + 3.5.... so you'll realise that my eyesight wasn't too good! Today is Monday 14th and I am sitting at my friend's computer - no glasses - and my 1 week check up is days away! Apparently when you are long sighted, your vision improves for up to a couple of weeks - can't imagine it could get any better than this. Delighted? Ecstatic! I was concerned about having the surgery, as I have been 'reading round it' for almost a year and read about both good and bad results, the complications etc. Deciding whether to take the risk or not is a very personal decision, but I have to say, that having made the decision to go ahead, I was so impressed by the professionalism of all of the Maxivision staff, both pre and post op, that I am posting this comment as a way of saying thankyou for a job well done. I know I have been one of the lucky ones and I am truly grateful for the wonderful gift of being able to see clearly for the first time in as long as I can remember (very much over 21!). Thanks too to Mr Khan for the quick turn around when I arrived for my 1 day check-up, too early.....I was in Debenhams shopping when it opened at 9.30! Thanks....Fiona

Its now almost 6 months since i had the op. My eyes are perfect, can see everything i could with aided vision! its amazing how many people now i have had the op and were scepitcal to start with are now considering or having the op themselves. I cannot thank maixvision enough. one small point and i dont wish to piss too many people off but if your in no rush to have the op, make some enquiries with maxivision, get on there mailing list and see what offers they come up with over a period of time. Last december i had both eyes operated on for less than £1000 total. i believe they do regular offers in quiet periods (summer and particularly close to christmas). best wishes to anyone having the op and if anyone wants to ask my advise please email me as i was reassured by others from this site before my op.

I have had a brochure from Maxivision for some time now and heard they had been taken over. I called to find out what was going on, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it has basically made them part of a much larger company. I live in Glasgow and instead of having to travel to Manchester, which was my main concern, I can have the surgery in Glasgow. It was my freind who originally recommended me and she is still having aftercare treatment. Although she has had to move location for her aftercare the eye clinic she has visited is superb and the aftercare fantastic. She was concerned at first about moving to a different optician but has found everything to be superb.

I too have just visited an eye clinic for my aftercare but can't conmplain. Their facilities are excellent and although I have had to travel a little further I felt totally at ease with the Optician I saw. I can imagine some people being upset if it is alot further, but I think it is worth it. I think the fact I can see perfectly without my contacts is the best feeling I have had. A few extra miles for aftercare, which isn't that often is worth it for not wearing contacts anymore.

Had my surgery on Friday 16 May 2003 at the Shaftesbury avenue branch. My prescription in my right eye (the one I had done) was -5.25 before surgery and +0.25 after my third check up on Thursday 22 May 2003. I am very pleased with the results and the staff and surgeon were very attentive. The waiting time is very long though and you have to be prepared to be there for at least half a day! This is to ensure that they check all the equipment thoroughly before each patient. A word of warning though, if you prescriptions are very different in each eye and you are going to do both eyes at some stage, but not together on the same day, be aware that you may experience double vision, which I was not warned about - but this is no fault of the Eye Clinic. I have now booked to have my other eye done in June.

I had my Lasik treatment in April in London. The surgeon and nurses were very professional and personal. They ensured I was 'comfortable' each step of the way. I was offered the choice of taking the valium tablet before hand which I did; consequently, I was relaxed during the operation but able to concentrate so that I hardly moved my eyes. The surgeon said it went very well. (During the op it is best for you and the surgeon if you relax, don't be too nervous and don't move your eyes!) Strangely, I found the smell from the laser (though quite normal) the most disconcerting. My eyes were not so sore or red afterwards but I believe that just depends on the individual; I was lucky. Now, I am doing well. My eyes are great. I trusted the surgeon and I did everything I was told to do. I could see straight away but mostly kept my eyes closed. My eyes have got better as time goes and I also go for the regular post-op check-ups. I still don't rub my eyes and I make sure I don't get dust in them. I am glad I had this treatment and believe it was money well spent. However I also know I didn't have to have it done - it was not for health reasons. I took the risk and, for me it paid off. I hope what I have written will help those who are thinking of having it done...and good luck. My criticism would be that although the surgeon and nurses were excellent, the people that manned the help lines, receptionists and counsellors could do with Alot more training. For me, they seemed the least helpful when I wanted my questions answered and their lack of professionalism did not inspire confidence in me at all. I almost decided not to go ahead with it because of this - because in a way, it reflects (unfairly) on the whole clinic, including the surgeon and nurses. Most of the time, they seemed too busy to give any personal attention and that made me feel uncared for. And this was the case even after my op. I also did not appreciate or find amusing the insensitive 'bring your blind dog with you' remark by someone on the help line. Your eyes are the only ones you've got and for someone In the 'business' making blind jokes before one is going in for an eye operation is really not on. I hope this information will help improve the kind of service provided.

Had my eyes done - finally but that delay due to the Maxivision fiasco not Eye Clinic - Fri 30th May. Yesterday had my wk check up - am 20/20 with potential to be better (eyes seeing 3 lines below 20/20 but at moment not firm focusing). My old vision was 5.75 and 6 shortsighted so very happy. Surgery was strange but not painful and I did not need relaxant as sooo releived to finally get there to have them done - third time lucky.Afterwards eyes watered like crazy and was light sensitive - take sunglasses/cap to shield eyes but not tiny glasses as they need to go over your eyeshields but no pain or grittyness once anesthic drops wore off. Went to sleep as advised and vision much improved and by next day seeing similar to what I do now a week later. Kept sunglasses on inside and out for Saturday/Sunday and Monday - Monday was because I went back to work and have to work a lot with computers and the glare made my eyes feel a little stressed not due to light sensitivity. The sunglasses seem to have aided my vision settling a lot - well that's what a good pair of Oakleys do for you. Only problems is slight halos at night but nothing too bad and acceptable and my right eye slightly dryer than left but as I did the drops as recommended - the Refresh drops hrly for first wk - nothing I can't cope with and only as dry as my eyes got after wearing contacts for a day. The service from Eye clinic exeptional and will recommend to everyone interested in surgery. They recognise you when you go for checkups as well so very personal service which makes you feel even more secure with entrusting your eyes to them. Will update when had the mth checkup

Had my enhancement on 30 May at Manchester and it was a lot more pleasurable than first time because i took the valium and felt far more relaxed. Staff were as lovely and caring as ever during the actual procedure which didnt take long as i only had the left eye done. Went for 1 week check up today and it is doing fine. The right eye enhancement will have to be done in a month as there is a slight prescription there, and it is below the legal driving limit. The only moan I have is having to travel from Liverpool to Manchester 3 times in the last week but The Eye Clinic are now training up staff for the Liverpool clinic which will be much easier for me to get too. Eye been slightly dry but nothing too severe. Looking forward to getting other eye done and having perfect vision. Good luck to anyone due to have lasik. x

Forgot to say my treatment was through Southampton branch. I have emailed Michelle directly but happy to answer any queries on them as very impressed by the service