Optimax

I had my treatment on 2nd March 2007 - Femtosecond Lasik My glasses prescription was L +3.75 cyl -0.75 Ax 165 Reading +0.75 R +3.50 cyl -0.75 Ax 170 Reading +0.75 I was treated by Dr Ayoubi at the Reading clinic. There were a few delays on the day, I was booked in for 14:30 but my surgery didn't start until 15:45. I was called into the treatment room and lay in the dentist style chair between the two laser machines (the Femtosecond and the lasik laser... the gap between the two isn't very wide so mind your head). The numbing drops were put in my eyes and the eye-lid clip (which stop you blinking) was fitted, then the suction ring was applied to my left eye - Out of the whole procedure that was the most uncomfortable part. Although you can't really feel anything I could sense the suction on my eyeball - sort of felt like it was pinching and everything went dark. The chair is slid over into position under the Femto laser. I could see some blue lights at this point, and the machine was lowered down until it was resting on the suction ring. The Doctor tried to reposition my head a fraction - I didn't feel I could move it as the headrest on the chair seemed to be hugging my head. Dr Ayoubi was really very good and explained everything that was happening. He told me when the Femto laser was starting and he counted down as it was working. There was no noise, no sensation at all - I couldn't tell it was doing anything. Took about 60 seconds. After it was finished the laser was moved away and I was slid back to the central position (between the two machiens) and the suction ring was removed. The flap was lifted and my eye was wiped and I was positioned under the Lasik laser. Took a minute or so for the machine to be setup and then I was told to look at the red light (which I could only make out as a red smudge). This part of the treatment isn't painful but the noise of the laser (sort of clicking and an electrical noise like something shorting out) is a bit concerning and the smell isn't nice (reminded me of the smell when a piece of coal used to pop out of the fire and burn the carpet) - I tried to breathe through my mouth so I wouldn't smell it as much. It went on for about 60 seconds. After that my eyeball was wiped and rinsed and the flap was repositioned. I could see but it was a bit blurry. The same happened with my right eye. I felt better with this one as I knew what to expect. I would say the suction ring is really the worst part of it all. The Femto and the lasik laser were used as before and my eye was wiped off. I had two eye-guards fitted and was escorted to the recovery room for about 10 minutes and was given my Optimax pack (antibiotic drops, anti-inflammatory drops and Refresh drops, and instruction leaflets) before going in to see someone (I would imagine she is a qualified optician) who checked my eyes. She had to get Dr Ayoubi to double check as it looked like there was some 'debris' under the flaps. So, I had to go back into theatre (after about a half hour wait) and have the treatment area rinsed out on each eye (again, no pain at all, I didn't like the water running down the side of my head). Then back into the waiting room to wait to be checked again. This time I was given the all clear and let go home. When I got home I had something to eat and took the first of the 800mg slow-release Ibuprofen tablets and used the drops for the first time in each eye (which did sting a bit to start with) and went to bed about 7.30pm. I can't say I really slept as it felt like someone had put sand in my eyes but it wasn't as painful with my eyes closed. I got up around 11.30pm and had a cup of tea and used the drops again. The FML (anti-inflammatory) drops really helped ease the pain. Went back to bed and slept through until about 6am. My eyes still felt gritty but not nearly as bad. I wasn't sensitive to light, particularly. I used the drops every two hours (as directed) and went back in the afternoon for my check-up. I was given an eye test and was told that I may have been over-corrected (making me short sighted). I can't say that I was particularly upset by this as it meant I could read without glasses (infact I could see really tiny print like 'swiss made' on the front of my watch). I returned yesterday (Thursday) for my fortnight check up (it's just under a fortnight) and I've been told I'm still short-sighted but it's early days as your eyes can change a lot in the first couple of months. To be honest on Wednesday my eyesight seemed almost perfect as I could see things in the distance really clearly, too, so I'm hoping it will regress a bit (from short sighted towards long-sight) and maybe even end up 20/20. I would recommend Dr Ayoubi and the staff at Optimax in Reading and would also recommend having the Femtosecond (Intralase) as I think it's much better to rely on a laser-made flap than one cut with a blade.

Been for a consultation today in Manchester with Dr Hynes. Originally went in wanting lasik wavefront but advised that wavefront was not necessary. I am due to be zapped next week (Lasik). Consultation with Dr Hynes went really well and have every faith in him. Will keep you posted.

I was considering getting bi-lateral lasik (possibly with Femtosecond) at the Glasgow Optimax clinic. Does anyone have any experience of this clinic?

I had a consultation at Finchley Rd, London this weekend and was told to re-do a test AFTER my eyes had been numbed and dilated. I'm worried this may have affected my results and could possible do harm when I have my actual treatment done this coming Friday. The test I re-did was the one where you looked at a balloon and then red circles flashed in both eyes. Does anyone know if this is normal (to have a test done after your eyes are numbed & dilated) or if it could have had an adverse effect on the results?

The truth about laser eye surgery. Day 1, weds 7th march. I arrived at optimax in ipswich at just gone 10am, a little early for my appointment, but better to be early than late. I was seen pretty quickly which I was really pleased about, i was rather nervous so I wanted to get this over and done with. After the lady took a few pictures of the inside of my eye I was ushered back into to waiting room where I would "shortly have some more tests done" 1 and half hours later I was called for the next tests where I was told I would be suitable for epi-lasek and advised to have wavefront too. "great", I thought, and couldn't wait till 4pm to get them done. So, 4 pm came and went and I finally got called through at about 5.15pm. By this time I was getting bored of staring at the walls! The surgery was pretty pain free, it was probably worse because I had read up on it and new exactly what the surgeon was doing. When I came out, my vision was ok, but things looked kind of milky. Before I even had a chance to sit down the nurse came over and started to give me orders on when to take my drugs. There were 6 in total and I was a little too dizzy to take any of it in. Luckily my mum was there listening intently. I didn't realise then how lucky I was to have her there. We left about 10 mins after the surgery and they seemed keen to say goodbye, (i guess they just wanted me gone before the pain kicked in), and boy did it kick in! I got home and put the telly on, I could almost see it, and within about 20 mins the pain became so bad that I wouldn't keep my eyes open. I was expecting the pain, but no one told me I would need a white stick for 2 days! My mum managed to give me a couple of sleeping tablets and I went to bed in agony. It felt like someone had pored acid into my eyes, and at this point i was regretting having the op. Day 2, thurs 8th march I woke up very early, as soon as the light started to come into my room. I managed to fumble my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I stil lcouldn't open my eyes, mainly because they were so swollen. My mum said that it looked like someone had replaced my eyes with a couple of golf balls. The light hurt so much that even though I couldn't open my eyes, I still had to wear sun glasses and my mum had to lead me round the house when I wanted to go anywhere. She was rather concerned so phoned the clinic and they advised her that "this was perfectly normal". I remeber thinking that if this was normal then why didn't they warn you about it?!! I spent most of the day drifting in and out of sleep but each time I woke up I had to force my eyes open just to drain the fluid out of them. Day 3, frid 9th march This was the first day I could see! I was so relieved that I could go to the toilet on my own. My eyes were incredibly red and still swollen but at least I could open them. I had to go back to the clinic to have my bandage lens removed which was very quick and pain free, but going out in daylight was agony. I managed to watch some telly that night and realised that my vision was pretty good. Day 4, sat 10th march I was supposed to go back to work on saturday, but although my long distance was pretty good, I still couldn't see things close up, which is a nuisance becuase I spend all day on a computer. It says in the aftercare leaflet that most people can be long sighted for 1-3 weeks after surgery. That's yet another thing they don't tell you before you have the surgery. Day 7, tues 13th march (today) Well here I am, almost a week later and still not back at work. It's taken me ages to write this diary, I keep having to take breaks because it hurts my eyes to concentrate on things too long. I'm losing 50 quid a day at work for not turning up, and I guess I'm a little annoyed becuase if I was warned about the long sightedness before surgery I could have booked more time off work. I don't want to put anyone off having surgery, but I wanted people to know all the facts before going ahead with this. If your having epi-lasek surgery then PLEASE make sure that you have someone to look after you 24/7 for the next few days. And if your job involves looking at anything close up then you're going to need at least a week off after the surgery. Well, I'm almost pain free now and my vision is clearing, but if I had known the agony this surgery causes then I never would have had it done. Just something for you all to think about.

I had Femto Wavefront LASIK yesterday with Dr. Patel at the London clinic. I was -7.25 in both eyes +.50 astigmatism. I have left a message in the General and Surgeon forums too, but in short, this was the best £2400 I have ever spent! The clinic staff were great, Dr. Patel a pleasure to talk to, the surgery was completely pain-free (if a little uncomfortable)and 4 hours later I watched the telly, answered emails and returned back to normal life! Today, less than 24 hours post-op, my vision is completely clear and all I am wishing for is that I had it done earlier!! I did do a lot of research beforehand, and this site was invaluable in helping me make up my mind. I had a consultation at 2 other places (Ultralase who were a little too pushy to sell me stuff for my liking and Peterborough Optimax who were superb but did not have the Femto technology)and almost arranged a third one with Centre for Sight (who are very busy so couldn't get in for months and rather expensive!) I saw Dr. Patel in London yesterday. He certainly knows what he is doing (and responds well to jokes of the type "how many have you done today? I don't want to be your first, I want you well-practised!". The whole experience was a very positive one and I would whole-heartedly recommend it. Thank you to the London team -

It is now over four years since I had my surgery and I would highly recommend it, I could see the difference immediately and now the misery of contacts is just a distant memory!

I had lasik wavefront femtosecond (cos I ain't taking no chances with my eyes) and 24 hours later here I am writing this review. My vision is 20:20 and I feel great. Everyone at Optimax (Manchester) was brilliant so a big thanks to them for the level of service. So for all those people in two minds, just three words . . . go for it!

I am booked in to hopefully have epi-lasek at Ipswich on wednesday. Has anyone been there, and after reading this site I'm a little aprehensive. So do you think it's a good idea?

I had LASIK surgery to both eyes almost eaxactly a year ago at the Southampton Clinic by Dr Ayoubi. Went for my final check up last week, then discharged. Very pleased with the results, (see previous postings) I have better than 20:20 having been -6 and -5.5 with some astigmatism. It has made my everyday life a lot easier no "faffing about" with contacts and switching from presciption glasses to sunglasses. I am a keen birder using binoculars/ telescopes and microscopes at work, my "new eyes" have been a great asset for my hobby and made work easier. Best £1400 I ever spent. Dr Ayoubi was excellent, the reception staff/nurses less so, but the surgen is the most important person in the clinic. I had the flap cut with the microkeratome followed by normal LASIK. Still get dry eye occasionally, especially on a long flight recently as the air con dries your eyes out. I use moisturising drops first thing in the morning as your eyes get dry overnight as you are not blinking!! Apart from that no side effects, no haloes, night driving fine. It did take me 2-3 years of research and plucking up courage to have it done. Very important to research the procedure, go to several clinics and make up your own mind. Wasn't impressed with optical express, southampton as the surgeon does not do the consultation. Very important to be seen by your surgeon B4 the op. I didn't trust the optimetrists and reception staff, did not inspire confidence at both op. xpress and optimax!! However the surgeon was superb.