Optimax

Its now one year since my surgery at Optimax Newcastle. I was worried as I had dry eye, but now my eyes dont even need drops for this. Its the best thing I could have done, and should have done it sooner.

Does anyone have any experiences to share of the Bristol clinic? I visited an open day and wasn't particularly impressed so any feedback from people who have actually been treated there would be much appreciated.

Purchased Epi-Lasek from Optimax FROM EBAY at a bargain price, visited the Ipswich clinic and found the staff to be both professional and knowledgable. The procedure was explained in detail and all possible side effects were described. I have just been discharged from them after having had my 6 month after-care appointment with 20/20 vision. Consider the fact that I had worn glasses since I was 6 (Im now 38), so it's a big big change.. If you are a glasses wearer, don't be afraid.. Do it now, its the best thing you will ever do. (And no this isnt a fake review, it is 100% geniune and I am one very satisfied customer!)

This is an update from when I had my surgery 30.03.06, eyesight is fantastic still very pleased with the result, I had my aftercare appointment booked today and I am very unhappy with the customer service received from the clinic manager in Bristol(tracey), my appointment was booked today at 2.15pm, I had a message on my mobile at 1pm saying the optometrist due to see me had gone home due to sickenss and they were cancelling my appointment, I live in Cardiff and was half way there at this time! anyway sickness cant be helped but I chose optimax as they were one of the largest companies and you would think a company of their size would have another optometrist available, I phoned the clinic to rebook and asked if I could see someone closer to home next time as I have a full diary over the next fornight, they said I would have to pay for this (even though they cancelled very late in the day and wasted my time by driving all that way and booking an afernoon out of my working week), Tracey in optimax said I could make a complaint to head office and she would send me a complaint form, she then gave me the number of the optician I was to ring, the number I rang was incorrect, I rang her back and she said to look it up myself in the directory!! she was very rude and unhelpful and could not careless about how I was inconvenienced, she actually agreed with me when I stated that, as you can tell I am fuming and I am taking the complaint further as I still have no appointment booked for aftercare for laser eye surgery!! I hope no other clients have been messed around like this, it has put a dampner on such a good thing that I have had done.

Has anyone had surgery with Optimax having bought it through e-bay? It appears that if they are having trouble filling their surgery slots their advertise on e-bay at a very reduced rate. Was just wondering if anyone has actually gone through with this and if they have any comments?

Update on previous posting 20/3/06 Southampton branch, Dr Ayoubi, see below. Had my third aftercare appointment with the Optimetrist on 5th May, 8 weeks postop. Right eye is 20:15, bottom line of chart, an excellent result for my dominant eye. The left eye is -0.5 prescription, a huge improvement on -6.25 though! All the astigmatism has been corrected apparently. Still using the moisturising drops 4-5 times a day, especially after computer/close focus work. A little bit annoying but not too bad, will hopefully improve. So overall a good result. I was advised its not worth attempting to relaser the -0.5 left eye as the margin of error of the laser was also 0.5!! The possible marginal benefit did not outweigh the potential risks. I fully concurred with this assessment. I am pretty happy with my eyesight at present, as using both eyes I could easily read the bottom line of the chart. Also the -0.5 would hopefully delay the need for reading glasses in the future, though I am only 36, so hopefully 15 years or more away. I was "discharged" by the optimetrist and told I did not need to return for more aftercare checks. Was a little surprised by this as Optimax literature states discharging is after 3 months postop, if all goes well. The optimax literature states all aftercare checkups are free for the first year, but I was told I would have to pay if I wanted to return for a further checkup!! Hopefully will not need to, and will resist paying as it clearly states the first year is free. Perhaps optimax can confirm this if their customer care bods read this posting? Would have preferred to have been checked by the surgeon at one of the aftercare checks, he was in the building at the time of my visits, saw him at the reception desk. Had LASIK (flap cut) on 9th March at Southampton by Dr Ayoubi. Not a pleasant procedure but over in about 20 minutes with 4 hours of discomfort afterwards, like being poked in the eye, or grit under a contact lens. At the next day consultation, was better than 20:20 in the right eye but the left was still a little blurry, but as I am right eye dominant, not a problem, easily at the driving standard less than 24 hours after the op. Was -6.25 in the left and -5.5 in the right previously with some astigmatism. At the one week checkup all OK, right still better than 20:20, left had improved a bit but apparently still has some astigmatism, this may improve over the next 2 months, but both eyes together are excellent, a huge improvement and a definite WOW factor, having worn glasses since 8 years old. Luckily I had thicker than average corneas and average pupil size. Using the moisturising eye drops every 3 hours or so. Got a bad dose of the flu 4 days after the op. Was concerned that the violent sneezing may dislodge the flap but all OK, apparently violent sneezing within 2 days of the op could cause a problem!!! according to the optometrist. Dr Ayoubi, the surgeon, is very competent and reasssuring, talks you through the procedure. Had mine in the afternoon on time, apparently the morning ops often run rather late so an afternoon appointment is probably preferable as the laser is all set up and calibrated by then. Will post again after the 2 month check up, will hopefully not need a minor adjustment in the left eye, fairly happy with my sight at the moment computer work is fine. Dr Ayoubi did my full consultation and unlike OPtical Express told me that as my aberrations in both eyes were under 0.3 there was no statistical reason that Wavefront would have better results than regular LASIK, saving me £300. + Wavefront ablates more tissue and takes longer. Paid £1400 to Optimax, consultation was free, a special offer. Will pay for itself in 4 years as I forked out for daily disposable contacts before. Optical Express at West quay wanted £2600 and recommended I had wavefront, but their consulation was with an optimetrist, NOT the actual surgeon who performs the op. Would definitely recommend you have the initial measurement consultation with the surgeon who operates on you so you can judge if you trust him or not and discuss all the information with him to make an informed choice about the possible risks/benefits. Most important aspect is your corneal thickness and pupil size and you must have healthy eyes and no cold sores. 36 years of age.

Has anyone had Wavefront & does it make a difference to night vision? My surgeon said I can choose it if I want. I dont know if I should just have Standard Lasik. Advice needed pls!!

Had surgery 19th Dec 2005. Absolutely thrilled with result - 20/20 vision. Have told everyone I know how great Optimax is. Thank you so much - it's a real life changer - I love it!

I had epi-lasek on Monday 24th April at Hove near Brighton, I was really lucky to get it free through a promotion at work. I had considered having the operation for many years but was not planning on doing anything until I was in my late 20's I am only 21 now. My vision was -2.50 and -3.25 with stigmatism, the operation was very quick there was no pain maybe just a slight discomfort but I may have made that worse as I was quite tense, i could smell burning from the laser on your eye that made me feel quite sick, the operation was over in about ten minutes in total and I was straight out and on my way home, I wasn't prepared for the pain afterwards though, I can honestly say its the most pain I have ever experienced in my life!! with all the painkillers and sleeping tablets I was ok after 4 hours and I pretty much slept for the following 32 hours, I thought I was going to be ok to look after myself but I was very wrong, my partner took the next 2 days off, so I would make sure you have someone with you for the first 24 hours at least, by Thursday my vision was still very blurry and I thought I had made a huge mistake but when I woke up friday morning my sight was back and it was the best feeling. I started to drive again on Sunday but only short distances, it is now tuesday and my vision is getting better and better every day im not sure how much more it will improve, I can see everything but some things aren't very sharp but I am still absoloutley over the moon with the results. On the first 4 days I would have said dont bother getting it done, but im very impatient!! by Friday I was ringing everyone in my phone book telling them to get it done, yes the pain is very extreme but so so worth it, it has already made such a change in me im already so much more confident and feel great about myself, so guys dont waste any more time thinking about it book your appointment NOW. Just to finish off thank you to everyone at the Hove clinic the guys at the front dest were so friendly and really made me feel at ease and thank you to my partner for looking after me!!!

My experience from the first consultation through to the aftercare was fantastic, staff where professional and friendly. The surgoen was re-assuring and extremley competent. This has been a life changing experience (which my daughters would confirm)and I would recommend Lasik and Optimax to anyone