Optimax

Hi... Can anybody give me any information about having a slight inflamation the day after having lasik wavefront eye surgery and wether it is likely to give problems eg affect your vision

I had both eyes done with LASIK (surgical procedure where they cut a flap your eye then laser it) at the FINCHLEY RD - Head office in London. I had Dr Patel do the consultation and the surgery; he was very good and gave me all the options and also his recommendations. It was a little strange having a flap cut in your eye but no pain really and the laser was ok - also a little strange smelling your eye get sizzled. Recovery was very fast, I went home and slept all afternoon, but by the next day I could easily drive. And I was back to work on the Monday after having my op in the Friday – fantastic (some thing to remember if you don’t get sick days like me its better to spend the extra money and have faster recovery time so you don’t miss a weeks work) I had to use eye drops for 1.5 months as I had dryish eyes but maybe also due to the climate as well. Now all good – even the in the follow up with the optometrist she was impressed that I had such good eye sight. Better than 20/20 ( apparently you can get better than 20/20 as I found out 20/20 is able to read the 2nd line up on the chart and I can read the bottom line easily) So gone are the contact lenses of 16 years and freedom at last!!!!! Really you just have to jump in eye first and get it done ASAP. Highly Recommended. cal

I had LASIK eye surgery on the 26 Jan. I had really looked in to procedure and really wanted to avoid wearing glasses to watch the TV and drive as I could never find them. My eyes were not so bad but I wanted to avoid glasses except for reading. I was told the pain might be bad but I was not prepared for how bad it was.i must admit that was a shock. Having been a fireman and playing active sports all my life the pain will always be remembered. I could not open my eyes from one hour after surgery - so from 7 pm om the 26th until noon on the 29th No matter how I tried I could not. On the 30th I went to my first after care and had the bandage lenses removed. I had a brief eye test but could see very little. I called Optimax daily to say there was no improvement in my vision. i was told it could take a day or 2 but I felt the eyes were worse. I went back to Optimax on the Feb 2 for a check as I could not see enough to look at words on a computer screen or even the keys on the keyboard. It could not see clearly to drive. The doctor at Optimax confirmed it was early days but agreed my vision at the time of seeing me was no better than before surgery. From the tests the doctor agreed my vision was just a blurr. No one knows what went wrong but here I am on Feb 21 and exactly the same. I cannot see to operate a computer so my daughter is typing this. I cannot drive as vision is not clear. I am really struggling with this as i can also not see to use a phone, road signs, read, call out numbers on a credit cards. see players on a pitch. This was a presnt for my 50th birthday tomorrow 22 nd Feb from all my family and friends plus my savings but here I am with much worse vision than I started with. Even the vari focal glasses had before surgery are worthless as they are not strong enough. I have an appointment with a doctor at Optimax on the 9 march. This cannot come sooner for me as I dont know what to do next.

Hi, I am considering having the lasik procedure, but my prescription is -8 in both eyes. Has anybody had it done with that level of short sightedness? If so what level of vision could I expect to have? thanks Nicky

Had Epi-Lasek (not to be confused with Lasik - same laser and results but a very different method) laser eye surgery on 10th February 2006 at the Birmingham Optimax clinic. Commenced at 13.45 and was done by 13.59! I am writing exactly one week and one day after the surgery (yes - I can see the computer). Surgeon was a Dr Masilamani. An earlier poster wanted some feedback on this guy. He is a young looking chap but very helpful, patient and professional. You will have no problems with this guy. I was a little worried to find him wearing glasses though! He says his prescription does not warrant surgery. Op was a little strange but painless (you could actually smell the burning). 'Bandage' contact lenses were fitted by the doctor to keep discomfort to a minimum. Was on the way home by five past two as the anesthetic wore off. Then the pain kicked in. The first twenty four hours were the worst. Like two forks being pressed into the open eyes and there was nothing you could do to ease the pain. The Ibuprofen painkillers and sleeping tablets provided were as good as useless. I would describe the pain as 'severe' and I have a pretty good tolerance level. Also, eyes very watery and light sensitive - did not open then for the first 24 hours (apart from to administer drops) and then only for a few seconds. Spent virtually the first two and a half days in bed in the dark unable to read or watch TV. Quite a scary experience. Returned to the clinic on day 3 to have the bandage lenses removed. This was a very welcome huge relief. Pain now gone completely and sight returning slowly. Vision still a little blurred but improving daily. Left eye was -5 and right -2. Stragely though, left eye vision much better the right eye so far. All glasses and contact lenses owned now in the bin. I'm now fully into the recovery period and noticing improving vision on a daily basis. Vision good enough to drive (especially the left) but I'll give it more time before declaring it a complete success. I'm told each person recovers at a different rate so will now just have to be patient. Got to give exercise, swimming and the like a miss for 6 weeks. I'm looking forward to life without specs and lenses now. Entered into this after a lot of research and fully aware of the risks. Pretty much pleased with the results after a week and glad I had the courage to go ahead. Remember, if you are considering surgery yourself fully research the matter. IT IS NOT RISK FREE. The internet is a great source. I'll gladly provide feedback to anyone wanting more info.

My boyfriend and myself have booked ourselves into the Croydon clinic with Prof Venter. My boyfriend was the first to have the surgery lasik wavefront, it was today, and so far so good, the professor was excellent helpful and even has a great sense of humour! However the experience was badly let down by the receptionists, this from our first consultation. They are absolutely clueless, have messed up our appointments time, did not return our calls for our bookings, mixed up our phone numbers... then today, the big day, when my boyfriend went to pay for the outstanding balance, they would not reimburse my £30 booking fee that was paid on his card! Worst of all the most miserable girl of all who has never smiled since the first time i met her, tried to blackmail me by saying that i would get my booking fee back only once i would book my operation! The deal was that no matter if i went ahead or no, it was a FREE consultation! The same girl also told me that they don't do waiting list appointments when it is written BLACK onto WHITE on the website! It's called STANDBY appointment. Then i will finish with the best joke ever that i could use if i was a comic! I was so angry with them that i did not want to talk to them so i told my boyfriend who just came out of the operation and could barely see to ask one of the girl to call a taxi, and the unbelievable happened, they handed him a piece of paper with a number on it!!!!! This is the treatment you get for spending £2000 and i told them as i am also about to spend the same! well not sure now. Although the most important aspect of it is my eyesight and the skills of the surgeon who has done a brilliant job. Maybe he just needs to get a professional, welcoming, helpful and friendly team.

Optimax in Newcastle provided me with top class treatment from very friendly efficient staff in wonderful relaxing surroundings. The procedure was quick, painless and without any unexpected problems. The follow up appointments were of the same high standard. Would recommend to anyone considering having Lasik eye treatment.

I'm booked in for a epi-lasek with Dr Masilamani in Peterborough (I think he normally works in Birmingham) - if anyone have any feedback on him it would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi, I'm thinking about having epi-lasek at the Peterborough clinic. Please can someone who's been there tell me if they're good, how bad the pain was etc etc. I only have one pair of eyes and I don't want to have them messed up!!! Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I had my vision corrected at the Birmingham branch in May 2004. The first night was total agony. My eyes closed up, water kept flooding out and they were really stinging. I could not get the bedroom dark enough. Gradually over the next week, the pain went away and it was good after a week. Vision is now very good, i forgot what it was like before. I do get some pain first thing in a morning where they ache and I get sharp pains until they readjust but on the whole they seem OK and I am prepared to live with this. I think I'm going to book another consultation to check over everything though. I would recommend it, life-changing.