Optimax

I had bi-lateral epi-lasek 2 weeks ago at the new Optimax clinic in Belfast. This was an enhancement as I had Lasek done in May 2005 with the Advanced Laser Clinic in Belfast. Unfortunately I was one of the 3-4% that needed retreated after Lasek. I was -3.75 in both eyes a year ago and then regressed to -1.25 & -1.00 and needed glasses again. I was really disappointed that it hadn't work the way I'd hoped and felt I'd wasted my money. After the Advanced Laser Clinic agreed that I needed retreated, they went into liquidation a week later and I had to wait 10 months for Optimax to open as they had taken over the clinic. I had my initial consultation in May and Optimax agreed to re-treat me. I have to say that the staff had a lot of time for me and I never felt rushed or hurried and there wasn't any "Sales Pitch" which I had encountered with the previous company the last time. I was very nervous on the day of my procedure as I knew what to expect but everyone was great and totally professional. Dr Qazi explained what he was doing throughout the procedure which helped calm me. Once the anesthetic drops wore off, I was in pain for a few days just like last time but not as severe and I just kept taking the pills that they gave me and virtually slept for 3days!!I got my bandage contacts taken out on day 4 and on day 5 I could see well enough to drive, which was totally amazing, considering last time it was almost 2 weeks before I could drive. I had a bit of double vision in my left eye last week and when I phoned the Clinic and spoke to Dr Qazi, he offered to see me the same day, which was brilliant. Dr Qazi gave my eyes a thorough examination and advised that this was part of the healing process and not to worry. The double vision cleared up 2 days later!! Although my next aftercare appt is not until July I know myself that I have almost perfect vision, its even better than when I had my glasses!! All in all the Belfast Clinic is excellent and I would have no hesitation in recommending them. A BIG Thankyou to Belfast;-))

I had Epi-Lasek almost 10 years ago. I was advised by my doctor not to go ahead with the procedure as it was relatively new at this point. I took no notice of my doctor and have not regreted it since. It's the best thing I have ever done. I have recommended this treatment to many friends whom all have said the same thing to me. They think it's marvellous. The treatment that I had was painful for 2 days, but you can cope with the pain as they provide all the painkillers you need and the after treatment is excellent too. I felt very well treated. If you are concidering this treatment, I would not hesitate it is well worth it. And the first time that you open your eyes and you can SEE is just a feeling that I won't ever forget. Thank you Optimax.

Had Lasik 2 days ago and it's a miracle! Had a consultation with Optical Express first who were very poor. I wouldn't get to see the surgeon until the day of the operation and only then would I find out whether I was having Lasek or Lasik. With 3 small children, I didn't want Lasek because of the recovery time. Still waiting 28 days later for return of £400 deposit!! Booked with Optimax in Peterborough for 27/6. They did lots more diagnostic tests and you see the surgeon who will operate. Dr Hill was excellent. He has a very reassuring manner and answered all my questions very fully. My prescription was L -5.0 R -6.75 and I had 7mm pupils which are larger than normal so I was worried I wasn't going to be straightforward. However he felt I would be a good candidate and I was booked for operation on 30/6 at 4pm. I was extremely anxious and almost cancelled on the morning of the op. Once I got there everything happened very quickly. I went into the operating theatre at 4.40 and was out and in the car ny 5.15. The procedure itself IS painless. The only nasty thing was the smell of burning - just breathe through your mouth and you'll be fine! Dr Hill talks you through it all as he is doing it and he is very calming. My left eye took 56 seconds and my right 58 seconds. When I got off the bed I could see better straightaway ( I had to be helped in without my glasses!) and could read a sign in the car park about 30 feet away. That night was a bit uncomfortable a bit like when you are tired and you have grit or an eyelash under your lens. I just took 2 paracetamol and have taken nothing else since. At my first after care on 1/7 in the morning everything seems to be going fine. I'm healing well and could read the bottom line with my right eye and third from bottom with my left. I'm easily at driving standard. My sight should continue to improve over the next month. It truly is great!! I know if you are reading this you are trying to make your mind up like I was last week. All I can say is do your research, meet the surgeon, and go for it! Opening your eyes and being able to see withoout reaching for glasses is brilliant!! Thank you to all the team at Peterborough who have made it so easy! ps I booked all my appointents and then saw the ebay offer. It isn't a scam and all you do is ring customer services and say you want the ebay price. I got £ 400 off so it's worth it!!

Although I had my consultation at Leicester, as I was -8 short sighted and +2 Long sighted, the consultant Mr Oberholster recommended Wavefront, and after reading Optimax's literature (plus others) I had already decided that I also wanted Femtosecond, Optimax has 5 of the 7 Lasers to cut the flap for Lasik treatment, but they didn't have one at Leicester, so I went to Birmingham. It was still Mr Oberholster that did the procedure at Birmingham, this made me feel much more confident. I went for my consultation on Tuesday 18th July 2006, went to Biringham for the treatment on Wednesday 19th and back to Leicester on the 20th for a check up. Although I was absolutely petrified, everything possible was done to make me feel at ease (for example my sister went with me, and after the flap has been cut you have to wait 5 minutes before they laser your eyes, but they fetched my sister to sit with me). I just knew that everything was going to be ok. I must admit when I read all the things that can go wrong, I had my doubts, but have you every read the leaflet in a packet of parecetamol. I felt safe in the hands of Mr Oberholster. The optician that tested my eyes prior to having the treatment done, was the best I have ever had test my eyes. He checked and checked again to ensure that the prescription was correct. The procedure was completely pain free. You feel a little pressure when they put the clamps on your eyelids, but it was nothing. After it was all over and my sister was driving me hone, although you are supposed to rest your eyes as much as possible, I kept having a little peek and could not believe that after 40 years of not being able to read a numberplate without glasses or contact lenses I could actually see clearly straight away. I laid on the sofa all evening,listening to the radio and putting in the drops as prescribed, still no pain, if you have worn contact lenses and they get a little gritty towards the end of the day, that is all I felt.During the last week my eyes have been a little dryer than usual, but I was provided with refresher drops to use as and when so I hardly noticed. Now 10 days later, I am still marvelling at how I can get up during the night and see clearly. The optician set my eyes at -7.75 and this has worked out great, before when I wore contact lenses I had to have reading glasses as well. Now, if I am reading a book, then I use my reading glasses, but at work where I do a lot of computer and bookwork, I can easily manage without, I know this may change as I get older, but that's life anyway. Well enough of my babbling, if you are thinking of having laser treatment, go for it, it has changed my life already - I FEEL GREAT - Thanks to the team at Leicester and Birmingham they are all fantastic. Julie Sheldon

I had Epi-Lasek treatment at Optimax Birmingham in August this year after going to see one of their competitors. Oddly enough, I bought my treatment through Ebay of all places, and saved myself an absoulte packet! My wife had her eyes done at Optimax three years ago and I wish I'd done it back then as well. It is, as they all say, a miracle - after an initial period of 18 hrs I was pain free, and most of that I spent asleep overnight. I had my treatment on a Tuesday, was using my computer briefly on thr Friday, and by the Monday I was back at work. In the intervening weekend I had the bandage lenses out and a quick eyetest proved my vision was at least 20/20. My eye test was performed by the surgeon, the quality and quantity of testing was superb, and the support staff at the facility were courteous and helpful. You're given all the medicines you need to take away with you, and the follow up treatment is excellent. If you were thinking about getting your eyes laser treated but you weren't sure, get yourself to Optimax and get tested for suitability. You owe your eyes a new lease of life, and my personal experience of it has been nothing but brilliant.

I had intralase lasik wavefront surgery with monovision correction at Optimax Manchester by Dr Boezaart on 4th August, just 2 weeks ago. My prescription was -2.5 with -4 astigmatism right eye and -2.25 with -3.5 astig left eye. I chose to have the monovision due to my age (48). The procedure was quick and totally painless, and I instantly had clear vision in my right eye, the one left slightly short sighted for reading. My left eye was rather misty. About 2 hours after the procedure, both eyes started watering profusely and stinging, as though I had been peeling 1000 onions! This lasted just 1 and a half hours, when it stopped as quickly as it started. I felt slight discomfort in my right eye from the bandage contact lens, but that eye never liked wearing lenses for long anyway. The next day, I was aware that my right, reading eye was phenominal. I could read the smallest print as though with a magnifying glass. However, my left eye was still a little weak for distance, and at my next day check up I was just driving standard, but there was still some irritation from the lenses having been in overnight. It is now 2 weeks since treatment, and I can honestly say that my vision is fluctuating on a day to day basis, although generally definitely becoming clearer. My first week back at work was a little up and down, spending too long on the pc gave me dry eyes and poor vision the next day, but I rang Optimax who suggested using teardrops every half hour that day, and next day vision was much clearer. I have definitely got vision as good as I had with glasses for distance, and much better for reading. To anyone considering monovision to avoid reading glasses, I would say it is well worth it, but be prepared for a few weeks of fluctuating vision while your brain sorts it all out! I cannot fault Optimax in any way, service and treatment were all swift, professional and friendly. Thank you.

Hi, I've already written once just after I had lasik treatment with femtosecond & wavefront on the 19th July 2006.If you look through the comments you will see it. I felt that I had to add another comment, because someone had written saying that she had been on an aeroplane and the dryness of her eyes ruined her holiday. We have just come back from Greece. It was a 3 3/4 hour flight. I had no problem. I took a full box of refresher drops with me - just in case. My eyes were definately not dry. The only time they do get a little dry is at night when I am tired. All I want to say is that everyone is different. I do not regret one nanosecond having had the procedure. Julie Sheldon

As I am longsighted,I am considering lasik (flap cut) surgery at the Liverpool branch of Optimax. All the comments I have read so far seem to be from shortsighted people and there has been no feedback from patients of the Liverpool clinic. Is there a longsighted person who can has had this proceedure at Liverpool or anywhere else who can comment.

I took a lot of time and trouble recently to send my comments on my experience at Optimax and wonder why it has not been entered on website. I am a genuine customer who is extremely happy with the procedure and the outcome and wanted to share my delight with anyone considering, but apprehensive about going ahead with femtosecond lasik. I had a very positive experience and am absolutely thrilled to leave my glasses behind and couldn't fault the care I received by Dr. Patel at Optimax, London. Donna Chalk 11.09.06

I have just had lasik on 7/9/06 at the Liverpool branch & I can feel the difference already because I am long sighted with an astimitism this can take a little longer to feel the full benefit. The service was great, I will inform you all in a couple of weeks on any further improvements. It was a good decision to get it done.