Optimax

I had Epi-lasik on 4 Nov 2005 at Croydon with Dr Hoe. He was very nice and made me feel relaxed. The staff were lovely and held my hand during the procedure. Shame I cant say the same about the reception staff. My eyes were -4.75 & -5.00. It was quite uncomfortable having it done not nice at all but not painful. It felt alot longer than 15 mins, but then when you counting it always does. Its such a strange feeling when your having it done because they put these drops in your eyes so its all blurry like your under water, so you never can focus on what he is doing. It was no where near as bad as I expected. It goes really blurry when they take the flap off your eye. The laser made me jump as it was quite loud. It really smells when they are lasering the eye like burning rubber, I had to breathe out of my mouth because it was making me feel a bit sick, but this doesnt last for long. The clamp that they use to hold your eye open is a bit ucomfortable but you soon forget about it when they start the laser! Straight after it was a bit blurry but I could see. Went home - really light sensitive had to stay in a dark room and couldnt really open my eyes. Had pain in the left eye but only discomft in the right. Took pain killers as soon as I got in the car but these didnt seem to work. Then took two sleeping pills which were provided but these didnt work either. I wasnt in terrible pain, but it was enough to keep me awake for most of the night. When I woke the following morning had no pain at all, only slight discomfort in left eye but this went as the swelling went down during the day. My right eye didnt hurt at all, it was like I didnt have anything done to it really, only slightly red! My left eye was still really blurry when I had my bandage lenses out a few days later and right eye really good. Just had first check up on the 18 Nov and left eye still really blurry. Right eye healing well. Have been told not to worry about my blurry eye just taking its time with healing. I can feel both getting a little clearer everyday. more so the right than the left, not really disapointed yet got another appointment in two weeks so will update this after. Even though my eye sight in my left is still not perfect im not really worried as they will do a second op if it doesnt work. Im only 21 so I feel its worth all of this for good eye sight till im older, no glasses no contact lenses - bliss! Im am also the biggest baby when it comes to things like dentist etc. so if your worried dont be. The first time I went in I ran out crying! And the day I had it done I started crying when I walked in there, but there is nothing to worry about its not as bad as I imagined. Will post again soon to tell you about my blurry eye!

After speaking to the helpdesk to book the consultation, being told I was an "ideal candidate" with my prescription (-3.25 in both eyes), and then paying my £60, I was very optimistic and really looking forward to having the treatment, despite reading the rather painful experiences of others! However, after only 5 minutes with the consultant at the Optimax clinic in Leicester, my enthusiasm disappeared completely. Unfortunately I didn't get the consultant’s name, mainly due to the fact that she was so downright rude! She came out of her room, called my name and as I approached her to say simply "pleased to meet you" she ignored me, turned away muttering something which sounded like her name and that she was going to be my consultant/surgeon. To be honest, I couldn't fully understand (it is very difficult when someone does not face you when they are speaking to you). This wasn’t the best start to proceedings I thought! Anyway, after the usual eye test, I was told that even if I go ahead with the treatment, the likelihood is I will need to wear reading glasses again in 2-3 years time, possibly sooner, because my "close vision" will very likely deteriorate over this period due to my age (42). However, because I need to be able to see clearly at arms length to do my job (I am a plumber), she even told me that half-moon glasses would be suitable! I told her I was only having this done so that I would not have to wear glasses or contact lenses at all for what I hoped would be at least 10 years – she said this was not guaranteed. I cannot express how disappointed I was to hear this. So, unless I change my career in the next 6 months, which is highly unlikely, I shall not progress with the treatment. I also believe that the age issue (i.e. approaching mid-40s) should be explained in more detail at the time you first call their helpdesk. I could then have made a decision as to whether to go ahead with the consultation or not. In hindsight, if I was told I would need “reading” glasses in 2-3 years time, despite having the treatment, I definitely would not have booked the consultation. I would recommend anyone who is in their early 40s to seriously consider this before coughing up the £60 fee.

I had gone to Manchester Optimax through convenience as I had relatives nearby, I am 39 years old. Excellent customer care. Staff friendly and helpful. Dr Hynes was wonderful& very honest. Great having the same doctor from consultation to surgery. I had Epi Lasek as Lasik not suitable - only mild discomfort for 24 hours max then fine. could see practically straight away - wonderful !! Can see better than most my friends now! Feel like I have x-ray vision! Should have done it years ago especially with the interest free! My follow up appointments now show me as having 20/20 vision ! A big thank you..

EPI-LASEK I saw Dr Ayoubi at the Ipswich branch on Wed 16th Nov. Very charming and calm surgeon. After the consultation, had EPI-LASEK treatment after 1/2 hour. No pain and the surgeon talked all through the op, very re-assuring. 1st Night, lots of pain and kept up all night. I even tried to sleep upright on the sofa in the living room but still kept on waking up. Painkillers and sleeping pills did not work at all. 2nd Day, eyes watering a little less but the painkillers eventually worked. Listened to a lot of radio, which was probably the reason as to why I went to sleep at 8pm and woke up 8am. A good sleep due to lack of sleep the night before. Left eye functioning a lot better then the right. 3rd Day, looked forward to having the bandage contact lenese out. Even though a regular lenses wearer, I felt really uncomfortable about sleeping in lenses for two consecutive nights. What a difference though when they did come out, comfort levels rose so much. 4th Day, eyes still improving but the right eyes was much more blurred compared to left eye. I put it down to worse prescrition ( L=-3.50 R=-3.75)and astigamatism. Anyway it was good (or bad!) that I was able to see a little bit of X Factor by Saturday night. Strange how when you use antibiotic drops or refreshers the eyesight becaomes perfect. Hence I can only imagine that I need more time to heal the Epilithium The good news is that I see continual improvemnet each day. Roll on Day 5. Let's hope for 20/20.......

I am a 60 year old male living near Alton, Hants who has been promising himself laser eye surgey to correct poor(ish) long distance vision (-3.25 thingies in each eye) for years. Finally, with my 60th just behind me and armed with a personal recommendation from a recent acquaintance, I started the ball rolling. I searched the web site, phoned the call centre and got a consultation for the Southampton office on 15 Nov 05. From the supplied literature I was a bit confused as to what I should be aiming for. I really felt that correcting both eyes was a logical route and that Lasik would be the best treatment. Why? To be honest I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, late Tuesday afternoon I met with Dr Ayoubi after having a simple on site test. He is a charming fellow and explained what he thought was best for me taking into account my age and prescription. It now seems likely that instead of Lasik for both eyes I will be going for Epi-Lasek in just the one eye. That in itself is a personal advice based decision but a factor that impressed me is that Dr Ayoubi's recommendations will reduce my anticipated bill by almost two thirds. To me, that clearly indicates good advice rather than good sales patter. I am now testing out the mono vision route via a single contact in one eye which is quite an experience. Because I am going skiing over Christmas and early Feb, the most likely date for my operation is late Feb 2006. But, the ball is rolling and I will have something done soon.

Hello, I am considering Epi- Lasek at the Croydon Optimax with Dr Hoe. Has any else at surgery there and how did you get on??

I had Lasik in Southampton on 28th October with Mr Ayoubi. My prescription was -6.75 and -7.00 with astigmatism. Mr Ayoubi was brilliant, very professional and confident. The operation didn't hurt a bit and straight afterwards I was delighted that I could see the Exit sign, and people at the other end of the room. By the middle of the following morning though I was quite alarmed that my vision had gone blurry although speaking to some friends who had the same experience reassured me a bit. At my aftercare appointment a week later my eyesight had improved a bit. It is now nearly 2 weeks later and I am pleased to say my eyesight seems to be improving every day. I have been told I have driving vision although it takes some time getting used to driving with a bit of a blurry edge. My vision goes up and down a bit at the moment, sometimes it is great, sometimes it is blurry especially when I am tired or have been on the computer. On the whole I am glad I have had the operation.

I am attending the Glasgow Optimax clinic at the end of November for my consultation with Mr Anwar and then the treatment is scheduled for 17th December, so I have the Christmas break to recover. I am having bi-lateral treatment and my husband has major concerns about the possible complications for having both eyes treated at the same time, the biggest fear being blindness and not having the ability to work again and the fact that insurance companies don't cover Elective Surgery. I am 31 and have worn glasses and contacts for 16 years and would welcome not having to wear glasses again until much later in life. However if after having treatment, I still had to wear glasses even if my prescription was low, I would be very disappointed.

Hi all. I recently had epi-lasek on both eyes at the Birmingham clinic on my 50th birthday, 15th October 05. Today (29th Oct), I have just returned from my 2nd after-care appointment and my vision is better than 20/20. After listening to advice given to me during my consultation, because of my age, and because of my need to see close up stuff ( do a lot of fishing), I opted for the mono-vision option, where one eye is undercorrected. What fantastic results! I have to say though, the first 24hrs were agony! I found it impossible to sleep even with a couple of strong painkillers and the pills given me to help me sleep! But I persevered with the antibiotic drops and the other drops and the other drops popped in last thing at night, and I am amazed that I can see so well. After all these years of relying of specs, and putting up with the discomfort of wearing them, I would recommend this procedure to one and all! Best birthday present ever - even if I did buy it for myself! he he he

Thinking of laser surgery for miopia -8,25 R -7.00 L. Have had consultation at Ultralaze Chester, who seem extremely professional, if a tad epensive. Have booked consultation Optimax Manchester, much cheaper. I am concerned about difference in price, obviously do not want sacrifice quality for cheapness, but is it worth paying the extra for peace of mind. Comments please.