Optimax

4th April 2007 Had Epi-Lasek surgery on Saturday 31st March at the Reading Optimax clinic with Dr Ayoubi who was great. It is Day 4 and I have had the bandage lenses out today. I don't know if I am being impatient but I was hoping for much sharper vision by now. I am walking around in a blur - will it get any better? Is there anyone out there who has had the same treatment this week?

Day 8 - I can see although very close to Driving Standard I'm waiting till next aftercare appointment before I drive. It is imperative that you use the antibiotic eye drops and to stop dry eyes the refresh drops regularly. The biggest problem is dry eyes at night keep them lubricated. Bought Viscotears from Pharmacy which should help. I am over the moon at the moment that I no longer need lenses, I am eargerly waiting to get 20:20 vision which the surgeon said was possible using both eyes but not achievable with using individual eyes as i have one week eye.

It's now been over a month and a half since I had Wavefront Lasik surgery carried out by Dr Madhusudhan at Optimax Liverpool. I was suitable for both types of surgery but I'd already decided on the Lasik option, less pain, quicker recovery, it was only the thought of cutting a flap which was freaking me out. The surgeon recommended Wavefront and explained that it would benefit my night vision. After reading numerous reviews of Dr Madhu telling people it wouldn't benefit them it was good to know that he wasn't just after extra cash :) The Surgery was quick and fairly painless. In total it probably only took 20mins. Dr Madhu doesn't have much of a bedside manner but I cant compliment him enough as a surgeon. The recovery wasn't as easy as people have said. In my case one of my eyes was slightly inflammed so it needed double drops every hour and a couple of revisits to ooptimax for check ups. I had 'gunky eyes' for 2 weeks because of all the drops I was putting in. My vison was 20-20 straight after surgery and it improved to better than 20-20 after a few days. I cant recommend getting your eyes lasered enough. It was great to go on a snowboarding holiday and not worry about lenses/glasses. It's great to wake up in the middle of the night and know what the time is without trying to feel around for glasses! I think the price I paid was a bit steep considering the ebay offer but its only really inflated by the fact i had wavefront. (an extra 600 quid). Laser surgery is a serious decision and shouldn't be taken lightly but in my case it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Danny,

Pre-op prescription: -0.7 Left, -0.8 Right, with astigmatism in both eyes. I had bi-lateral femtosecond Lasik Wavefront, on Thurs 19 Apr at Optimax Southampton, with Dr Ayoubi. Having suffered from ridiculously short sight for more years than I can remember, losing my glasses in a freak wave while in Spain last year gave me the motivation to get my eyes zapped. I had the treatment done last Thursday and have since had a good chuckle remembering the process after reading various posts on here before hand (the dreaded eye clamps, the burning smell .. sound familiar ?). The following 4 hours after surgery were extremely uncomfortable - felt like I had been jabbed in the eyes with raw chilis, thank God I had someone there to help with the eye drops ! But about 10pm it had eased off eneough to enable me to sleep through the night. The following morning the cloudiness and the stinging had eased off and to my amazement, I could read number plates 150 ft away and shopfront signs 400 metres away ... very wierd, but very reassuring ! Had my 24 hour follow up and was able to read just above driving standard (Before surgery I wouldn't have even known there was an eye chart up in front of me !) and the doctor (?) assured me I was ok to drive. Later that day, I felt that truly was the case, but have resisted the urge yet. He also assured me that the cloudiness and bluriness I still had would clear by the 7 day follow up, which I have next Friday (27th). 3 days later, my vision is great outside (probably about 95% there), but in low light and even darkness, I'm struggling and it's still quite blurry when I'm reading or typing. Close up stuff in general is still iffy. Is anyone else out there experiencing the same ? I'm happy with how it's gone, I guess I'm just impatient and if the truth be known, I hope this isn't as good as my vision is going to get. Read lots of stuff about vision improving gradually over the coming weeks/months, just hope its right. Would really appreciate feedback from anyone who shares the same concerns. For those out there who are waiting to have it done, hope it all goes well for you !

I did a lot of research before going for surgery but I had Epi-Lasek with Wavefront on Friday 13th April at Bristol Optimax and I'm very pleased. Yes, I did have to wait around a lot on the day, but I was told that this is because it takes longer for them to deal with patients who can't have the surgery (they want to know exactly why they can't have it, etc.) I couldn't have Lasik because my corneas were too thin but, although I had wanted Epi-Lasik anyway, because it is a safer op, I was unprepared for the severity of the pain for the first 3 days. I literally couldn't leave a darkened room, with sunglasses on, for the first 24 hours and went through 24 extra strength paracetamol. Also, with Epi-Lasik, your vision improves gradually over the coming weeks so there's no 'wow' factor. I am 3 weeks in now and its better than driving standard (although I am slightly long-sighted at the moment) my check-up today confirmed that this was quite normal and that my eyes should improve further over the next 6-8 weeks. All in all, the pain at the beginning was worth the result. Incidentally, I purchased my op on Ebay direct from Russell Ambrose (MD of Optimax) for a bargain price of £395 per eye (Wavefront was an extra £150 per eye) and you can also have 18m or 36m credit if you wish. The doctors were extremely professional and didn't try to sell me anything more than I needed, I decided to have Wavefront because my pupils were a bit big and this could have caused halos at night. If your thinking of having surgery, give Optimax a go, I really can't fault them.

following my message of 5th April it is now one month on and I have near perfect vision!! I opted to have mono vision which takes longer to adjust and I was very worried the first two weeks but everything Dr Ayoubi promised has happened so I would def recommend Optimax and Dr Ayoubi! Having laser treatment is a bigger decision than I first realised and is an emotional journey as well as a physical one so make sure you have someone with you for the first few days and don't panic if your sight is blurry for at least a week after Epi-Lasik.

I had epi-lasek on March 28th at the Finchley Road, London branch. I bought it on e-bay which saves a load of money and gives you exactly the same service. My prescription was -2.0 in both eyes. The clinic is fairly basic. They don't spend a stack on furniture, paint or decent coffee that's for sure! It kind of has the feel of being the easyjet of eye surgery. They do a few eye tests first and these were fine up until the optometrist, who was a pleasant enough guy but often didn't seem to know what he was talking about and was bluffing some of the answers to my questions (including contradicting some of the stats in their own brochure). If I had had to make a decision whether to proceed with Optimax at this point I would have walked out the door. He did not exude professionalism and you kind of want professionalism when it comes to your eye-sight. Anyway after that got to see the surgeon himself, Dr Patel and he totally inspired confidence. Really put me at ease and said that with my prescription there was a very good chance of an excellent outcome and little chance of any of the possible complications. He recommended epi-lasek as it is safer for lower prescriptions, even if more painful. So that's what I had. Basically the op itself is painless and quick. They give you various drops and tablets to take away with you. Make sure you have someone else there to take it all in and to get you home. Take the painkiller straight away so that it kicks in when the eye drops wear off. As others have said, you are out of action for about 3 days after. The day after, I spent in bed. You can hardly open your eyes. Incredibly light sensitive, watery etc. Get hold of some co-codamol if you can to take as well as the ibuprofen. You basically need strong painkillers and to be as sleepy as possible for that first day. Having the bandage lenses out is no fun. That was the worst bit for me. Had mine done on Friday (op Wednesday) which is a day early. Really need someone still to escort you about at this stage. By Friday night eyes were less sensitive and Sat and Sunday much better. Vision gets better slowly. My big disappointment was that I am not yet 20:20 (6 weeks later), which with my prescription I should have had a good chance of reaching. It is nice not to have glasses etc, but I am aware that I am still slightly short-sighted. It could get better and better over the next months, but if it doesn't then it is a lot of cash for a not perfect outcome. The optometrist (different one to the bluffer) said he thought I was a "bit unlucky". There is the possibility of retreatment but it is a lot of hassle to go through. I can see well enough to drive, but was hoping for more of a wow! Not sure if this would have been the case had I gone to another clinic or not. Hard to know. Could just be my eyes. Having said all that, no regrets. There is a level of anxiety going to Optimax because you have to ask yourself why it is so much cheaper. Are they paying top whack salaries and getting the best clinicians for example? On balance it feels to me that I paid a bargain price and got a less than excellent outcome, but a good enough one. Perhaps it's true: you get what you pay for.

I booked in to the Reading Clinic due to Southampton not being available on the dates I could take off work. Had the initial check up in the morning and was booked in for 15.45. Due to a computer problem I finally went in at 18.00hrs, but having waited for several years before plucking up the courage to get it done this wasn't really an issue. Was prepared for the clamps, suction cups and burning smell after reading comments posted on this forum. Was a bit strange having swabs going over my eye but not being able to feel it. Dr Ayoubi was superb, he could have made an additional £600 - £800 out of me but his suggestions where spot on. Went for Lasik with no thrills and it is amazing to be able to see clearly. Had a bit of soreness & watering eyes for a few hours afterwards but awoke in the morning to be able to see clearly. Went back for the 24hour check up and was up to driving standard. I have noticed that the more I rested my eyes the better my vision got, so spent a chill out day listening to the radio and not doing anything, avoided TV and put the drops every 4 hours. I was -4.75 & -5.00.

Dr Masilamani, my surgeon was fabulous, he put me at ease straight away and made me laugh in the consultation! Unfortunately the receptionist was extremely insensitive when an issue arose on the day and if it hadn't been for the fact that I liked the doctor so much, I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with it because of her. Never mind, I am now contact free and very happy!

I had Lasik at London Optimax clinic about 3 years ago. i got a 2 for 1 deal which is why it only cost me £750 (1500 between the 2 of us). I am looking at the forum at the moment as my son is coming up to 18 and is desperate to get rid of his glasses. I noticed on here that quite a few people on here are scared that because Optimax seem to have lots of offers all the time that you get lower quality treatment. All i can say is that I, (and the other 2-4-1), were extremely impressed with everything about our surgery , after care etc etc, and my eyes have been great ever since, and about 1 hours discomfort the day of the op. when i got home. The greatest testamant that i could give them is that I would take my son to have his eyes done there (even if it were a bit more expensive as i trust them). Only problem is, they wont treat anyone until they are 21. That doesnt sound like a company that are out to make a quick buck by any means possible. So dont be put off by the very commercial way they seem to run the sales part of the company - the surgical care is first class. Jim