Optimax

Had my treatment in Liverpool Optimax. Would not recommend them to anyone. Surgeon was terrifying and told me off for being nervous, which made me worse. Not had any contact or follow up appointment, partly my own fault, but not had a reminder or anything. Was very disappointed that I was not offered a payment plan because I had made the appointment off my own back, but had I have gone to an open day, I would have had 2 years interest free option and £200 discount. Although the girls in the clinic are very nice, it comes across as very much get em in and get em out and make as much money as possible. Once you have paid for your treatment, they don't really seem that interested in you anymore. Now been left with a blurred spot in one eye, but if I'm honest, I don't think I want them to correct it even if they could. To me, £3300 is a lot of money, and the level of service falls way below expectations

I had epi-lasek with Wavefront carried out at Optimax Birmingham on 10th July 2008. The surgery was carried out by Dr Massilimani. I was -5 in my left eye and -5.75 with astigmatism in the right. I also have large pupils at 7mm. An added complication was that I have a partially detached retina repair in my left eye carried out 4 years ago. My initial consultation was with an optometrist who suggested I could have IntraLasik, which I was happy with, as it is the gold standard treatment. On treatment day, I was seen by Dr Massilimani who asked more about my previous eye surgery ( who did it, where and how it happened) and then said that he would only carry out epi-lasek surgery as it carried less risk of damaging my repaired retina. This made me extremely nervous as my research on laser eye surgery indicated that quite short sighted people were more prone to haze. The surgeon was confident that I was a low haze risk but I was still very scared. The surgery itself was very quick and painless but extremely nerve racking. The worst part is when you realise that burning smell is your eyeballs!! and then you start praying that it all goes well. I had bandage lenses fitted after surgery and it was amazing that straight away I could see, a bit blurry mind, but I could see. On the way home, my eyes were scratchy and sore, and I spent the next two days mostly in bed with the curtains drawn against the light. My eyesight was very blurry. After 3 days, I was about more but always with my sunglasses on, even in the house. The lenses were taken out on day 4 and the optometrist commented how well my eyes were healing. But things were still quite blurry and I was rather scared things wouldn't improve. Once the lenses were out my eyesight started to improve steadily and I could drive after a week although computer work was very difficult for about three Comment : weeks. I'm about 7 weeks post surgery and my eyes are fine. I can see at least as well as I could with glasses with only minor halos round streetlights at night, and no starbursts which I got with my glasses. I can live with these after effects. If you are considering this surgery I would say do your homework, know the types of surgery on offer, ask questions about corneal thickness etc, but don't automatically assume that the best treatment is the most expensive. Remember Lasik will cut a flap in your cornea and eye surgeons don't know if it ever truly heals, whereas epi-lasek is a surface treatment which means no flap and less structural damage to the eye. The end result takes longer to achieve with epi, could be up to 3 months, but it does get there. I'm glad I had epi-lasek rather than Lasik for this reason. Epi-lasek has more discomfort after surgery than Lasik but I did not find it unbearable. You must take dark sunglasses for after the surgery as normal daylight seems blinding, and wear them everywhere for the 1st week to protect yours eyes. There is gallons of eye drops to use and you will get used to putting them in. Above all, remember this is a one-way procedure, whichever you have, and there is NO going back. Most people are very happy with the outcome but there are always a few where it goes badly wrong. You must weigh up the pro's and con's of the surgery versus wearing glasses/ lenses.

I had my surgery at Optimax Finchley Road in London by Dr Patel. The whole experience from start to finish was very professional and all the staff did their best to put me at ease. After seeing the advert on TV for cheap eye surgery, I decided to look into it and booked a consultation (£30 which was taken off the final cost of the surgery). You are taken through the usual eye tests plus a few extra to see if you are a candidate for surgery and if so, which type. My prescription was -2.25 in each eye with a mild astigmatism in one eye. I was told I could go for epi-Lasek or Lasik. I decided to go for Lasik which was the most expensive option but I felt the best. I also opted for Intralase (where they make the incision with a laser rather than manually) and had to have Wavefront as I have large pupils. However, as the Wavefront procedure is more tailored to your individual eyes, I would have taken this option anyway. The consultation was with an Optician, not the surgeon. You do not meet the surgeon until the day of surgery. On the day of the surgery, I had a few quick eye tests and then a chat to the surgeon. Dr Patel was lovely and very quickly put me at ease. Then unfortunately, I had to wait about 3 hours before my surgery took place. This was due to one of the other surgeons having to leave for a personal emergency so Dr Patel was trying to cover. When it was time, I was taken into the first room where the incision was made. You have aesthetic eye drops which stop you from feeling anything and one eye is covered while the other is being worked on so once the incision has been made, you can't see anything either. The experience was a little uncomfortable as you have a ring fitted into your eye to keep your eye lids open and slight suction is applied to the eye before the incision which feels quite strange. I was then taken into the main theatre for the actual laser surgery. At this point, it was like looking through frosted glass as the incisions had been made but the flaps had not been yet opened. During the surgery, all you can see are tiny little coloured dots. The laser is quite loud and I did jump when it first started but you soon get used to this. There is also a slight smell of burning but this is by no means over-powering and dissipates very quickly. The whole procedure from start to finish takes about 15 mins. I was then led back to the waiting room and told to sit still, without talking whilst wearing sunglasses for about 30mins. After this time, the surgeon took another look at my eyes just to check everything was ok. I was then given all my drops and instructions and sent home. I did experience some pain about an hour after surgery but it just felt like i had shampoo in my eyes and after taking 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetomol, the pain went away. Make sure you have someone with you to administer the eye drops on the first night as I found I was unable to. You have to sleep with eye guards taped to your face for the first week which is quite uncomfortable and also have to wear swimming goggles to shower. Ladies, no eye make-up for at least two weeks either. The next day, i went back for my first after care appointment. One eye was up to 20:20 vision but the other was taking a little longer to heal which is normal. I found I was very sensitive to light and wore my sunglasses inside and outside for the first week. I was back at work 3 days after surgery. Following my second aftercare appointment, I now have 20:20 vision in both eyes and couldn't be happier. You have to go through a couple of weeks of discomfort, wearing the eye guards, goggles, sunglasses and constantly putting eye drops in, but within a month this is all over and you are left with perfect vision!!! I'm very happy with the results and very pleased I chose to go with Optimax. One good hint, you can get money-off vouchers from eBay to reduce the cost of your surgery. I got £400 taken off the cost of mine.

Had Epi-Lasek done at Optimax in Newcastle in March of this year and can't believe I didn't get it done sooner. Picked Optimax because of the good reviews on this site and they were great. One minor niggle was that as my surgery was scheduled just before Easter, I had to go to Leeds to get my bandage lenses taken out as Newcastle branch not open on Easter Saturday. Leeds branch were great too. I went for the cheaper surgery as decided that saving £1000 was worth it for a couple of days of pain! And it was very painful, although I had expected this as they tell you in the info pack that it will be painful. It was like having someone stab me in the eye for 2 days!!! Take the medication as it takes the edge off and I did have to use the anaestetic eye drops for when it was really bad but they really helped. I noticed a definite improvement in vision straightaway and could drive in 5 days and after 2 follow up appointments now have 20:20 vision. I did have problems with dry eyes on a night for the first month but had gel to put in and this soon cleared up. I can't praise the procedure, the staff and the surgeon enough. I have already recommended it to a friend who has had it done and she wishes she had it done sooner too. I'd say if your prescription is ok for the cheaper one and you can stand the pain save yourself £1000 as in the end it's worth it.

Had my procedure at Optimax Southampton. Excellent service all round and extremely grateful to Dr Ayoubi who's reassurance prior to surgery and during surgery was very welcome. Professional to the core. Still in recovery, 6 days post op and all though I have had to adjust the computer settings to be able to view it, my vision is slowly improving! Thanks to all at Southampton

Treated in Belfast Clinic by Dr Qazi - excellent 1 week on and have 2020 vision was -2.25 in both eyes now 0.00. Straight after the surgery I was reading number plates across the street. Dry eyes arent really a problem (took flaxseed oil for weeks before) halos are there but as i have 8mm pupils it was expected but they should fade. Currently the halos arent too bad I can drive without any problems. Highly recommended and the staff are excellent

Excellent. Did all my homework & decided OPTIMAX were the best! I attended the Manchester Clinic & I have to say they were the best in all aspects of treatment. The staff, Doctor all were brilliant. Surgery was cool! I'd have it done again if I could!!!

Do you do a free consultantion if not how much does it cost?

Very pleased as I was very short sighted (nearly -9 in both eyes!). Had worn contact lenses for 20 years and hated wearing specs. Wanted surgery done for years. I had the surgery carried out at Optimax Birmingham and not London as stated above, although it was a surgeon from the London clinic who carried out the procedure. It is 6 months down the line now and my vision is 20/20, no more specs and lenses - excellent!!! Highly recommend it!

I was very pleased with the result the next day. i dont know why i was so nervous on the day as you dont feel a thing. you just smell a burning thats when they laser your eyes.i went to the one in croydon. staff very friendly.waiting times are so long as they do everyones eyes in batches we all come back for some time.it is so nice to see the things i missed before.you just got to keep putting your eye drops in.eyes are bit blood shot but they settle down.i wished i had it done years ago.they also do interest free credit if you cant afford it.make sure you eat before treatment and take sunglasses with you for outdoors.when you have treatment done your eyes cry like you have peeled onions but that is because of the treatment. good luck.