Optimax

On spec, I made an appointment with Optical Express Shaftesbury Ave to see if I could get eye surgery done. On the day, I phoned to say I was running a little late. I was told they had no record of my appointment. After making another appointment later that day, I was tested, and yes I could have it done but it would have to be Wavefront Lasik with femtosecond for £3200. At the time I said ok and filled in the credit forms. Top tip for you optical express - don't have your salespeople (as you don't do the intial tests with surgeons) gloat about having booked such an expensive op in front of the customer! 3 of them were loudly boasting about it as one of them was quite knew to the job (shown by his making of mistakes with the equipment). Is this the sort of place to trust your vision? I phoned the next day to cancel and once they stopped hanging up the phone when they tried to transfer me, and managed how to spell that rare name "Stephen" told me it was cancelled. They did try to lie and say they were the cheapest - they are not: I went to Optimax and had I had the same procedure would haved saved hundreds anyway. The surgeon at Optimax said there was no need for wavefront too, saving more money. Total at Optimax: £2090. OPtical Express are just a bunch of car salespeople - don't trust them

Can't praise the Glasgow clinic and Dr. Anwar well enough. I am about 7 weeks after Epi-lasek. The first 4 days you want to stay in bed and sleep just take your painkillers every 4 hours. After the lenses are taken our on the 4th day you will see a great improvement everytime you wake up. Driving standard after 7-10 days. I have used Co-codamol and Dromadol for pain which worked great. I chose Epi-lasek because I had the time on my hands and really didn't want the flap on my eye that never heals after Lasik! So I opted for more pain and longer recovery (epi-lasek)as opposed to Quick recovery but permanent flap on your eye and so more risk (Lasik). That's why for those that are below 5 dpt I would recommend to get Epi-lasek done. Lasik however is worth it for those who can't have epi-lasek done. My eyes were -3.50 and -2.25 with slight astigmatism on left eye. 6 weeks later they are one line passed 20:20 with my right eye slightly weaker. I have already taken my vision for granted so I haven't even noticed any more improvement, but there was significantly more improvement since my last check-up. I am very pleased and except of occasional grittiness I have no any problems. I can recommend Optimax to everyone who is still hesitating. I went to Optical Express and they would charge me £1490, for the same operation. My sister-in-law has to go there for re-treatment after she had lasik done there about 3 months ago. Thanks to the ebay option in Optimax more people can get this done in more than reasonable price. There's appointments that would otherwise be wasted so Optimax opted for giving it away in a discount price. Thank you Optimax and God for my new eyes!!

I had Lasik Wavefront Intralase at Newcastle on 24 July 2007. I was -2.00 in each eye beforehand. The biggest surprise I had was when the nurse showed me all the bottles of eye-drops I needed to take - there were more than I was expecting - but actually they're not too bad: The eye-drops I had to use were Exocin (antibiotic) 4 times a day for a week and FML (Flourometholone (Anti-inflammatory)) 6 times a day for a week and then 4 times a day for three weeks. I also got Refresh ‘artificial tears’ to use for dry eyes whenever necessary (always first thing in the morning, but otherwise not very often). All of the drops are clear, watery low-concentration drops - not stinging or sticky - they're about as easy as eye-drops can get. I'd never used eye-drops before so it took a day or two to get used to them (to stop flinching everytime I put them in!), but after that they've been fine. I think it’s definitely worth buying some cotton-wool pads before the operation and having a bottle of sterilised (boiled then cooled) water ready at home - it's the only way to clean your eyes for the first few days and it's nice to have it all ready to use straightaway. The operation itself was pretty easy - not pleasant (apart from when the laser's working - it's pretty cool then) but not so bad really (just uncomfortable and exciting/scary (a little bit of both if you know what I mean) – but really nothing to worry about). Afterwards I kept my eyes closed as much as possible for that night and the whole of the next day. I went back to work two days after the operation – it wasn’t easy working on a computer all day but it was do-able. I was just really tired at the end of the day. On the third day I worked all day and went out to the movies on the night – my eyes felt as good as normal all day long. Drove home at night - lights looked like they do on a misty night (you know that pretty halo/glow effect?). It’s less prominent now and gradually improving but even at first it didn’t make driving difficult at all. A week and a half on and I’m really appreciating how incredible it is to have perfect sight again! (20/20 as tested one week after the operation). The question of which clinic to go to seemed to be the hardest decision I had to make. I researched plenty beforehand – and I eventually came to the conclusion that pretty much everywhere that offers laser surgery is a professional, accurate, careful place. Optimax won on price and proximity – but I’m sure I’d have been as happy anywhere. Although having said that the staff at Newcastle were all really friendly and their waiting room/reception is a plush, relaxing place. Which is nice! :-) I bought through e-bay - although I have to admit that it did take a while before I could come to terms with the idea of discounted surgery! I had to make absolutely sure that it was no different from the non-discounted kind (It isn't). So that’s it I guess – a couple more weeks of eye-drops and then I’ll be done! It’s amazing how easy and quick it all is! What an extraordinary and wonderful thing to have done!

I had lasik treatment to both eyes on Monday 23rd July 2007 (which was only 2 days ago). I underwent the treatment at the Birmingham Clinic, the staff and specialists were fantastic. The surgery itself was painless, a little uncomfortable in preparing the eye but the actual laser treatment was painless. The treatment took 20mins in total. I felt discomfort for a couple of hours when the anesthetic wore off, but by mid to late evening I felt much better. I woke up the next day with no problems, I had near perfect sight in the one eye but the other eye was still a little blur. Upon returning to the clinic for my aftercare check later in the day, the bandage lens were removed and I had excellent 20/20 vision. In less than 24 hours my vision had fully returned and my glasses and contact lenses were thrown away - Absolutely fantastic !!!! I can't praise the staff enough and I would certainly recommend the treatment and the Birmingham Clinic to anyone - this has already transformed my life and it has only been 2 days !!!!!

I had epi-lasek in March and can honestly say it is the best thing I have done. I found Optimax to be professional, very honest in terms of possible side effects etc and efficient. My surgeon was Mr Patel, who was wonderful - and was honest regarding the pain I would go through etc. At no point did I feel sold to - which after a 'consultation' at Ultralase, which was actually more like a sales pitch, I found most refreshing. My eyes took about 10 days to fully settle, and what a scary 10 days - I thought it had all gone wrong. I had 1 night of pain, 2 days of extreme discomfort and blurry vision for about 5 days. I was discharded yesterday with 20/20 vision. Yippee! NB: I work for the NHS and got a 30% discount on my treatment.

I had my laser surgery at optimax after reading the reviews on this site. They seemed to be the best value for money based on average cost of surgery and customer ratings. I managed to get double discount, which was also great. I had a letter saying a special offer of £400 an eye (Epi-Lasek) was available with £300 extra per eye for wavefront. I also managed to get an ebay discount added, which brought the total cost to £1120 for Epi-Lasek on both eyes including wavefront. Phenomenal value. I had my consulation and surgery on the same day and the surgery took about 10 mins! There was a delay of about an hour running up to it, however. There was no explanation for it but when I finally asked they said I'd be seen very shortly, and I was. I did suffer for the first day but this was because I failed to use the anti-inflammatories and the tear drops they gave me. I wasn't paying enough attention to what they were telling me about how to use it, so for anyone else reading this I'd say ensure that you start using the drops as soon as your home after surgery. As soon as I started using the drops my life became a lot easier. I had my bandage contact lenses removed after three days and I have to say I couldn't wait to get them out. I found them very irritating. On my way home after this somehow an eyelash managed to find its way into my left eye and it was agony. My eye was streaming and I couldn't touch it to get it out. I had to get my friend to take me back to the clinic and they immediately saw to me and removed the lash. Unfortunately because of the rubbing from the lash they had to put another bandage contact lense into that eye. This was removed without incident after another three days. I have been back for my check ups and at my last check up, after just eight weeks, I am able to read the line second from the very bottom line. This is already better than 20/20 and improvement can continue for up to a year after surgery! I have one more check up in a few weeks and then I'm signed off. I'd like to say that optimax have been consumate professionals and very accomodating and considering the amount I paid, exceptional value for money. Recommended, in fact my girlfriend has just had hers done on my recommendation. I'll get her to post her thoughts in a couple of months, when the treatment has had time to be effective.

I had epi lasek at Optimax Glasgow on Monday, 16th July 2007. The surgery itself took all in less than 5 minutes don't get me wrong its not very pleasant but a means to an end. The doc told me i could use my own paracetamol based medication along with the prescription he gave me i asked if cocodamol was ok he said yes so i had no pain whatsoever i am telling the truth - when the anaesthetic wore off about 4 hours later it was hard to open my eyes so i took my sleeping pill and went to bed! I awoke every 4 hrs (during the night don't get me wrong)took my cocodamol and on the Tuesday i was fine looking after my one year old. On Wednesday i took no medication and had a check up Thurs to get my bandages removed. I was dreading it & it was absolutely fine! I have had no runny/dry eyes, no gritting my only thing that concerns me is how long it will take and if even will i achieve 20:20 vision. My prescription was -2.25 both eyes and my corneas were too thin for Lasek my doc said i didn't need to fork out for Wavefront i had initially went to Optical Express and they quoted me £2700 telling me i could get the works!! I ended up getting my price for Optimax from Ebay I am really pleased just waiting to see how my eye sight goes...

I had my eyes done at Finnchley Road by Dr. Patel and he was fantastic. Really good bedside manner. Listened carefully to my concerns and took time to explain his answers. Didnt rush me into a decision. As for the procedure, he talked me the whole way through explaining each step. Great man. I had a bumpy 3 months where my eyes took time to heal after Epi-Lasek but at 3 months I had better than 2020 vision. Optimax themselves were really good. On my worried days I would telephone my concerns and someone always phoned me back and took time reassuring me and listening to me.

I had Lasek with wavefront technology at Leeds office on Saturday 23rd June. Eye sight was -2.50 in both eyes. Surgeon Dr Samuel who explained everything and made sure I had done my research. Operation was not pleasant, surreal having eyes scrapped and vision blurring then returning. It did not hurt you just have to ignore the fact someone is scarping your eye. Then the smell of burning 'hair' from the laser as your eyes get zapped! Managed to get home, but I could not find a room dark enough for the next 2 days. After 2 days I could open my eyes a little to see roughly where I was going. Only pain was on days three when the eye drops were put in and it was agony for 15 minutes! Apart from that it was uncomfatable with the bandage contact lenses feeling like they were drying out. Warning YOU NEED SOMEONE AT HOME TO LOOK AFTER YOU! Until my bandaged contact lenses were removed I could not see clear enough to do most things including finding the pain killers, sleeping tables, eye drops, antibiotics. Bandage contact lenses were removed on Wednesday and I could see, not clear but better than without glasses before the operation. Now a month later I have near perfect vision in one eye (right) and the other is slightly long sighted. It is amazing seeing again and not needing glasses or contact lenses. I wake in the morning and see! I still sometimes at bedtime think I have to take off my glasses or remove my contact lenses... I wish I had done it years ago. I would recommend it to anyone, but you have to be made aware of all the possible risk involved and I am so glad nothing serious has gone wrong for me. What has gone wrong for me:- Sometimes when I wake up I feel like my left eye lids are glued together onto my eye. Very strange feeling but if I remember to move my eyes around first then open my eye lid then no proble. I might have a little dry eye when I remember to use the eye drops there is usually no problem. When looking at TV, PCs, Cinemas screen the eye can dry out and you have to blink more. Sometimes the sun can seem too bright, or if you walk into a dark room and turn the light on it is way too bright!

I am going to be having Lasik surgery in August at the Finchley Road Optimax. Has anyone had surgery here? Also I know I'll be seeing Dr Patel, what is he like?