Optimax

I has lasik surgery on 29th March 02 at the Edinburgh clinic with Dr Pillai performing the surgery. Pre op checks went fine and the clinic was running smoothly - albeit a little late. As I have small eyes, there was some discomfort in applying the eye clamps and a definite pressure when the incision was made. I'm told that if my eyes had been bigger there would have been no problems, but it was over relatively quickly. The surgery itself was very quick, the smell wasn't as bad as I had imagined - rather like singed hair! I was able to see blurrily right after the surgery - and was shocked by how much difference loosing the astigmatism caused! My original prescription was -5.75 in both eyes, plus a fairly large astigmatism. I'm not sure what it rests at now, but will know more at the 1 week check up this Friday. I do know that my eyes are driving standard (3rd line up on chart) which has pleased me no end. I found my eyes healed quickly - despite large amounts of discomfort following the op and the next day. Three days later I'm back at work and using the computer. Near sight vision is not as crisp as I'd expected, but that may alter in the coming week and it is a huge relief to be only using the prescribed drops as my eyes do not feel particularly dry or irritated (no more so than with contact lenses). On the whole, I'm thrilled with the results - although remaining cautious until my next check up. To wake up each day and not reach for my glasses is a real miracle as far as I'm concerned! More updates following appointment this Friday(4th April)

Just had a check after 2 months and been advised that my vision is better than 20/20. I had to agree as my vision now is even better than it was with contact lenses. Fingers crossed it stays the same

Had Lasek treatment done on both eyes at Optimax Clinic, Manchester on 15th April, by Dr Mathen. Was really impressed with thorough tests on my eyes before having surgery. The treatment is completely pain-free and I was kept informed of what was going on all the way through the procedure. After an hour after treatment I felt some discomfort in both eyes which I would describe as being like having soap in your eyes! I went straight to bed after taking pain-killers and sleeping pills and felt much better the following day. A couple of days after treatment I was able to open my eyes fully and could see quite clearly. It has now been almost a week since my treatment and I've been out and about with no discomfort and of course no glasses! Can't wait to find out what my prescription is now at my aftercare appointment. Money well spent and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone.

Had Lasek procedure done on both eyes on 11th April at Bristol Clinic. I was very light sensitive for first few days and its did hurt. Its was boring being stuck in my room all day in the dark but a few days later.............. Fantastic! no glasses no fiddling with lenses and worrying about keeping them in too long. it was money well spent - my 2 week check showed right eye perfect, left eye .75, but this will still correct itself. I don't notice its at all! back again in another 3 weeks. I'm off to Australia in the summer and its great to know I will be able to scuba in Great Barrier reef without having to worry - well apart from the sharks anyway! if you have any questions id be only to happy to help. Bindy x

I have just been signed off today from Optimax, Finchley Road, my surgeon was Dr Patel. I had Lasik on both eye's on the 16th January 2003, It's clear to all that are about to take a decision to have a flap cut from their eye and then under go a laser to burn your eye into the correct shape that this is scary stuff. My eye's before the op were R -3.25 and L -2.75. The whole experience was very good, First the op was completly painless and very quick, by the same evening I was watching TV un-aided, at first I had some difficulty reading however this improved over a week. I was most concerned about night driving, spikes from car lights appeared quite bad, but yet again this has improved to the point I can't notice it anymore but it took 2-3 months to fully settle down. I was discharged today R +0.50 L 0.00. I also had a company medical a couple of weeks ago and explained that i had Lasik in January, after the checks the Doctor said that they did a very good job on your eye's. Bottom line is I believe it's the best decision and best money that I have every spent, I can't even remember most of the grief about wareing glasses and contacts. Anyway full marks to Optimax and special Thanks to Dr Patel

Hi all, this is my experience with Optimax (LONG!) : I "was" shortsighted. Approx -5 in each eye with about -3.25 astigmatism which is very high. I first contacted Optimax about 7 yrs ago but was advised at the consultation not to proceed as the laser technology at the time wasn't ideally suitable for treating my level of astigmatism. So, I contacted Optimax again in February this year (2003). At the consultation I was informed that things had changed considerably and that achieving 20/20 vision after treatment was now in the 90-95% range rather than 60% before (1996). So I booked up for the treatment on 24th Feb. Because my cornea is on the thin side I was advised that Lasek (Epiflap) was the only option. Also I was advised to have my non-dominant eye treated first. My consultation was with Dr Almasri who was very polite and knowledgeable. I wasn't pressured at any time and he answered all my questions. So, 24th Feb arrived. I was a little nervous as my appointment was 8.40 Monday morning in Finchley and the drive down was hell (as usual). Upon arrival I had to complete the consent form etc. I was offered a Valium (which I took!) and about 10'ish was called in for treatment. You first enter a side room to the main operating room. I was given anaesthetic eye drops and asked to put on a cap and plastic bags over my shoes. Then I was led in to the treatment room and asked to lie down on the table. My head was positioned under the laser. I could see flashing red lights above. First a gauze was placed over the non-treated eye and then some extra gauze around the treated eye (to catch all the drops!). Some more eyedrops were adminstered and Dr Almasri (the same doctor performs the treatment as the one in your consultation) placed a clamp over the eye to keep the eyelids open. This is not nearly as bad as I imagined it would be and in fact was rather comfortable almost immediately. Next an instrument which I can only describe as a polo on a stick was placed on the surface of the eye and the alcohol solution was applied. This softens the epithelium. I could hear the nurse count up to 40 seconds when the polo stick(!) was removed and some more drops applied. Next I could (almost) see Dr Almasri use another instrument to gently push the epithelium out of the way. At this point everything went blurry. Next was the laser! I was told the laser would be applied for about 40 seconds. I had to focus on the red flashing light. A clicking sound could be heard and I could smell burning! Once finished, more eyedrops and then the epithelium was pushed back in place. A soft contact lense was applied followed by more drops - yep, you've guessed - lots and lots of eye drops! I was asked if I was ok and then left the operating room. I could see a dramatic improvement in my vision straight away - not crystal clear but not far off. In the side room I was given a bag containing antibiotic eye drops, painkillers and sleeping tablets and then sent home. Upon leaving Optimax it was amazing being able to look down Finchley road and read signs, number plates etc!! Later that day after resting, I could not tolerate bright light so I just closed the curtains and went to bed. The next 24hrs I couldn't stand the light. But there was no pain which was good. By Wednesday I was able to go outside again without sunglasses etc.. Thursday I had to return to have the bandage lenses removed. Leading up to Thursday my vision had gotten slightly worse but when the bandage lense was removed it was crystal! Obviously the lense, like normal contacts, was getting grubby. I was informed my vision was alreadby better than 20/20 and I left the clinic beaming like a cheshire cat. Now this is the really important part. Over the next month or so a number of things happened. At first, night vision was poor. Sometimes my eye would get blurry. My vision fluctuated and finally settled about 6 weeks after surgery. To everyone considering surgery you must be prepared for these kind of things to happen. I'm not saying they will as we all heal differently. All i'm saying is, is that you are having surgery and you need to give your eyes time to heal. Things will change at first but should settle! About 3 weeks ago I had my right eye treated. Again, quick and painless. The sensitivity to light took a little longer - 48hrs as opposed to 24, but the vision got to 20/20 much quicker. I had a checkup on both eyes last week and my vision is now 20/10 or 6/4 which is absolutely amazing. All in all, I am extremely pleased with Optimax. My only real criticism is that although the consent form informs you of all the side effects you may experience, someone should really sit down with you once treatment has taken place and go through them with you. I experienced glare, halos, blurry vision, poor night vision etc.. but all of these were shortlived and I believe, part of the healing process. Experiencing this could cause a lot of panic in some people thinking their treatment has failed etc.. I hope this helps any of you considering surgery. If you have any questions etc..drop me a line at russ@fireflyuk.net. cheers Russ.

I was given Lasek (Epiflap) treatment by Dr. Almasri at the Finchley Road, London clinic on 22nd May 2003, and must say that I am really pleased with the the results. I found the staff at the clinic were very helpful, efficient and proffessional. Having spent many hours surfing the net for information I felt I was prepared for all eventualities. The treatent itself was painless and the aftercare instructions easy to follow. My eyesight was around -3.00 in each eye and I now seem to have perfect vision with none of the possible problems that you hear about.

Went for my second aftercare appointment and I'm very pleased with the fact that I have better that 20/20 vision in my right eye and 20/20 vision in my left. I Would definately recommend the treatment to anyone and have got to say that it was money well spent!

I had bi-laterl Epiflap PRK on Sat 7th June, 6pm by Dr Anwar @ the Glasgow clinic on my large pupils (7mm). I found the op itself painless but terrifying when everything goes blurry - I was convinced I wasn;t looking at the light !!! Dr Anwar was very reassuring. He has been an eye doctor for over 30 years, and has done over 4000 PRK's. I spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday in bed, no pain during the op or after but had great difficulty in opening my eyes. The uncomfortable feeling was comparable to having an eyelash in your eye and not being able to flush it away. Last night I started seeing the TV really clear = on and off. A little halo around my tv standby button in dark, but no worse than with contacts. I couldn't read anything yesterday close up and my eyes were very sticky and watery. This morning I got up, wiped my eyes with sterile water, put in my cream and have had my eyes open ever since. My near vision is fluctuating somewhat but enough to get by, my tv level vision is sharper than before but still not perfect although I have flashes of near perfect vision. My eyes are quite dry, not overly gritty and little hazy but I was expecting this. The improvment form yesterday to today is nothing short of amazing and long may it continue. Will keep you updated. One last thing, Dr Anwar is an excellent, lovely attitude, very honest (warned me about halos with my pupils) and willl not pressure you at all.

too update you all on my treeatment,i had my consultatation on friday 6th june with DR Samuel at Leeds,i found out that after 20yrs wearing glasses i have astigmatismn,and some scaring of the cornea,the consultation was very clinical,if wary when you go in you are when the DRhas finished,everything is explained to you ,so that you understand,no rush.Ihad the treatment that day,rest of day in bed and saturday,most of sunday,pain started too ease on tuesday,eye sight is nothing short of a miricle,can a last see the alarm clock,thankyou DR Samuel.