St. James Laser Vision

After much research of laser eye surgery the pros, cons, dangers and different procedures etc. I decided to book a consultation at St James Laser Vision after being impressed by their website. I had my consultation in July 2007 with Mr Ball and felt he was very professional, experienced, competent, and able to fully answer my long list of queries and questions. This was just what I was looking for in the surgeon I would entrust my sight to. After more research of other clinics I decided to go ahead and book my surgery at St James. I had Lasek (surface treatment) in October 2007. I felt fully informed of the procedure and risks, what to expect and that all my questions and concerns had been answered before going through with it. I had originally wanted Lasik due to fast healing, virtually no pain but it was recommended I go for Lasek it was fully explained to me the reasons why this was the best treatment option. Mr Ball and team were great and put me right at ease as I was so nervous. The procedure was over quickly and I had both eyes done at the same time. The first week after was hard as expected but on my first check up a few days later my vision was already massively improved. I had originally been above -4 in both eyes pre surgery. Things continued to improve and vision stabilised and evened out in both eyes over the coming weeks (healing process is slower with lasek). The dry eyes and grittiness I had experienced lessened as time progressed. Anyway I had my 6 month check up in April 2008 and everything is great, better than 20/20 vision that is sharp and clear in both eyes. I have had no night vision problems either. I feel so lucky and privileged to have my vision back again without glasses I hated wearing and contact lens which always felt uncomfortable to the point where I stopped wearing them. It has been a truly life changing experience for the better. I wish to thank Mr Ball and his team for their excellent care throughout I couldn't have asked for a better team to entrust my sight to.

I would like to use this forum to first of all give a big thank you to Mr James Ball, who was my consultant throughout. He was very patient despite my incessant questioning, very re-assuring and ultimately professional. I would highly recommend him to anyone considering laser treatment. I would secondly like to review the treatment itself. I had Lasek treatment carried out on both eyes (I was -6 in left and -3 in right) on the same day. First week was tough (I was told it would be!!), but after that my sight went from strength to strength and on having my 3 month check, was told that my eyes are 2 lines better than 20/20 - I have vision better than I ever had wearing glasses or contacts - and it is the same in both eyes despite the difference in my prescriptions. I am needless to say, delighted with the result To sum up, anyone considering having this treatment can do no better than a visit to Mr Ball at St James' laser vision - they have the best surgeons, best equipment (and the initial consultation is free), and judging by Ultralase forum, the best prices as well. Thank you again

Extremely professional service by all the staff involved. Procedure performed by James Ball who was patient, knowlegeable and the most professional individual I have ever dealt with, a true professional.

I decided to have Eye Surgery because my glasses were starting to resemble milk bottle bottoms. I have a passion for photography and the wearing of glasses with a camera is not at all practical. I thought that my chances of been accepted for Laser Eye Surgery were not too good because I have been wearing glasses for over twenty two years. As the eye-test is free, I thought why not give it a try. St James Laser Vision carried out extensive tests and concluded that I had very healthy Corneas and that it would be fine to have Laser Eye Surgery. I had the surgery on the 28th of September - the surgery was totally pain free. I had both eyes done at the same time and the results were almost instant. Apart from a slight temporary "blurriness" for a few days and a little light sensitivity, there were no other problems resulting from the surgery. Now, I can easily read the whole of the eye chart without glasses and I can also read the very smallest print in a newspaper. I would like to say many thanks to everyone concerned who made it so easy for me and an especially big thanks to James Ball. In conclusion, if you are thinking of having Laser Eye Surgery, try these guys - they really are the best in their field.

My advice - do it........... Undertaking any type of surgery is a concern. When you are doing it for 'cosmetic' reasons you therefore have to be as confident as you can be that the outcome will meet your expectations. The treatment at St James met my expectations, the outcome has been excellent - no more glasses or contact lenses, 4 months on I am still suprised how good things are. I felt I was treated as an individual and all my questions were answered. There was no 'hard sell' and I felt the decision to go ahead was mine - but I was clearly told the facts and risks involved (minimal). The fact that this centre is also in the biggest Teaching Hospital in the country gave extra reassurance. From my experiences - I can highly recommend the treatment at the St James's centre and Mr Ball.

I had LASIK carried out two weeks ago at St James's Laser Vision and I can only begin to describe how delighted I am with the results! I really feel like I am seeing the world with new eyes! As an optometrist my eyes are my livelihood and my sight extremely precious to me so for giving me perfect vision I cannot thank Mr Morrell and the team enough. Since the surgery my vision is amazing and my eyes are white, comfortable and healthy without my lenses in every day. After depending on contact lenses and glasses for the past 10 years I decided to finally take the plunge and look into laser eye surgery. I chose to go to St James's Laser Vision because I felt that it was somewhere I would be treated as a person and not just another pair of eyes to make a quick buck from. As an optometrist practicing in the area and hearing numerous glowing reviews from Mr Morrell and Mr Ball's patients, I knew that they were both top corneal consultants with excellent reputations and surgical results and so I felt 100% safe in their hands. And I was not wrong!... Mr Morrell was knowledgeable, informative and extremely thorough and I had complete trust in his 20 years of experience and expertise. Not only this, he is a lovely lovely man who is very friendly and easy to talk to and I felt that he actually cared about me. On the day of the first operation I was quite nervous but Mr Morrell, Trish and the team reassured me and put me at ease. I had one eye lasered at a time which I felt was much safer and really not much of an inconvenience. Mr Morrell had already explained the procedure and shown me what I would have to do so nothing was a shock. It took just 5 minutes for the procedure, which was painless and at most a slightly wierd experience! I noticed the difference immediately even though things were slightly fuzzy for a day and couldn't wait for the second eye to be done! Unbelievably, I did not even get any slight irritation. Now, two weeks later, my vision is 2 lines better that 20/20 in each eye and I have had no problem with haloes, glare or dryness. I could not ask for more. Overall, I would recommend St James's Laser Vision to anyone thinking about laser eye surgey and I will definately tell my patients to go there over anywhere else. If you want the best care, the best surgeons, the best equipment, St James's Laser Vision really is the only choice and worth paying more for.

I had my surgery under the care of Mr Morrill and simply cannot thank him enough for his unbelievable commitment and care. I suffered with dry eyes as i worse contact lenses for 20 years daily. For 18 months I was advised not to have surgery until my tear film had improved. After I stopped wearing contact lenses completely for 3 months I was able to undergo surgery. Mr Morrill knows exactly what he is doing and advises you properly every step of the way so you are fully aware of the procedure and how your eyes will heal after surgery. The after care I received was amazing Mr Morrill saw me straight away after I was experiencing irritation he changed my medication and prevented me from getting any infections. I would highly recommend him and can say this was the best thing I have done.

I've worn glasses and contacts for most of my life, but when I developed an intolerance to contact lenses, I began to look into laser eye surgery, which I'd always wanted to do. I initially looked at some high street opticians which advertised everywhere, but while doing online research I stumbled across St James Laser Vision. I liked that it was connected with St James Hospital and it seemed to focus on treatment/health more than money/sales, which gave me confidence in them. When I went for my consultation, I was sold at St James. James Ball explained I needed Lasek, rather than Lasik, due to thin corneas and dryness. He went through the results of my tests with me so I understood what would happen and why, and how my recovery would differ from Lasik. I admit I was disappointed that the price had gone up just before my consultation, so I paid nearly £1k more than I'd intended, but I'd already made my mind up to have it. I got a 0% interest payment plan and besides, it's totally worth it! The actual surgery was very quick, although the recovery was uncomfortable and I was off work for more than a week. Dr Ball answered any and all questions I had and was very reassuring, so I felt like I knew what was coming next and didn't have to worry. The surgery provided me with all of the eye drops / medications I needed and were very good about explaining what I could expect during the recovery process. At my month checkup my left eye still had some catching up to do to my right, but at my 3 month checkup my vision in both eyes was better than 20/20, and aside from the occasional dry eyes (when I use the drops I was given), I've not had any complications or pain. It's amazing to wake up in the morning and be able to see, and I love not having to worry about taking out contacts. I am so glad I went with St James Laser Vision - they're professional, they know what they're doing, and I felt like a person who mattered, not just another sale. I'd highly recommend them!

Mr. Morrell and his team thoroughly looked after me, and I knew I was in safe hands. A top class service from start to finish. Delighted.

After doing research on Laser treatment I am so pleased I decided to choose St James, both staff and consultants are very caring and made me feel comfortable throughout. James Ball is most Proffessional and caring, he explained everything before and during the operation. I was most impressed with the before and after care received and would highly reccommend and encourage anyone who is thinking of having Laser surgery to go to ST James.