Laser eye surgery - brilliant (Optical Express)

Member Name: morwenna13

Product:	Optical Express
Date:	09/01/09 (550 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Perfect eyesight, good price

Disadvantages: Bit weird that clinics are in shopping centres

I am writing this from the perspective of someone who had Lasik 3 years ago now as I feel that it is good to hear from people who had it done a while ago! I had my Lasik done at Optical Express in Southampton, with my consultations at Torquay. It cost £1200 for me which I paid in monthly instalments with a £200 deposit. I wore contact lenses for short-sightedness and had a low prescription of -1.5.

At first I was a bit perturbed that the clinic and consultation centre were in shopping centres, it seemed a bit weird that a medical procedure should be carried out in those sorts of environments! It made it seem a bit 'cheapy' but I am pleased to say that it didn't affect or alter the procedure at all.

After a barrage of tests, including eye drops that make your pupils 5 times the size and very sensitive to light (therefore no driving), I was deemed a suitable candidate and booked in for the surgery around 4 weeks later. At the clinic where I had to op, it was quite basic and there was a waiting room with a few people in it which added to the 'quick and easy' procedure feeling! After having some numbing drops put in, I had the procedure done. The procedure itself is a nerve-wracking affair. I wasn't nervous beforehand but as soon as they clamped my eyelid back I started to feel a little jittery! The procedure itself didn't hurt but I won't lie; it was a bit gross feeling them prodding around and very invasive. Luckily it only lasts a very short time and within 10 minutes I was back out in the waiting room where they ask you to stay for a while.

As soon as I was OK to leave, my husband took me back to the hotel and the anaesthetic started to wear off. My eyes were streaming and were very painful, it felt as if I had soap in them but nothing got rid of the feeling so I went to sleep for a few hours and when I woke up they didn't hurt anymore. Upon opening my eyes it felt as if they had water in them and this feeling lasted for around 2 days. There is a lot of aftercare involved and it is important to follow this. There are also a lot of follow up appointments - 24 hours after, 1 week after, 1 month after and then 6 months after.

I am pleased to say that, 3 years on, I had my first eye test following the Lasik recently and the optician said my eyesight was perfect. He happened to be an eye-surgeon himself and said that they'd done a very good job (even though he worked for Optimax!) and that it couldn't have gone better, from a professional point of view.

I am very pleased that I had the Lasik done when I did as I couldn't afford it now, having children! It also worked out financially better for me and it is wonderful not worrying about lenses and glasses again.

Summary: Very pleased with my Lasik