Laser Eye Surgery Cost Cutting Tips

Wheely_Wonderful

my wife had lasik about 10 years ago, all good, she is now finding she needs to start wearing glasses for reaally clear vision.
Can laser treatment be used again to recorrect her eyes?

honest_geezer

Jumping_John wrote: »

Unfortunately you are right to be worried about the laser Optimax use - it was the worse performing laser in the US FDA trials. For a higher prescription you may need to look away from the high street clinics as they will sometimes put a high price on a high prescription.

Is there a link to the tests so I can have a little look as well?

kittykat23uk

Hi all,

I have been considering laser eye surgery for a few years and went for a consultation with OE back in 2008 and most recently last Monday with Optimax. My most recent prescription is:

Right eye -6.00 cyl -1.00
left eye-5.50 cyl -1.25
I have further complications of large pupils and thin corneas.
I'm 32 yrs of age and my pescription seems to have changed ever so slightly compared to two years ago (My right eye was -6.25 before).
OE recommended that I would need LASIK with wavefront. At the time I believe the price was in the order of £3500.

I was lured by a recent internet deal through Optimax for half price lasik treatment which means the above procedure would cost me £1995. Therefore, I went to the clinic (Ipswich) for a consulation.
According to Optimax I'm borderline for their LASIK with Wavefront procedure, owing to the thin corneas primarily but also the strength of my prescription. At the moment I'm waiting to hear back from the surgeon that they have assigned me as to which procedure he'd recommend. An initial discussion between the surgeon and the clinic staff has resulted in him leaning more towards LASEK.

Given my concerns re being a borderline case, I then went back to OE today to double check what I had been recommended for before, Yep it was definitely LASIK! The woman at OE then went on to describe the different lasers that they use and their supposed superiority to the ones used by Optimax. So I don't know what to do for the best now. I'm definitely not keen to have LASEK and am now concerned whether I'll get less than optimal results going with Optimax even if they come back and offer me LASIK. Really the cost thing is not a big issue. I want the best result for my sight, not the cheapest!

I live in Norwich so OE is most convenient as they have a clinic in the city. The other prospect is to go to London and try one of the clinics down there, but the idea of going to and from the city for aftercare appointments (or worse if something goes wrong) would be rather inconvenient.


Any thoughts/advice etc Particularly hard facts on the various options would be greatly received!!

Thanks

Jo

mutley74

kittykat23uk wrote: »

Hi all,

I have been considering laser eye surgery for a few years and went for a consultation with OE back in 2008 and most recently last Monday with Optimax. My most recent prescription is:

Right eye -6.00 cyl -1.00
left eye-5.50 cyl -1.25
I have further complications of large pupils and thin corneas.
I'm 32 yrs of age and my pescription seems to have changed ever so slightly compared to two years ago (My right eye was -6.25 before).
OE recommended that I would need LASIK with wavefront. At the time I believe the price was in the order of £3500.

I was lured by a recent internet deal through Optimax for half price lasik treatment which means the above procedure would cost me £1995. Therefore, I went to the clinic (Ipswich) for a consulation.
According to Optimax I'm borderline for their LASIK with Wavefront procedure, owing to the thin corneas primarily but also the strength of my prescription. At the moment I'm waiting to hear back from the surgeon that they have assigned me as to which procedure he'd recommend. An initial discussion between the surgeon and the clinic staff has resulted in him leaning more towards LASEK.

Given my concerns re being a borderline case, I then went back to OE today to double check what I had been recommended for before, Yep it was definitely LASIK! The woman at OE then went on to describe the different lasers that they use and their supposed superiority to the ones used by Optimax. So I don't know what to do for the best now. I'm definitely not keen to have LASEK and am now concerned whether I'll get less than optimal results going with Optimax even if they come back and offer me LASIK. Really the cost thing is not a big issue. I want the best result for my sight, not the cheapest!

I live in Norwich so OE is most convenient as they have a clinic in the city. The other prospect is to go to London and try one of the clinics down there, but the idea of going to and from the city for aftercare appointments (or worse if something goes wrong) would be rather inconvenient.


Any thoughts/advice etc Particularly hard facts on the various options would be greatly received!!

Thanks

Jo

I would ask each clinic to give you details of the thickness of your corneas and at what thickness criteria would you not be eligible for LASIK. In addition to go through the risks in more detail with you. But with intralase these days LASIK is more common as it gives "immediate" results comapred to LASEK.
If youre still in doubt ask to speak to the surgeon at both clinics and see what their opinion. When did this a surgeon strongly recommended LASEK because i do contact sports. But after more of my own research i realised with proper healing time i would suitable with LASIK and OE surgeon was happy to do that for me after discussing my concerns with him.

kittykat23uk

many thanks.

Al1x

I had a horrible experience when going to my consultation with Optical Expres. Not only were they running behind with their appointment times by 2-3 hours(!) but when i asked the Ophthalmologist what could go wrong with the surgery he just laughed at me and said nothing will go wrong! Now that hardly inspires confidence does it! :-s

Browntoa

and the proper place for referrals (not here)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1444903&highlight=optimax

also the forum rules say you should not post personal detaisl such as Emails or telephone numbers

adnan1234

I always wanted to have laser eye surgery however I wanted the best possible treatment. I was then e-mailed an offer from optimax of lasik wavefront intralase for £1995!!!

Without hesitation I booked a consultation and it is in a couple of weeks time. However I have a feeling that they arent going to follow up with it. My prescription is about -2.25 in both eyes, it is at thir birmingham clinic.

Has anyone used this offer and did they follow up? What were your experiences like with optimax?

kittykat23uk

As far as I am aware it is genuine, it was the same offer I was planning to use. Got as far as paying a deposit but then see the above- I have reluctantly decided not to go through with it, at least until I have done some further investigation- and possibly not at all. In fact have still not heard for sure whether I could get LASIK done through them (and the offer doesn't extend to LASEK). Optimax have since refunded my deposit- they were very quick to do so to be fair. They have promised to get the surgoen to contact me when he is back (he has been on holiday).

charlottedicken

Hi all, I had Wavefront Intralase LASIK eye surgery at optimax in Brighton last December and have recived some £500 off vouchers to pass on to friends. I am very happy with my treatment and would definitely recommend it so if any one would like to save £500 contact me and I will send you the details.[EMAIL="charlottedicken@hotmail.com"][/EMAIL]