Laser Eye Surgery Cost Cutting Tips

Bobmcdingleberry

How to save money.....do it yourself with a laser pen.

luckypanda

I had my eyes done over 2 years ago with Optical Express in Bournemouth/Southampton. Definitely one of the best things I've ever done, so pleased with it. I also have vouchers for £150 off if anyone is interested.
I opted for the most expensive surgery customvue wavefront but it was still only around 2k on 10 months interest free credit, I can't remember my perscription but I couldn't see more than a couple of feet in front of me in focus (short sighted) and has astigmatism.
The only disappointing thing was that they thought they might improve my night vision, i get halos/starburst etc from lights, but it didn't.

Jam88888

Hi,

I was hoping to get some advice with regards to choosing the correct laser eye surgery clinic and the pricing of treatment.

I have recently had a consultation at Optical Express. I was given a price of £2890.

My prescription is -
Left Eye: -2.0
Right Eye: -4.0

For my prescription, does the price seem right or is it over priced?

I'm looking to book in a consultation with Optimax as well as they are currently offering treatment at half price. However, I have also heard that I can get £500 discount via a referral on this site, but am i right to assume the half price deal should be the better deal?

Is it worth going somewhere like Optimax who could potentially offer a price which undercuts OE by some margin or paying the extra money at OE who seem to be getting the better reviews on this thread.

When it comes to eyes it's best to get the best treatment if this means paying a little extra at OE then so be it, but if there is not much difference between OE and Optimax regarding quality of treatment then it would obviously make sense to go with Optimax.

Which clinic would people recommend?

Are there any other clinics that can be recommended?

I have so far ruled out Ultralase as they seem to be over priced and also Focus Laser Vision as they seem to be only based in London which would make the journey too far for me.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

honest_geezer

Oprical Express all the way, certainly in Glasgow. I was shcoked by how poor Optimax were. I can only assume other ones are better. I don't work for them and not offering any referrals but I have been shocked how good OE were. Honestly. I was panicking about surgery as I booked short notice (that gets you another £300 or so off btw) with abotu a week before surgery. Then I though !!!!!! have I done? I panicked and said I wouldn't go ahead with it unless I seen the surgeon. They wre fine and managed to arrange it and she totally put my mind at ease. Plus she said if any follow ups they are free for life and this was confirmed. The op took 10-15 mins and I have honestly had worse times at the dentist, even although I have a thing about my eyes. I was fine 5-6 in both eyes and got the top treatment and paid 2675. I was quoted 3400. I got a disocounr for my partner working for BT and another for a short notice app. Best thing I have ever done!!!
Where are you Jam8888?

Jam88888

Hey honest_geezer, thanks for the feedback.

I'm based in the South, so had the initial consultation in London but looking at surgery just outside of London - Bluewater.

It sounds like OE is the place to go, the only factor is the cost. I've been doing some research and reading other reviews by people that have had the procedure at OE and the majority have paid around the £2000 - 2500 mark for the same treatment but also have a higher prescription than mine, this has left my slightly skeptical with their pricing policy.

I have consultations set up with Optimax and Ultralase, so will make a final decision after I've evaluated all three.

Thanks again for the advice.

nomoneytoday

IMHO Eye surgery shouldn't be bought on price, but on the skill of the doctors and aftercare given !

honest_geezer

nomoneytoday wrote: »

IMHO Eye surgery shouldn't be bought on price, but on the skill of the doctors and aftercare given !

Totally agree. I couldn;t have been more comfortable with my surgeon and folk mocked me for taking time to look at this but at the end of the day it's you eyes and you only get 1 pair. It's more if there are complications and how they dal with these and also ensuring you are getting the right treatment for your prescription and lifestyle.

Like I said before Optimax were terrible where I live (one machine took 4 attempts to work!!!) and although the eye specialist for really good, it does make you wonder if these really are serviced every week as they state...

incaannica

Hi,

After reading a lot around the laser eye surgery I finally decided to go ahead and thought I share my thoughts on it too.

I booked my consultation with Optimax at Liverpool Street (end of June) and I thought that the staff were really helpful and answered all my questions. After a few eye test they recommended LASIK treatment for me which would have cost £395 per eye (as advertised). My presciption for both eyes was -1.25. Also, the consultant recommended wawefront treatment, which put the price up from £795 to £1580. I had noticed leaflets on the counter about getting £500 off if you know someone who had undergone the surgery so I told the lady that I have a friend of a friend who has done that - later I did an internet search for the vouchers, but on the treatment day no one asked me any details (and by the time I had forgotten it too!). That dropped the price down to £1080, which I think is ok for my budget. They also told me that if I would select the blade free treatment that would increase the price for another £1000 (without the voucher £2580 and with it £2080), I didn't opt for this (interlase) as I thought it is beyond my budget.

I had my surgery done at optimax (finchley rd) and I was slightly nervous, especially when they were running late and told me that I will be the last customer as the machine ('blade cutter') that is used for my surgery takes longer to calibrate (?!). All the other patients had gone for the full treatment with lasor so I started to doubt this a little. They operated a bit like McDonald's drive in... There were 6 of us receiving surgery that day and whilst you were getting your advise, someone was consulted by the doctor or filling out the forms. Then at the operation one was waiting for the anasthetic eye drops to work whilst the other one was getting their surgery (you can hear the machines and everything). I had to wait over an hour after my scheduled time so they were running considerably late...

Putting all the organisational things a side, the actual treatment was over in 10 minutes... It was quick, pain free (besides slight discomfort with the tapes placed around your eye). The doctor used blade to open up the flap which did not hurt at all, pulled the flap aside and then applied the laser. I think, I was more curios to 'see' what happens during the surgery so the whole experience felt like watching a sky full of stars and then staring at the red haze... The most painful for me was to get the tapes out of your face (LOL) they really stick to your skin and hairs so it feels like hair removal with waxing

My eyes did not hurt afterwards and, although my vision was blurry, I managed to phone a cab using my mobile and walk out of the surgery. Later in the evening I used the pain drops, took a couple of pain killers and put on the antibiotic drops and went to sleep with the horrendous eye shields that need to be taped on your face (!). I woke up the next morning and I was able to see perfectly. Again I had the problem removing the tape off my face... it really does stick!

My vision was 20:20 the next day and I am only wearing sunglasses to protect them - not because of the light.

My friend had her surgery done few weeks before me with another company and it ended up costing her £4K with Lasik, wavefront and intralase - after she reported that her eyes were extremely light sensitive and sore. I am not sure was this due to the fact that the flap was removed with a laser - it seemed like everyone booked for the day my treatment and who had flap removed by the laser had to be in a darkened room for 15 minutes afterwards. They seemed to be extremely light sensitive. So not sure if that had anything to do with it, but I didn't have to go through it...

The annoying thing is that I have to put antibiotic etc. eyedrops on every 4 hours (with 15 minute break between the 2 types) and then refresher drops (to prevent dry eyes) at least 4 times a day, but I feel like putting them on every 2 hours... Also, I cannot wear make-up for 2 weeks or go to the gym for one week

Other than that I am laughing :rotfl:I can finally see everything clearly without the glasses or contacts. It was definitely worth the £1000!

If anyone else is considering this treatment please feel free to contact me and I will tell you more. I also received the £500 money off vouchers so I am happy to send them to those who need them.

Hope this helped someone.

honest_geezer

incaannica wrote: »

Hi,

After reading a lot around the laser eye surgery I finally decided to go ahead and thought I share my thoughts on it too.

I booked my consultation with Optimax at Liverpool Street (end of June) and I thought that the staff were really helpful and answered all my questions. After a few eye test they recommended LASIK treatment for me which would have cost £395 per eye (as advertised). My presciption for both eyes was -1.25. Also, the consultant recommended wawefront treatment, which put the price up from £795 to £1580. I had noticed leaflets on the counter about getting £500 off if you know someone who had undergone the surgery so I told the lady that I have a friend of a friend who has done that - later I did an internet search for the vouchers, but on the treatment day no one asked me any details (and by the time I had forgotten it too!). That dropped the price down to £1080, which I think is ok for my budget. They also told me that if I would select the blade free treatment that would increase the price for another £1000 (without the voucher £2580 and with it £2080), I didn't opt for this (interlase) as I thought it is beyond my budget.

I had my surgery done at optimax (finchley rd) and I was slightly nervous, especially when they were running late and told me that I will be the last customer as the machine ('blade cutter') that is used for my surgery takes longer to calibrate (?!). All the other patients had gone for the full treatment with lasor so I started to doubt this a little. They operated a bit like McDonald's drive in... There were 6 of us receiving surgery that day and whilst you were getting your advise, someone was consulted by the doctor or filling out the forms. Then at the operation one was waiting for the anasthetic eye drops to work whilst the other one was getting their surgery (you can hear the machines and everything). I had to wait over an hour after my scheduled time so they were running considerably late...

Putting all the organisational things a side, the actual treatment was over in 10 minutes... It was quick, pain free (besides slight discomfort with the tapes placed around your eye). The doctor used blade to open up the flap which did not hurt at all, pulled the flap aside and then applied the laser. I think, I was more curios to 'see' what happens during the surgery so the whole experience felt like watching a sky full of stars and then staring at the red haze... The most painful for me was to get the tapes out of your face (LOL) they really stick to your skin and hairs so it feels like hair removal with waxing

My eyes did not hurt afterwards and, although my vision was blurry, I managed to phone a cab using my mobile and walk out of the surgery. Later in the evening I used the pain drops, took a couple of pain killers and put on the antibiotic drops and went to sleep with the horrendous eye shields that need to be taped on your face (!). I woke up the next morning and I was able to see perfectly. Again I had the problem removing the tape off my face... it really does stick!

My vision was 20:20 the next day and I am only wearing sunglasses to protect them - not because of the light.

My friend had her surgery done few weeks before me with another company and it ended up costing her £4K with Lasik, wavefront and intralase - after she reported that her eyes were extremely light sensitive and sore. I am not sure was this due to the fact that the flap was removed with a laser - it seemed like everyone booked for the day my treatment and who had flap removed by the laser had to be in a darkened room for 15 minutes afterwards. They seemed to be extremely light sensitive. So not sure if that had anything to do with it, but I didn't have to go through it...

The annoying thing is that I have to put antibiotic etc. eyedrops on every 4 hours (with 15 minute break between the 2 types) and then refresher drops (to prevent dry eyes) at least 4 times a day, but I feel like putting them on every 2 hours... Also, I cannot wear make-up for 2 weeks or go to the gym for one week

Other than that I am laughing :rotfl:I can finally see everything clearly without the glasses or contacts. It was definitely worth the £1000!

If anyone else is considering this treatment please feel free to contact me and I will tell you more. I also received the £500 money off vouchers so I am happy to send them to those who need them.

Hope this helped someone.

Brilliant, another success story!!! I'm really pleased for you

That sounds a little like how the Optimax near me was, except the Glasgow one is also like a step back in time lol. Would suggest to anyone there to do good research on the 1 surgeon they have there.

But what a new lease of life it gives you, eh? I can't believe it when I go swimming and stuff now.

Again if anyone wants to contact me, feel free. Also if you want me to recommend you I can do that no problem. Do research well where you are going though.

zudecke

Hi,

Does anyone know if I can my eyes done? R: -10 L: -10.5.

Ultralase approved me 6 months ago, but I didn't have the money back then .

Any info appreciated.

Cheers,

Z