Laser eye surgery - advice needed!

gingergee

I went for a consultation for laser eye surgery. Had realistic expectations, didn't think for one min that i'd be the one who actually got it for ONLY £495 per eye lol. Anyway after a few hours of thorough examinations and counseling (?) They gave me my quote....
Rewind a few mins to the medical questionnaire i filled in, i stated i had SLE and all the related conditions ie sjogrens syndrome, raynauds etc.
My quote was......£3300. They told me im not suitable for laser surgery and instead i needed to have an Intraocular lens transplant. (permanent contact lens to you and me). I have the money to get it done, but didnt want to pay over 3k and then find out i may actually be alright to have lasers?
Were they spinning me a yarn to have the most expensive thing, which is kinda new in this country? All cos i have dry eyes?
I was wondering if i hadnt mentioned the SLE etc, if they'd have found me suitable?
Or am i barking well and truly up the wrong tree???? lol x

paddyrg

Can you find a private consultant to talk to, and not a salesperson from a company trying to sell you treatments?

neilmcl

If you need an IOL then perhaps try finding out for definite via the NHS or as above, get your GP to refer you to a proper consultant.

Without being an opthamologist and being able to examine your eyes I don't think anyone here's going to be able to tell you what is the most suitable for your condtion.

Where did you have your "consultation".

gingergee

It wasn't a salesperson it was an eye doctor (cant spell it lol). Have thought about seeing my doctor about whether laser eye surgery would indeed be unsuitable. Also thought about getting another consultation and not mentioning the SLE just to see if they find me unsuitable. They did do a test for dry eyes, involving some orange stuff being put in my eye!
I dont mind paying for IOL. Untill then my glasses are my best mate lol x

neilmcl

Like I said get your GP to refer you to either your local NHS eye clinic or, as you don't mind paying, a good consulting opthamologist to find out why you'd require an IOL rather than laser surgery. BTW, the orange dye in your eyes is usually a local anaesthetic used prior to doing an eye pressure test, called a tonometry test, did you have what looked like a blue light placed very close onto your eye?

gingergee

Yeah. They put 2 lots of drops and that orange stuff.My eyes were swollen and in agony for 2 days afterwards x Gonna see GP next week, thanks xx

neilmcl

I take it this is purely a cosmetic issue, ie, you don't want to wear glasses and contacts aren't an option due to your dry eye condition?

SailorSam

What did your optician say about it last time you went.

DVardysShadow

SailorSam wrote: »

What did your optician say about it last time you went.

Probably something that seems clear to start with and becomes more and more obscure

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gingergee

Not cosmetic really, i like my glasses. My other half offered to pay for me to have it done as, due to the SLE i have the memory of a goldfish and am always losing my glasses of leaving them somewhere!! He thought it would make my already difficult life a bit easier! Im quite willing to keep wearing glasses as i get them free!! Im due for "proper" eye test soon, may ask them what they think. I just didnt want to shell out for IOL when, in fact, i could have lasers which is prob cheaper!.

Hintza

Just the job.......:D