Laser eye surgery - independent reviews?

gallois

After messing around with contacts and glasses for years I'm thinking about getting laser for my myopia/astigmatism. There are a few threads on here, with some horror stories about the big providers. I'll probably go for Ultralase (which I think is owned by Optimax) - prices all seem about the same at £1295 per eye and they do 24 months interest free. Before I take the plunge I just wondered if there was an independent resource anywhere that had surgeon data? That skill of the surgeon seems to be the most important variable but very hard to find any information. I'm in Brighton by the way if anyone has any comments about local providers.

squirrelchops

I had my laser eye surgery 12 months ago at Ultralase in Cardiff.

Absolutely brilliant and the best thing I have ever done.

When you start looking on line they name the surgeons. I then looked at their individual resume's and chose a surgeon who was a fellow of the royal college of opthalmologists as well as of course having been a registered surgeon before. Really experienced and also taught others how to perform the surgery.

I am the biggest wimp ever and I managed to do it so if I can anyone can.

I was really scared but it was painless. The most discomfort was about 4 hours after surgery when the anaesthetic has worn off and my eyes ran constantly as if I was peeling a strong onion and light sensitive - i wore shades indoors. However this soon passes. Get a late appointment so you can get to sleep asap!

Then you wake up as if there has been a miracle and you can see!!!

Gloomendoom

Mrs G had it done years ago. I don't think there was a surgeon involved, a machine did it.

Downsides? None, apart from her night vision. If that is important to you, don't get it done.

puppey

Friend had it done, over the moon with the results but unsure where he had it conducted sorry.

squirrelchops

My night vision improved considerably. Used to get halos and glare when I was driving - this is no longer an issue. I had the 'hd' version so to speak - cant remember its exact name but was the more expensive option which smoothed every minor micromillimetre of flaw across my cornea.

Yes the machine does the laser cutting of the flap and blasts the cornea but surgeon still has to manually fix the eyeball in place and then move the flap aside and put back.

wondercollie

Ask about corneal thinning in the years following the surgery.


Nearly every patient that I've seen in the last two years coming in for a corneal transplant has had lasik type surgery in the previous ten years.

samuela66

I had mine done about 6 years ago (I think) at Ultralase (again I think) in Liverpool right on the waterfront.
Best thing I ever did, as a previous person mentions when you wake up its like a miracle
I am a complete wimp also and put it off for ages ( I could kick myself that I did) it was very painful the night of it, I just went to bed early and took painkillers.
I was told because of my age I would need reading glasses probably straight away, didn't and still don't.
Do it you wont regret it!!!!


sam

alleycat`

Had mine done about 5 years ago.
Mostly it's been well worth it but it's not 100% brilliant.

I think a lot of it really comes down to why you are considering getting it done.

In my case the main reason for getting it done was the kids mullering my glasses.

Sports, play fighting, wrestling,swimming, etc were really taking a toll on how much i had to shell out getting them fixed.

The actual surgery itself was fine and i got to speak to a "proper" eye surgeon before i committed to having the work done.

I'm now getting to the point where i know one of my eyes is on the brink of some regression.

It's only by a small amount and i was warned it was likely as i started to get a little bit older, especially as my eyes are subject a lot of VDU work.

I'd say I've lost a little bit of my night vision, not a lot, but noticeable and if i miss out on sleep / drink too much i can suffer with some level of eye dryness.
Nothing a few drops won't sort out but some people would find it annoying.

I don't have halos, starbursts, persistent dry eye or any other serious anomalies that can occur.

Would i do it again?

Without kids, no i wouldn't.
My glasses / contacts were never a huge hindrance to my life before kids and i was quite happy wearing them.

It's not that I'm unhappy with the surgery/results, it's just i wouldn't have found it necessary.

With the kids, and all the associated friends, it's been a bit of a god send.

Hope that makes sense.