Laser Eye Surgery Cost Cutting Tips

Good luck Rubyred.

I got this done a few years ago. I can't remember the exact price, as my lovely parents paid for it. My dad thought it only right that they pay as I inherited his awful eyesight, while my brother inherited my mum's hawk vision. I did manage to wangle a 20% discount first!

There are risks, but if you are very short-sighted, then life is a bit of a risk. I was useless without glasses, and completely vulnerable if they broke. I had a chat with the surgeon before-hand, and we discussed how I'd feel if I still needed glasses afterwards, especially for driving or reading etc. I was able to honestly say that was OK, so long as I would be able to get around.

Thankfully, my post-operative vision is good enough I don't need glasses for those things. I am still very slightly short-sighted, but the astigmatism is pretty much gone, and most importantly, my eyes are even. As I age, I'll be able to buy reading glasses off the shelf! I had a complex prescription before, so glasses and contact lenses never could get me to 20/20, and my vision now is pretty much the equivalent of how it was before.

I'm not sure if I would have even considered surgery if my eyesight was <-5.0, and when I read about people with eyesight in the <-2.0 range doing it, I'm shocked, but I suppose everyone can only judge their own situation.

As I was in the very short-sighted category, with astigmatism, it took a little bit longer for my eyes to fully heal, and needed longer follow-up than standard, but I was still amazed at how quickly I could see. I had a slight complication, but it was resolved by using the steroid eye drops for a couple of weeks longer than standard. Some complications are more serious, but it's worth remembering that most complications are temporary. Just make sure you attend all of your follow-up appointments, and don't be scared to make an extra one if something doesn't feel right.

I went to Optical Express, and part of that decision was because they were handy for where I lived and worked. It made it easy for me to attend all of my follow-up appointments, and they were very good at seeing me when I thought they didn't 'feel right'. This was all part of the price.

You'll be told this, but make sure you've got some good sunglasses for wearing in the period after you get your eyes done, and you may find it takes longer for your night vision to return. Not such a problem at this time of year, but something to consider if you are reliant on driving at night.

In very crude terms, the more correction your eyes need, and the bigger your pupils, the greater the problems with night vision. The modern techniques are much better at dealing with that, but it's worth chatting to them about it. The older, and cheaper, methods aren't so good for this, so it's something to consider, and if often forgotten about when people talk about prescriptions and whether or not they are 20/20.

The other factor is that if you drive with glasses, or even contact lenses, you can get a bit of a starburst effect from them.

So I have recently had my second consultation out of the three and I chose to go to Accuvision in Cotham Hill, Bristol.

I was seen by Optometrist, Johann Panthakey and he was waiting for me at the Reception Desk and my initial impressions were very favourable. He immediately reassured me with his demeanour and the way he spoke to me from greeting to leading me into the consultation room.

My consultation was very efficient and Mr Panthakey explain everything fully to me and even let me look at the screen and explained in layman terms, the results.

It turned out that I am having to have my surgery in either, Solihull or London and I have been given a selection of dates, which include Saturday's.

I was told that I qualify for a Summer Offer, which drew me to them in the first place, for £800 per/eye with their LASIK Wavefront Technology.

All my questions were answered thoroughly and I was very impressed by their concern for my well-being after the surgery, as I wanted to go and travel to do it by myself, but they almost point blank refused to let me do it unless I had someone with me due to the possible sensitivity after surgery; this to me is a good sign.

All in all, I have one more consultation with Optimax on Friday, 14th October and I will be going to that one to get my final impressions and evaluate all 3 of the surgery providers I may use.

Currently, Accuvision have won me over and I think Optimax will find it hard to beat them. Accuvision have the price and quality of care from what I have seen. Optical Express seem too corporate to me and I have received a follow up call that seemed to bend the truth and tell me that nowhere else could do the surgery as I have large pupils (?), sounds suspicious to me.

I will post again once I have had my consultation at Optimax and make my final choice.

I have a low prescription, healthy eyes etc.

OE quoted me for Lasik - £3390 - £500 refer a friend = £2990

2 friends (both high prescriptions and complications) had it done 1yr & 9yrs ago and paid £1995 & £2190 respectively.

I've explained this to OE and they won't budge. Tried telling me cost depends on the prescription and even if it was based on that, I'm in great shape for it so would be cheaper.
Optegra said that's rubbish too.

Now I'm booked in with Optegra who say they price match.
Really was happy with OE until they started !!!!!!!!ting me on the sales side of things.
Very disappointing.

anyone who can advise me on the best course of treatment for me. i currently wear bi focals for watching tv and reading. can drive during the day without glasses but find i need them on at night.

my complication is i am short sighted in one eye and long sighted in the other. my prescription is roughly the same in both (+2.25 and -2).

many thanks.

OK so saw this last post and thought I would update you all.

Nothing really to report! My vision is still phenomenal and I can tell you all it never get's old waking up to better than 20/20 vision. I find myself testing my sight as I walk down streets and marvelling how far away I can read number plates or signs.

Sometimes I think back to my days of dry eyes and contact lenses, or glasses I couldn't wear in a swimming pool and regret that I hadn't done something about sooner in life, but glad I did in the end.

Hopefully you guys are still getting good deals.

Tonygold: This thread isn't the place for such questions mate. This is one where you gotta get out there and meeting the specialists so they can view your eyes in person. Worth the effort though

Georgie boy: Yes in time everyone needs reading glasses, but I'm 37 and I can read perfectly so hopefully I have years left before that happens. Even once it does it will only be for reading as my distance vision is spot on.