Laser Eye Surgery

i had mine done at ultralase in southampton. Couldnt have asked for a better service, they explained absolutely everything, even when having my eyes done as i had them both done together, the guy was telling me what he was doing and what was happening, its stranage to watch your cornea slide across the top of your vision, but honestly, it was amazing, i was in the room for about 15 - 20 minutes, and like i say that was both eyes. you will be really light sensitive for the rest of the day for sure, just wear your sunglasses.

andrew its the price of a few nice mods lol

xx

 

Well that helps NOT! lol

 

a couple of grand Andrew lol
xx

 

I looked into it years ago and was informed that my eyes were too bad for the lasik treatment, where they laser the surface of your eye ball and that they would have to cut the front off, to laser underneath. They would then replace the flap. And they expected me to pay them...!???

As you can imagine, I told them where to go and began looking at other options. After much trial, pain and error I discovered hydrogel lenses. Nothing like the solid ones I started with, unable to move my streaming eyes. These are soft and u,unbelievably comfortable. I pop them in at the start of the month and dint touch them until the end. The only time they dry out is when im severely hung over!

Im -6.5 so most prescriptions are covered and use elsewhere ones. Fantastic, hassle free and no eye ball cutting!

 

Everyone I know that's had it, hasn't looked back. All went for the most uber expensive type of laser surgery (the one US fighter pilots get).

One of Mrs. V's friends eyes were too bad for laser surgery. She's just had implants (basically a fixed contact lens inserted in to the eye). Bit more of a faf, but it's transformed her life. I'm considering it, as I've got astigmatism, so I can't have general laser surgery.

I'd go for it.

I wear contact lenses on the bike. If you have trouble with them drying out, change your brand. I switched from Focus Dailies to Acuvue Moist, and it fixed the drying out problem. Rode from Heathrow to Nurburgring in 1 hit without a problem.

 

Went to Optical Express yesterday for a consultation to see if I am suitable, after about an hour and half of tests which included putting drops into both eyes to dilate the pupils so the guy could have a good look into the eye, They gave me the chance to see what the results would be like using some over size goggles, vision was fantastic and much better then with my glasses. They said that I am not suitable for Lasak but ok for Lasik and with the additional wavefront intalase would cost £2790. But this can be reduced to £2190 if I go for the lesser mechanical procedure. If I go ahead I might as well go for the full monty and get the best results I can. There is also a deal for Easter with £300 off the price meaning £2490.
Optical Express aftercare lasts for 4 years but with T&C’s

Looking at the Ultralase peoples information pack, they want £4390 for what seems to be the same thing. Aftercare is for life and also has T&C’s.

At the age of 50 this year I am not sure it worth paying an extra £1900 for life time aftercare. If I was 20 it might be worth it. Plus who’s to say that Ultralase won’t go out of business or wriggle out under the small print anyway.

Both can carry out the procedure before the end of the month.

Based on the above I am thinking Optical Express and take my chances after 4 years.

Unless someone has a better idea?

 

Not sure if there are people on here who have had theirs done by Optical Express and can provide balance, but I can heartily recommend Ultralase and their patient care was first class. As I mentioned before I had mine done over 10 years ago and (touch wood) have had zero problems, and have referred several friends and family to Ultralase who also feel the same.

At the time, LASIK was relatively new and unproved (and prior to wavefront being available) so I spent a month or so reading EVERYTHING I could about the procedure and about places in the UK who did it. Naturally I came across many horror stories as well as success stories but Ultralase always came out top then and I've not heard or read anything contrary to that opinion since.

I know money is a key factor and the difference is quite significant, but on the other hand what price can you put on something like your health and patient care? It's a difficult one, that's for sure.

 

I had Lasik last June at the Duchy private Hospital here in Cornwall. Luckily I only needed one eye doing at a cost of £1300 with all aftercare included. I did have a bad astigmatism can't remember the prescription now. The surgeon thought I may need "top up" glasses for night driving due to the severity but the results have been fantastic even he was surprised and I now have better than 20/20 vision. Can read the second to last line on the chart.

I'll be honest I found the experience one of the most frightening things ever. Only took about 15 mins if that and no pain what so ever but it was just the thought of what if it goes wrong and how successful will it be, will it make things worse. The minute the flap in the cornea is cut and moved away you know there is no return and I'm glad I opted for the optional Valium.

A few crazy lights, some clicking noises and the smell of burning hair and it's all over. Told to go and wait in a dark room for 10 mins then the surgeon checks the operation and to make sure the flap has gone back properly. Immediately vision was better, not great, very fuzzy but better. Then your sent home with some eye drops. No discomfort at all just feels like some grit in your eye. I went home to sleep for a few hours and when I woke up the vision was better still and continues to improve as the days go by.

Now the vision is great and to be able to bin the specs and contacts was great, if your thinking about it do it. Can't recommend it enough and will get the other eye done if/when the time comes. I'm not bothered about wearing glasses for reading but didn't want to have to wear any correction, contacts or specs whilst riding. That was my main motivation.

For me, I would avoid the high street options. I've spoken to others that have used them and they said they felt like an animal and the so called aftercare is crap and others reported that the procedure didn't even work for them ! I would choose a surgeon who specialises in ophthalmology, not just laser eye surgery but all types of eye procedures, someone who works for the NHS and in the Private sector.

Do you research and don't rush into it, it took me about 3 years to finally decide to have it done.

Just my 2p worth.

 

Thanks Moily & MrB. Having read yesterday what you have said and slept on it again, I am going to go and see Ultralase and see what have to say. I spent hours yesterday researching online, some good some bad, trying to no dwell on the bad stuff. Have come to the conclusion that to rush this to save £300 would be foolish and at the end of the day £1900 is bugger all in the scheme of things. Thanks again and will update when I have seen the Ultralase guys.

 

Hi mate,
Any chance you could send me the details of who you went throught got into contact with etc please!
I've been tempted by this for a while and being your local and had a good experience is good to hear.

Cheers Andrew

 

Hi Andrew,

Mr Kumar is the surgeon, very nice man and makes you feel at ease. The consultation is free and he will tell you if your suitable there and then and if you wish to go ahead he can book the appointment for you. I had the consultation on a Wednesday and received the op on the following Saturday. I paid £1300 on credit card on the day, all very simple.

Any questions feel free.

Laser Eye surgery in Cornwall | Duchy Hospital

0800 917 0022

ETA - Just to reiterate I only had the 1 eye done hence the £1300.

 

Cheers mate,
I wasn't expecting you to have the details that quick, I think i'll wait till i've paid for a holiday i've got booked before I commit to anymore outlays tho.

 

Consolation appointment booked for 19th April with Ultralase, have to say the people on the phone are very good and not the same as the Optical Express "call centre" type approach. Also as it’s a longer waiting period to have the operation done I was given the option to provisionally book slot with the named surgeon. Well impressed so far. I am starting to see where the extra money is going already.

 

Update:
Went to see Ultalase this afternoon, what a difference to Optical Express.
Optical Express was one and half hours tops done dusted and discount offered to sign here right now. Ultralase took almost three hours, hell of a lot more tests, all fully explained including the risks etc. all options given, go away and think about it.
Got home and had a phone call at 6:30 from the optometrist (not the call centre) to say she had found some contact lenses to test mono vision in the store and would put in the post tomorrow for me to try, no pressure; you try them and see how you feel. No discount deals offered and suggested the most expensive option would not be suitable and therefore a waste of money for me. I asked about interest free credit ?, yep, 3 years, what about if I pay up front do I get a discount as someone is paying for the credit ? , frown then yes 10%. What about if Mrs Freedom has hers done what other benefits or discounts are available?. Yep. If she has her FOC consolation before your surgery and is suitable and want to go ahead we will give you an added discount over and above the 10% each for forking out at the time.
I have to say I was well impressed with the service right from the start at the call centre through to today’s consolation that I shall go ahead on the 18th May with either the normal or mono vision surgery. Mrs freedom is so impressed she is positive and would like to go ahead if she is able.
Thank you so much to those that gave input into my request for information on this subject, and recommending Ultralase. Thanks guys and girls

 

Good news look forward to hearing from you after the op. Your going to love it.

 

Didn't see this thread. No pun intended. Good luck with it dude, hope all goes well.

 

Whats it going to be like when you and the mrs see each other for the first time she told me you looked about 35 .

 

Per eye?