Just wondering if anyone here has had this, or knows someone who has? I'm very short-sighted and want to get rid of my specs in the worst way, so I'd be interested to hear some personal experiences of this procedure. What were the results, how much did it cost, who performed the surgery, etc?
http://www.ultralase.com/vites/clinic/chester/They did my Dad's eyes.
He couldn't play golf for a while due to sand getting in his eyes (hey goes in a lot of bunkers!) but best thing he ever did and he doesnt have to wear glasses anymore.
£800 an eye rings a bell but this was a fair few years ago.
My mother in law had hers done last year. Says its really good but irritating for a few days. She went through specsavers.
Have you thought about contact lenses. I'd like my eyes done but don't really like the thought of my eyes being "operated" on. There's a lot of horror stories on the Internet. So I use lenses, very easy with the daily ones, just put them in then chuck them away at night
I had both eyes done on the same day about seven years ago, by Optimax , who are across the road from Liverpool town hall.
The op is nothing to worry about & the results are instant. You just need somebody to take you home afterwards & have a lie down for a few hours.
I paid about £1200 in total & it was worth every penny.
Bob.
My daughter in law who is about 50'ish had laser surgery on her eyes about 3 or 4 years ago, I think they were done by a firm called Optimax in Water Street Liverpool and she has been delighted by the results ever since. She hated glasses and has never had to wear them since her operation.
I know someone who went there but was refused. The person concerned was a police officer and was advised that if he got a blow to the eye after that type of surgery he could go blind.
On a similar topic I had recently had a detached retina and cryro surgery saved my sight. It does mean however that I cannot blow up ballons or do a breathalyser test as it might undo the operation repair.
I still wear glasses for long distance and prefer this than having any work done on my eyes unless absolutely necessary
I was really short-sighted (-8 & -8.5) and went to Ultralase opposite the Liver Buildings. They are very good, lots of after care, I had to go and see the specialist in Manchester 2 days after surgery and they paid for a taxi both ways. They use the latest techniques and once your eyes are healed you are safe from a blow on the head or fall or knock and it is just like the advert says, everything is in HD! I wore glasses for 40 years and it has changed my life (for the better!). Also Ultralase guarantee after care at no more expense to you, so if your prescription changes over time and your eyes alter, they will re-treat you for free as many times as they have to. Oh, and they have been going for over 20 years so they are well established. Don't think, get it done!
Thanks for your positive reply and I note your comments.
It does not bother me wearing glasses as my vision problem is slight. Find also wearing glasses gives me confidence as I used to be shy!
A big thank you to everyone who's answered so far, this is all very informative!
@ Capt_America: I'm curious... do they examine you and then advise you which procedure will be most suitable for your prescription? Because there's such a bewildering amount of different surgical techniques out there now, I'm sure I couldn't choose for myself.
Also, how much did it cost, (if you don't mind me asking,) and was a payment plan available?
A big thank you to everyone who's answered so far, this is all very informative!
@ Capt_America: I'm curious... do they examine you and then advise you which procedure will be most suitable for your prescription? Because there's such a bewildering amount of different surgical techniques out there now, I'm sure I couldn't choose for myself.
Also, how much did it cost, (if you don't mind me asking,) and was a payment plan available?
Mine was just £2000 in total because I was so very short sighted. Pay nothing for 1 year and then pay interest free over 2 years. I saved enough in year 1 to pay half off in year 2 and so only paid £80 a month in year 3 (finish this month).
They tell you which treatment is suitable for you. I had the one where they lift the surface of the cornea and laser underneath and then stick the surface back. It was very painful for a day but they give you anesthetic drops which you can administer whenever you have pain. My eyesight was so good after the surgery that I took driving lessons and passed my test too.
Just thought I'd write an update on this subject. I went to "Optical Express" for a consultation yesterday, and wanted to share my experience and thoughts.
As soon I was taken into the first testing room, I was asked, had I thought about budget? This was before ANY tests had been done, so not a good first impression! I replied I hadn't because I didn't know if I was even eligible for surgery, (I'd been turned down years ago on account of not having enough corneal tissue.)
She asked me what my prescription was, I told her what it was at my last eye test 2 years ago. She then did a scan on my eyes, and said yes they could treat me, and it was less than she thought it'd be too.
She gave me 2 prices, (which I was expecting,) just under £3k for standard, and just over 3k for best (Wavefront) and said if I had my surgery within 7 days, I would qualify for a 10% discount, within 14 days it'd be a 5% discount. I was then taken in for the more in-depth eye tests and here's where it gets sticky...
When finished, the guy gives me 2 more prices, (higher than those the girl gave me, £3,590 and £4,390,) and presses me to book the surgery. I wouldn't to make an on-the-spot decision, so I was then passed back to the girl, who really gave me the hard sell.
Despite this, I refused to make an immediate commitment, and she asked me what was stopping me, fear or price. When I said both, she said there was an offer for a limited time only, of a 50% discount, "so £2,195 would cover everything." (And she was going to tell me about this WHEN?!)
She stressed it was for online customers only, so I didn't qualify, (I booked my consultation through their WEBSITE, how do I NOT qualify!?) but she would ask her area manager if she could nominate me for the discount. BUT! I'd need to be booked in for the surgery for her to have any chance of securing it for me.
I told her I needed to go home and think about my options, and that I'd get back to her, and she reluctantly accepted that she wasn't going to pressure me into making a final decision there and then, and we said our goodbyes.
Overall impression? The staff are friendly, but pushy. There's far too much pressure to sign a contract there and then. Conflicting information given regarding price, and the "sliding" price list does way too much sliding! It doesn't instil me with confidence that they would be the best place for me for have laser eye surgery. Although I'm excited to find out that I'm eligible for it now!