Thank you so much, that's worth knowing.
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Just want to add at the consultation they put in eye drops that dilated my eyes a lot - I think to check the back of the eye. These made my vision bad for most of the day, could both long and short distance. I’d recommend taking someone with you and definitely a driver if you’d be driving there.
I had laser eye surgery with Optical Express in April this year - I would definitely recommend them! The whole process from enquiry to after care was great, and I’m so glad I had it done.
I still can’t get over how quick the surgery was, it must have been about a minute on each eye.
Absolutely no pain during the surgery at all, but I have to say, it wasn’t very pleasant (I am squeamish and go a bit funny even when talking about surgery/blood etc ) but it was bearable as it was so quick. They said to allow about 4 hours for the whole process (you have a series of mini appointments with various people) but I was in and out in 1.5 hours. They even called me in the morning and asked if I wanted to come in as soon as I could, rather than wait for my afternoon appointment.
My partner drove me home - we had an hours drive home, and it was horrible, definitely the worst bit! Very painful, like sand/glass in your eyes, I couldn’t open my eyes even if I had wanted to and they streamed all the way home. The medicated after care eye drops provided almost instant relief and within a few hours I could actually see without glasses, it was incredible! The pain also went within a few hours too, which I wasn’t expecting. I felt pretty much fine the next day, except for sun sensitive eyes.
Three months on and I am suffering with dry eyes and using drops constantly. They said this could be expected for a while but it also could be a permanent side effect - I’m really hoping it’ll go away as using drops all day is quite annoying, and they do get quite painful in the evening if I haven’t used enough drops. I guess only time will tell, but for now, dry eyes has been worth it!
I still can’t get over how quick the surgery was, it must have been about a minute on each eye.
Absolutely no pain during the surgery at all, but I have to say, it wasn’t very pleasant (I am squeamish and go a bit funny even when talking about surgery/blood etc ) but it was bearable as it was so quick. They said to allow about 4 hours for the whole process (you have a series of mini appointments with various people) but I was in and out in 1.5 hours. They even called me in the morning and asked if I wanted to come in as soon as I could, rather than wait for my afternoon appointment.
My partner drove me home - we had an hours drive home, and it was horrible, definitely the worst bit! Very painful, like sand/glass in your eyes, I couldn’t open my eyes even if I had wanted to and they streamed all the way home. The medicated after care eye drops provided almost instant relief and within a few hours I could actually see without glasses, it was incredible! The pain also went within a few hours too, which I wasn’t expecting. I felt pretty much fine the next day, except for sun sensitive eyes.
Three months on and I am suffering with dry eyes and using drops constantly. They said this could be expected for a while but it also could be a permanent side effect - I’m really hoping it’ll go away as using drops all day is quite annoying, and they do get quite painful in the evening if I haven’t used enough drops. I guess only time will tell, but for now, dry eyes has been worth it!
Have you tried taking flaxseed supplements it’s meant to help with dry eye. I used it for a bit and it did seem to help and so did my mum. Also hot eye compresses they seemed to help a lot, just not sure how long after you should wait to use them.
Wow, no I haven’t - thank you so much, I’ll give them both a go!!
Any recommendations for London clinics 
I am very tempted but I've been slightly put off. My dad had his cataract done earlier this year. St the pre-op they ask if you've had laser eye surgery and if so they can't treat the cataract.
I’ve never heard that. How old is your father? My mother had cataracts in her 40s, but there is no hereditary/genetic link so you aren’t any likely to get them as any other person!
My dad is in his 70s now. I don't know if this is something that will change over time as things advance more and more.
I'm just very wary with my eyes. My friend had her lenses replaced that's more appealing to me but 10 years on and into our middle years she's just needing to get glasses for reading and computers.
I'm just very wary with my eyes. My friend had her lenses replaced that's more appealing to me but 10 years on and into our middle years she's just needing to get glasses for reading and computers.
Did he have cataract surgery on the NHS?
I've known a couple of people have cataracts done privately recently because the NHS treatment is basically doing the cataract only , whereas privately they can do more treatment if required.
I asked about this when I had my surgery and they said it wasn’t an issue, so maybe it’s something they’ve discovered more recently. Ah well, can’t take it back now!
Glad I found this thread. Really useful.
I am considering getting it done
I'm 29 and -6.5 in both eyes, and astigmatism wear contacts all day and have glasses just in case.
I am just fed up really and thought I can't keep doing this. Been thinking about laser eye surgery surgery awhile so think I am going to get a consult booked with optical express.
Everyone I have spoken to says it's the best thing they ever did.
I am considering getting it done
I'm 29 and -6.5 in both eyes, and astigmatism wear contacts all day and have glasses just in case.
I am just fed up really and thought I can't keep doing this. Been thinking about laser eye surgery surgery awhile so think I am going to get a consult booked with optical express.
Everyone I have spoken to says it's the best thing they ever did.
Yes absolutely, I've booked a consultation in Manchester for mid September so fingers crossed everything will be ok to go ahead.
When I went to the Manchester optical express I think it was just for a consultation they were running really behind. I think I waited an hour and a half or so after my appointment time we had to leave before I was seen as we had somewhere else to be. I saw an assistant for some tests but didn’t actually see the optician.
Was probably just that day was a bad day. I ended up going to the Chester and Liverpool clinic after but mainly because they were easier for me to get to as we only went the Manchester one first since we were going somewhere else that day in Manchester.
Yeah, I had a look at optical express in Manchester, I think there were two places and like you mentioned most of the reviews were about them being behind and getting people in and straight out before the next person. So I've gone with Laser Vision at the Manchester eye hospital. It's a bit more expensive than Optical Express but the only bad reviews I could find was about the parking at the hospital.
I went to Optegra in Manchester, and got pushed towards the Smile treatment- newer procedure and less healing time etc. My Mum had lens replacement / laser eye in the optegra clinic in Leeds and raved about it so thought I’d have a go. I’m short sighted in both eyes -3.00 and wear lenses and was mid 20s at the time. Clinic wait times were always horrendous, spent ages waiting and it was always fully packed with lots of old people. When I had the surgery the machine lost suction on one of my eyes and the surgery had to be abandoned. The surgeon basically stropped out the theatre and the nurses had to try explain what had happened. The surgeon then disappeared for half an hour whilst I was left in waiting room wanting to know if I’d be able to see again out of that eye. I can laugh about it now, but it was awful at the time. My Mum was with me and was horrified that she’d advised me to go for it! They weren’t able to proceed further and I’m now only eligible for full lens replacement eye surgery in the future but cba with having to take so long off work etc. I got to see a full video of the procedure happening on my eye afterwards and where the suction slipped- great to show to squeamish friends and fam 
, and it is apparently in a medical journal / study now 
I do know other family members and friends who have had it and said it’s the best thing they’ve done.
, and it is apparently in a medical journal / study now I do know other family members and friends who have had it and said it’s the best thing they’ve done.I had mine done three years ago when my insurance (in the US) covered 85% of it. I was so surprised that much of it was covered! What I ended up paying out of pocket was so reasonable, and my contract has a lifetime guarantee for revision if needed. All pre and post op appointments included.
I had astigmatism in both eyes, and was far sighted in one eye and near in the other. There’s no recovery time really. They send you home with sleeping pills (or mine did!) and taped on goggles, so you just sleep and go back the next day. If it checks out OK, goggles come off, you wear sunglasses home and your vision is set! I was 20/20 the next day and have been ever since.
I did have some allergy dry eye before and it did get worse after, I now do twice daily prescription drops. Not a big deal to me, it’s still worth it, as I couldn’t wear contacts.
Still, there CAN be side effects like that. I definitely recommend going for the absolute newest lasers and clinics with the best reviews. Do NOT just go for a discount place with Groupons of whatever. Go for multiple consults. It’s worth the time to research!
I had astigmatism in both eyes, and was far sighted in one eye and near in the other. There’s no recovery time really. They send you home with sleeping pills (or mine did!) and taped on goggles, so you just sleep and go back the next day. If it checks out OK, goggles come off, you wear sunglasses home and your vision is set! I was 20/20 the next day and have been ever since.
I did have some allergy dry eye before and it did get worse after, I now do twice daily prescription drops. Not a big deal to me, it’s still worth it, as I couldn’t wear contacts.
Still, there CAN be side effects like that. I definitely recommend going for the absolute newest lasers and clinics with the best reviews. Do NOT just go for a discount place with Groupons of whatever. Go for multiple consults. It’s worth the time to research!
I had mine done years ago, am short sighted, best thing I did! Vision is still perfect now, but my eyes are more sensitive to sunlight..
Paid it back monthly, so was he same price I had been paying for my lenses..
Best advice I can give is make sure someone takes you home straight after and wear sunglasses...go to bed when you get home and try and sleep..I felt so much better for it and my eyes felt less gritty..I also watched TV with my sunglasses on for a day or two!
Paid it back monthly, so was he same price I had been paying for my lenses..
Best advice I can give is make sure someone takes you home straight after and wear sunglasses...go to bed when you get home and try and sleep..I felt so much better for it and my eyes felt less gritty..I also watched TV with my sunglasses on for a day or two!