Laser Eye Surgery Reviews and Testimonials
LASIK review by Louise Clark
Journalist, Cheshire Style
Date: 20 Mar 07
Surgeon: Mr. Waseem Aziz
Location: Minshull Street, Manchester
I think that the worst thing about being short sighted is not being able to put your make up on properly!
How I’ve never gone out looking like Dame Barbara Cartland, I’ll never know.
It’s just not nice having to do your eye-make up whilst squinting at your image in the mirror! I tried to overcome this problem by getting contact lenses but even they came with problems. Trying to get contact lenses in and out with false nails is an absolute nightmare, I can tell you! I’m actually surprised that I have any eyeballs left! Oh and don’t get me started about contact lenses after a heavy night!
I can’t tell you how many times I have woken up and thought that a miracle had occurred overnight, only to then realise, sadly, that I had drunkenly left my lenses in and they have subsequently dried up and feel like they are glued to my eyeballs with polyfiller!
When I heard about laser correction surgery, I never thought that I would ever be able to afford it. Then I saw an advert for Optical Express who offer the surgery from only £395.00 per eye. I found out that I could have a free consultation so I made an appointment at their branch on Cross Street in Manchester. There I met Anna, my very own laser councillor and she was excellent. She guided me through all the different procedures and she gave my eyes a ‘wavefront wavescan’ which pinpointed my exact prescription.
It is like a detailed fingerprint of my eyes and highlighted any imperfections. Then I had my eyes thoroughly examined by her colleague Deepak and he rigorously tested my eyes to check my suitability. I was told that my eyes were ideal for ‘LASIK’ laser surgery and so after going through all the financial details, I decided to go for it!
There are two different procedures that are available, ‘Lasik’ and ‘LASEK’, both of which are very effective but it would take me three pages to write about them, so I’ll leave that up to the experts.
I made an appointment for the following fortnight and looked forward to being able to apply my make up without squinting! On the morning of the surgery, I arrived at the clinic and was handed several forms to fill in and sign, all of which were fully explained to me and then I met my surgeon, Waseem Aziz.
Mr Aziz has been an eye surgeon for over 12 years and has specialised in laser surgery for the last six years. He has performed over 20,000 treatments and made me feel at total ease in his company. He explained the procedure in full and answered all the questions that I had. Then 10 minutes later, I was guided to the operating theatre and Waseem and his team started to work their ‘miracle’!
The surgery itself was uncomfortable but no more painful than having a filling. It only took about five minutes per eye and then afterwards I could see! Honestly, it was that quick! In just ten minutes, I went from being very short sighted to having 20/20 vision. It was amazing! Admittedly, it was a bit blurry and cloudy and my eyes were watering like mad, but I could see! I spent the next couple of hours in a dark room with my eyes closed and by the time I was ready for bed, my eyes just felt puffy.
I can only describe it as like when you’ve watched a really sad film and have cried for a while. By the next morning when I woke up, there was no blurriness, no tears and everything was clear. I could see everything! I had to use anti-biotic and anti- inflammatory drops for a few days afterwards and had to wear sunglasses for a week, which was embarrassing as the weather was nasty for most of the time, but I didn’t care because I could see!
The surgery was worth every penny and I wouldn’t have wanted it done anywhere else. Optical Express’ service was excellent throughout. Their staff were all well informed, professional and very friendly. Every week they carry out more procedures than any other laser provider in Europe and they have over 200 stores across the continent. They are the only laser provider to employ laser specialist ophthalmic surgeons and according to a FDA clinical study, 98% patients treated by V!SX S4IR Customvue Wavefront laser platform achieved 20/20 vision.
They are also accredited by the Health Care Commission and are co-founders of the Eye Laser Association, Since my surgery, I still can’t get used to not wearing my specs. I love the fact that when I get in the shower and reach for my shampoo, it really is my shampoo and not my shower gel, because now I can actually read what it says on the bottle! I can see to put my make up on and I can pluck my eyebrows without having to dodge the rim of my glasses frame! It is absolutely wonderful! I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It truly is a modern day miracle!
Cheshire Style - Issue 10
How I’ve never gone out looking like Dame Barbara Cartland, I’ll never know.
It’s just not nice having to do your eye-make up whilst squinting at your image in the mirror! I tried to overcome this problem by getting contact lenses but even they came with problems. Trying to get contact lenses in and out with false nails is an absolute nightmare, I can tell you! I’m actually surprised that I have any eyeballs left! Oh and don’t get me started about contact lenses after a heavy night!
I can’t tell you how many times I have woken up and thought that a miracle had occurred overnight, only to then realise, sadly, that I had drunkenly left my lenses in and they have subsequently dried up and feel like they are glued to my eyeballs with polyfiller!
When I heard about laser correction surgery, I never thought that I would ever be able to afford it. Then I saw an advert for Optical Express who offer the surgery from only £395.00 per eye. I found out that I could have a free consultation so I made an appointment at their branch on Cross Street in Manchester. There I met Anna, my very own laser councillor and she was excellent. She guided me through all the different procedures and she gave my eyes a ‘wavefront wavescan’ which pinpointed my exact prescription.
It is like a detailed fingerprint of my eyes and highlighted any imperfections. Then I had my eyes thoroughly examined by her colleague Deepak and he rigorously tested my eyes to check my suitability. I was told that my eyes were ideal for ‘LASIK’ laser surgery and so after going through all the financial details, I decided to go for it!
There are two different procedures that are available, ‘Lasik’ and ‘LASEK’, both of which are very effective but it would take me three pages to write about them, so I’ll leave that up to the experts.
I made an appointment for the following fortnight and looked forward to being able to apply my make up without squinting! On the morning of the surgery, I arrived at the clinic and was handed several forms to fill in and sign, all of which were fully explained to me and then I met my surgeon, Waseem Aziz.
Mr Aziz has been an eye surgeon for over 12 years and has specialised in laser surgery for the last six years. He has performed over 20,000 treatments and made me feel at total ease in his company. He explained the procedure in full and answered all the questions that I had. Then 10 minutes later, I was guided to the operating theatre and Waseem and his team started to work their ‘miracle’!
The surgery itself was uncomfortable but no more painful than having a filling. It only took about five minutes per eye and then afterwards I could see! Honestly, it was that quick! In just ten minutes, I went from being very short sighted to having 20/20 vision. It was amazing! Admittedly, it was a bit blurry and cloudy and my eyes were watering like mad, but I could see! I spent the next couple of hours in a dark room with my eyes closed and by the time I was ready for bed, my eyes just felt puffy.
I can only describe it as like when you’ve watched a really sad film and have cried for a while. By the next morning when I woke up, there was no blurriness, no tears and everything was clear. I could see everything! I had to use anti-biotic and anti- inflammatory drops for a few days afterwards and had to wear sunglasses for a week, which was embarrassing as the weather was nasty for most of the time, but I didn’t care because I could see!
The surgery was worth every penny and I wouldn’t have wanted it done anywhere else. Optical Express’ service was excellent throughout. Their staff were all well informed, professional and very friendly. Every week they carry out more procedures than any other laser provider in Europe and they have over 200 stores across the continent. They are the only laser provider to employ laser specialist ophthalmic surgeons and according to a FDA clinical study, 98% patients treated by V!SX S4IR Customvue Wavefront laser platform achieved 20/20 vision.
They are also accredited by the Health Care Commission and are co-founders of the Eye Laser Association, Since my surgery, I still can’t get used to not wearing my specs. I love the fact that when I get in the shower and reach for my shampoo, it really is my shampoo and not my shower gel, because now I can actually read what it says on the bottle! I can see to put my make up on and I can pluck my eyebrows without having to dodge the rim of my glasses frame! It is absolutely wonderful! I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It truly is a modern day miracle!
Cheshire Style - Issue 10
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Prof. Jan Venter MD
Medical Director
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Medical Director
Ophthalmic Surgeon
I previously used the Nidek system but found that the results were less than optimal in many patients. Since using the STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser System at Optical Express, I say with confidence that this technology is the best and out-performs any other system, including the Nidek. The results are phenomenal.
