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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 02 September 2008 21:14
Posts: 4,
Visits: 8
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| I went to the Peterborough Clinic last Friday for my consultation. I would say it went 'ok'. I found myself standing at the desk at the end asking lots of questions to the "receptionist/nurse?" infront of everyone that was sat in the waiting room. Not a comfortable situation. I thought i would be able to sit in a private room and ask away until I could make a decision. I am 34 and have 3 children and have a job that would no longer exist should this all go wrong...........so not a decision Im taking lightly. I have worn glasses and lenses for 20 years and I am a -5.50 in both eyes. I have booked my treatment for the 4th Sept and I am felling sick already thinking about it. I am having the Intralase Lasik with wavefront. Someone please convince me Im doing the right thing!!! I have spoken to lots of people who have had it done and there are all for me having it.. However my nearest and dearest arent so keen, which is making it hard for me!!
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11 August 2008 13:54
Posts: 6,
Visits: 14
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| Hi there I also felt like you and felt panicky whenever I thought about having my treatment. It truly was not nearly as bad as you would think. As the kind of person who is terrified of needles, surgery and anything like that, I didn't think I could go through with it as the thought of them working with my eyes freaked me out completely. But 2 and a half months on the fear is forgotten and all is well. My eyesight is perfect and after 20 years of wearing lenses/glasses its just brilliant. It is terrifying but the anticipation is much worse that the reality. It really was ok, just a bit uncomfortable. I did loads and loads of research and really its as safe as going to the dentist. I work in the health sector and asked lots of colleagues, I would never have gone ahead if I wasn't entirely sure it was safe. I researched various surgeons though and decided I wanted the one with the most experience, having treated 15,000 eyes I didn't think there'd be much chance of me going blind! So I gritted my teeth and went for it, and I don't regret it one bit. (Note I asked and got a 25% discount, it's worth trying to negotiate). At the end of the day, it has to be your decision. I suppose very very occasionally things do go wrong, but in all the research I have done, I have found very few horror stories. I hope if you go ahead you are as happy with the results as I am. Good luck.
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 02 September 2008 21:14
Posts: 4,
Visits: 8
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| Thanks for the reply. I didnt know you could pick your surgeon? Can that be arranged before the day? I suppose they must know who is working that day? Im a Police Officer so obviously cant afford for this to go wrong, else I will lose my job! They say they have given me a discount due to my job!!! But do you ring the Customer Services number to ask for discount? Charley.
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11 August 2008 13:54
Posts: 6,
Visits: 14
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| If you look up the Optimax site, you will find a profile of each surgeon. You can check out qualifications etc and decide who you want. I specified the surgeon I wanted, and that was not a problem. Just had to wait longer as he was more booked up. When I was quoted prices at the clinic, I carried out the negotiations at time of payment. I had to be quite persistant though, depends who you get, but they gave me 25% off. I said I would go ahead with treatment right away if they'd give me the discount. I know they give NHS employees 25% off so worth asking about police as may be public services. But if you push for it you should hopefully be able to negotiate a discount anyway. I have discount/referral cards offering £100 off and free consulation, if you want one I can send one to you if you mail your address. But I would try going for the higher discount. It worked for me!!
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 24 August 2008 02:11
Posts: 2,
Visits: 4
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| Hi, After having had surgery in 1994, I can, hand on heart, say that you are defintely doing the right thing. I can't advise on price or selection of surgeon - all that has changed since then from what I remember - but I can speak from experience and just the wonder of waking up in the morning - looking out at the trees and seeing the individual leaves clearly has never ceased to amaze me! I too wore glasses from childhood moving on to contacts at around 16 years of age and when at 32 I joined a company that suggested I couldn't wear contacts but only 'company' glasses - unfortunately vanity and the - for me - sheer horror of the inconvenience took over my thoughts and something had to be done! I went to the Optimax clinic in London and having visited alternative centres I found Optimax clearly came out on top in terms of open-ness - the staff were willing and helpful and even eager to show me round the whole clinic, friendliness and definitely - at the time - price. I'm back now after 14 years for a second 'dose', as they rightly informed me that I may need reading glasses in my mid to late 40s and I also think I'm going back a little short sighted. Hence my visiting the website to see how things have changed and I want to see if thay can do anything for me now. But good luck for the 4th and believe me - form my experience you really won't 'look back'! 
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 07 September 2008 18:13
Posts: 3,
Visits: 10
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| I hate to rain on the parade here...but this surgery doesn't always have a positive outcome and it would be a mistake to blindly (forgive the pun) encourage someone to go ahead with surgery just because your's went well. I had intralase lasik with wavefront 5 months ago and I can honestly say it is the biggest regret of my life. I am still shortsighted (bearing in mind my prescription was only slight to begin with) so I still need glasses, my night vision is terrible (like seeing fireworks on the road), I have damaged the structure of my eye forever (essentially what you are doing when you create the flap) and I suffer from terrible debilitating dry eye. This affects every waking moment and it seriously affects my emotional state. And I paid nearly 3 grand for this pleasure. Think very carefully about it, it can go great, but if it doesn't what you can end up with is far worse than any 'inconvenience' of glasses and contacts. I am not saying you are doing the wrong thing, but no one can say you are 'definitely doing the right thing'. Like you I was terrified of the actual procedure and was dreading having it done, if only I hadn't been so 'brave' and just walked out there and then.
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 02 September 2008 21:14
Posts: 4,
Visits: 8
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| Gosh they are different responses and to be honest that is exactly what I am getting from family and friends!! Either "go for it" or "you must be mad" . I must thank the person who advised me about finding out about my surgeon. I rang optimax and asked who I have been given...unfortunately someone very new and had not done many procedures. So I specified who i wanted and am now booked in for the 8th Sept. I do feel happier about this! I must say I have tried not to look at this site for a bit as the whole thing was on my mind constantly. I am still not convinced and I dont think there will be one story that persuades me either way! It is a risk, and 'why should I do it?' i keep asking myself? But for people who are as "blind" as me and have worn glasses and lenses for so long..will understand. Charley.
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 01 September 2008 20:47
Posts: 2,
Visits: 11
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| I don't want to be a misery but please don't have surgery. I had lasik with wavefront and intralase surgery in feb for -5.5 in both eyes. It has been a huge mistake. I am now wearing glasses for a prescription of -0.75. Before surgery I would have thought that such a low prescription would be great. However I need to wear glasses 100% of the time if i don't I get severe migraines. I can't see to drive, spot my kids in the park, shopping etc. I can never wear contact lenses again. I feel very depressed and don't like to go out now because it means wearing glasses. I also had extreme light sensitivity which is a side effect of Intralase. This was finally resolved in July after taking drops for 6 weeks however my night vision is still extremely poor and I am terrified when driving at night. I know the op is amazing for most people but it is a gamble and you don't know what the outcome will be. I'd been keen to have surgery and had researched it really well so I went in confidently. I now just wish I could turn the clock back. I'd happily forfeit the £3200 I paid to have my old eyes back. Please don't do it you only have one pair of eyes. Sam
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 02 September 2008 21:14
Posts: 4,
Visits: 8
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| Thankyou for your honesty and im sorry its been a bad experience for you. Do you know why you have been left with a prescription and have they not offered you a re treatment? Can i ask why you cannot wear lenses too? I know its a gamble and i dont think I wll make my mind up until the day. It does work for many but I appreciate that we do only have one set of eyes! Charley.
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 02 September 2008 21:10
Posts: 6,
Visits: 13
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| Sorry to hear you are disappointed . I would have thought -0.75 in each eye was ok . I had inplantable contact lenses and am -0.5 in one eye and +1 in the other and I can see really well. They only really say they can get your prescription within 1 dioptre which you are . Maybe be you were used to really good vision with lenses . Surely it must be great to have that freedom from thicker glasses and lenses . Its great opening your eyes in the morning and be able to see. I was -9.-8 before surgery . I hope your eyesight improves -one thing as you get older and your lenses get weaker your eyes will improve for distance vision because of the .0.75. What have optimax said to you about it ? Linda Linda
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