Laser Eye Surgery - the best place & procedure

Hollypop wrote: »

I have finally bit the bullet and called Blackrock Clinic for an appointment with Mr. Power. Just waiting for them to call me back for my initial consultation.
Wearing glasses for 23 years now and contact lenses (dailys) for the last few years.
Very nervous about the procedure. Glad i'll be offered valium though. .
I get valium when i go to the dentist - that's how nervous i get.
Heading to the US for a holiday in 3 weeks and would love to have it done for that.
I will update when i get my first appointment.

I had actually forgotten about this thread and your post is a very timely reminder

I got the procedure done last Wednesday and guess what..... I can see again

So I had taken my time and researched a lot. I understand what people are saying about reading to much into horror stories but it is good to know the possible outcomes, but do remember they are few and far between.

So as i previously mentioned I got the free assessment in in optilase about a year and a half ago. I only did it because they collared me at a stand in a shopping centre one day and I only went cause it was free. They had a lot of good things to say and because of the research I had done I was able to throw lots of questions at them. They were able to assure me that I was a very suitable candidate, but then they would say that wouldn't they....they wanted my cash. What happened next I did not appreciate, the pressure to get the operation done, first by the girl who checked me, saying I would have to come in next week or else it would be ages away because they were full up and then the phone calls followed........ I didn't even have the finance then to do it and it was only information I was after.

The price they advertise of 495 per eye is absolute codology also. I'm -5.5 so that chalked it up to about 4k, going for the best they had to offer. I rang ultralase and they would not tell me any information about price until i went for a consultation with them. I always thought the law stated that you must display a price list!

In was not going to go to any place without speaking to my optician who knows me well (we happen to be old friends also). She is a very well respected optician and has held high office within the FAOI, so this was always gong to be a recommendation worth taking note of. I was ready to make the move about a month ago now so she gave me a test and checked my suitability, and described everything to me. She was able to tell me that I was producing good tears, a good indicator that I would not suffer with dry eye after.

Now her recommendation was to go to the Mater as they are the best. Alternatively the Beacon is a very good place and would be happy if I was to see anyone in either place. Lastly she said that the only person she would recommend in Blackrock clinic is Weng Lee. Enough said, I was off to the Mater to see Prof O'Keefe.

No bull when I booked my assessment, was told the price up front, €1,535 per eye plus €120 for consultation. I opted for Lasik with the Zeimer option to cut the flap (an extra €90 per eye). Again positive results after the assesment so with a similar picture from 3 opticians now I felt much more confident about getting it done, so I booked myself in there and then for the following Wednesday.

The procedure was quick and relatively painless. Because I opted for Zeimer they did both eyes the same afternoon, about 2 hours apart. The sore part was the clamp and the Zeimer because it has to suction onto your eyeball, so there is a bit of pressure, but once it is on, it only takes 20 seconds to make the cut and with the laser treatment itself, you don't feel anything but get a subtle smell of burning, a bit like singeing hair. In and out in what felt like not much more than 5 minutes. I was nervous as hell, I could have done with a packet of the valium, but the nurses were great giving words of encouragement and holding my hand! The simple stuff can make all the difference...

They give you a check over after 20 minutes or so and let you on your merry way. Off home with clear perspex patch taped over the eye, a bit blurry but by the time I went to bed I could read the time on the Sky box.. happy days. You have to put two different drops into each eye every hour till you go to bed for a minimum of 5 or 6 hours after the operation. Then it is only 4 times a day for a week after which you just use one of the drops till the bottle is empty.

I was able to drive in the next morning for the day after check and all reported good, so not back in for a week. He gave me a lube drop then to use as I felt the eyes drying out. I played golf on the Saturday so really in great shape.

The feeling in the eyes after, when they get a bit dry is best explained as if you were after sleeping the night with your contact lenses in, but the lube drop is great.

I have felt the last few days though like there was something in my right eye so went in this morning for piece of mind to get it checked. Turns out nothing I need worry about but just part of the healing process but they gave me a gel drop which helps a lot.

I have not suffered much at all from glare from tv, computer or even driving at night, maybe a slight bit, but nothing to bother me in any way. Get a small little headache at times that you might get from straining your eyes under a bright light, but close your eyes and look away and all is fine.

Need to take it handy with regards to exercise for a few weeks and no swimming, goggles at night to stop you from attacking yourself. I'm dying to be able to stick my head under the shower and let the water all over my face but am to scared in case I upset the healing.

All in all I'm one happy camper and to be honest I still am not used to the idea, I have even reached for my glasses a couple of times......... That's what wearing them for 25 years does to you. I think once the first few months has passed and it is all healed it will kick in. At the moment it is just like wearing contacts.

Best of luck to anyone getting it done and my recommendation is to talk to your own optician first, then get it done in the Mater or the Beacon. No harm in going for a free assessment in the likes of optilase, but don't get the operation done there, Mater is actually cheaper if you got bad eyesight like me!


Wow, that was a mouthful..........