Optical Express, Optilase or elsewhere?

snappieT · 01-10-2008 9:30pm #1

Hi all,
Had a consultation with optical express during the week, and was very impressed. I knew going in that I wouldn't be paying 595 per eye, and I ended up deciding that Wavefront LASIK (without intralase) is the best for me, with a cost of 1373 per eye.
Before I make any rash decisions, I'd like to hear from you. Have you been to Optical Express (or Optilase) for that matter? Are you happy?

Looking forward to reading your responses,
~S

Toots · 01-10-2008 11:46pm

I went with Optliase, and am very happy. See my post below for more details:

I had Wavefront Lasik with Optilase on the 23rd August and I'd definitely recommend them. The procedure itself was a bit gross for me, but I'm really squeamish so the fact that I was conscious for it and could see what they were doing freaked me out a bit. There was a lovely technician who held my hand for the whole thing .

They were lovely, really friendly and went through all the details of the procedure with me before hand and then the aftercare too. I was given aftercare details at my pre-op so I had a chance to familiarise myself with them before the surgery. In my aftercare pack, I got the antibiotic drops, anti-inflammatory drops, and 3 bottles of those 'Blink' artificial tear drops. I also got plastic eye shields and tape. I had to wear the shields for about ten days after the surgery, at night.

In my first week after surgery I went through the whole three bottles of blink. (I just finished off the third one as I was going in for my weekly check up). They gave me more at my check up. I haven't had to use the drops at all for the last two days now, and my eyes feel pretty much normal. Very little halos or anything, drove down from Belfast last night and I was grand.

All in all, I found them very friendly and efficient, they answered all my questions and encouraged me to get in touch if I had anything else I needed to ask.

BopNiblets · 08-10-2008 11:09pm

I'm going to get it done with OE too soon, I'm only eligible for the LASEK because of the thinness of my corneas) and Waveform (which I would have gone for anyway, not doing a cheapo job on me eyeballs!)

Has anyone got the LASEK done in the Dublin Optical Express?

Limestone1 · 20-10-2008 3:28pm

I've set up appointments with Optical Express and Optilase next week - if I'm going to do this , might as well do it before the end of the year before medical expense tax relief drops to 20%.
The prices seem to have have dropped since I last looked into this about 6-8 months ago - looking at the websites :
Optilase is €3390 for the wavefront treatment less another €1000 for having private healthcare less the tax relief which brings it under €1500.
Optical express is €3230 for wavefront with intralease which is about €2000 with the tax relief.
Can someone confirm if this is actually what you pay or are there loads of 'add-ons' ?

Paulie907 · 30-10-2008 6:17pm

According to the 'Review of Optometry' journal, up to one in six people who undergo laser surgery end up with complications that affect their eyesight

Paulie907 · 30-10-2008 6:21pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2745035.stm

FastFullBack · 03-11-2008 10:20pm

Limestone1 wrote: »

I've set up appointments with Optical Express and Optilase next week - if I'm going to do this , might as well do it before the end of the year before medical expense tax relief drops to 20%.

Was this announced in the budget? How did I miss it? So no more 40% tax relief. Damn I had it planned for the new year.

UU · 05-11-2008 12:09am

Hey all,

I had a consultation today in the Dundrum Eye Clinic which is owned by Eye Laser Ireland and they seemed the best so far cos I've gone to other places also. Luckily I only live in Ballinteer so it's really nearby for me. They are really professional, polite, kind and know exactly what they are talking about everything from the actual operation to tax relief etc. The optician said I have thin cornea so LASEK is ideal for me which my -5.5 eyes. She took a scan and explained everything clearly to me and answered any queries I may have had. She even located scar tissue on my lower left eye which is caused by contact lenses! I'm going in next week for my pre-op and the procedure will be done later this month with one eye done at a time.

Most people wouldn't think of them cos they aren't central but the Luas runs right underneath the centre and they are only across he road from Dundrum Town Centre. The only thing is they are a bit dearer than the likes of Optical Express but they do provide 3 years after-care treatment which includes check-ups every few months and any enhancements that need to be done are completely free! If you have VHI, you can get 15% off.

So for myself, I can only claim 20% tax because my parents are claiming it for me and the 41% has been claimed already for my dad's pension but with 15% VHI included it works out at €2400 plus the standard €200 for the pre-op, it is €2600 in total for me. I like it because I think convenience and after-care should be taken in account. The website is http://www.dundrumeyeclinic.ie/ or http://www.eyelaserireland.com/.

heuston · 05-12-2008 3:39pm

Hi, I'm signed up for laser surgery with optical express newbridge in a couple of weeks. Does anyone have any experience with them?

360ts · 08-12-2008 2:24pm

My father had it done with them and he seems happy, no problems. I couldn't have it done due to the irregular shape of one of my corneas.

I was talking to my optician before I went to get checked out for it and he says he would not recommend them as the doctor performing the surgery usually flies in from the UK, does as many procedures as possible in a few hours and then flies home again.

He would recommend a team that is based here permanently, they would take better care of you and be more familiar with your case.

He also told me that the price for getting the procedure done would be far in excess of what was advertised. Sure enough my father was charged ~€2500 per eye, when it was advertised for €995 per eye. You'll find it hard to find someone who actually got it done for the price advertised, unless they lent their name to an ad.

nostress · 10-12-2008 10:37pm

I am booked in for the 19th with Optical express, they have their own team fully based in Ireland for the regular stuff, I am opting for waveform with intralase. One of the assesment technicians had her own eyes done the day after I was in for the assessment and they flew in a guy from UK for her, I would say that if you assess for their 'normal' stuff go for it, if not and you are concerned go to O'Keeffe in the Mater Private. Also ask who will be your surgeon and if they are resident in Ireland, I asked plenty at my assessment and so far am happy, I will post the results after I have had it done

VMC1 · 16-12-2008 4:13pm

Nostrasse. I had a consultation with Optical Express yesterday. Quoted 3700 euro for wavefront with intralase. Does it seem high? How much were you quoted? My prescrption is only -1.25 and -1.75. It will only cost me 1500 euro after Hibernian's 30% discount and the tax rebate. Following the insertion of the dilating drops my pupils are still huge today and I can't drive because of huge starbursts. Also can't put on the Christmas tree lights because the starbursts are hurting my eyes. Hope things will get back to normal tomorrow.

nostress · 16-12-2008 8:45pm

VMC1 they quoted me 4280 with wavefront and intralase, this is only 120 cheaper than blackrock clinic or mater private, my eyes are -3.5 and -3.25 the worse your eyes are the more they charge, blackrock and mater private are standard 2200 per eye.

I had the drops done at about 17:30 in the evening, the following day my pupils were still huge but I did not have any sensitivity to light and no starburst problems

Anyway I am going ahead on Friday and will post back what I think

Helen2 · 16-12-2008 9:26pm

I have absolutely no problem with the Mater Private / Blackrock Clinic /Wellington / Eye Laser Ireland etc clearly stating their (quite expensive) prices for laser eye surgery. However, I am just flabbergasted that so many people fall for the price baiting used by Optical Express. Does anybody know anybody who knows anybody or has heard of anybody who actually paid 595 per eye????

nostress · 17-12-2008 10:48pm

Hi helen2 don't know anyone who paid the low price, however you can get your assessment done for nothing get all the prices and still go to blackrock etc if you so choose, at least to find out the price costs nothing and you also find out if you are suitable for the surgery

nostress · 29-12-2008 10:15am

Had both eyes done together in optical express on the 19th, wavefront with intralase cost 4280 for -3.5 in both eyes, all went well, it is really uncomfortable for about 6 hours (not painful just irratating you feel the urge to rub your eyes but you can't) after 6 hours its much better and after 8 hrs the irritation goes, had the check up the next day and was up to 20/20 in one eye and one line behind in the other. I had my weekly check on Saturday gone by and both at 20/20 individually and one line better with both eyes open.

No dry eye and off the main drops now, have the blink ones in case I need them, still see a bit of halo around bright lights, this should be gone by my next check in 3 weeks.

Optical express worked out fine for me but as I said earlier my surgery was fairly standard and the surgens were irish and resident here,

If you are in doubt go to Mater or Blackrock

VMC1 · 29-12-2008 7:58pm

Nostress, great to hear the procedure and the outcome worked out well for you. I'm booked in with Optical Express on 22 Jan. Hope it goes well! Will post the outcome.

miss no stars · 29-12-2008 8:11pm

nostress wrote: »

Had both eyes done together in optical express on the 19th,

While I'm very glad it all seems to be going well for you, that very fact should have rung alarm bells with you.

I know someone who has been a specialist in the optham(asomething... I can't remember the correct name) field for decades. Know them quite well, actually. My brother was looking into getting laser surgery done and so naturally, first port of call was to find her opinoin on where is good and where isn't. Her advice was basically: don't go to anywhere that will do both eyes at the same time.

This wasn't a "come to me and I'll do them" thing either, as she doesn't work in laser eye surgery and all that, but does treat the victims of poor practise (and just bad luck) on a daily basis.

So basically, be very careful about getting both eyes done at once. Apparently if you lose sight in one eye, the other eye will come up in visual acuity hugely to compensate for this (barring things like caterracts). Hope this helps.

snappieT · 31-12-2008 1:42am

Hello, original poster back again.
Gladly typing this post without glasses or contact lenses!

I went with Optical Express in the end, got Wavefront (without Intralase).

Overall, very happy. Right eye is perfect. Left eye is not quite perfect. Had trouble with the flap setting, which has since resolved, but some astigmatism returned. They're keeping an eye to wait for it to stabalise, then then will operate again if necessary. I think it may be getting better by itself now.

I have just one complaint: I feel as though the surgeon tried to pressure me into buying Intralase at the last minute. I knew what he was doing and I firmly refused, and he said "no problem", but I still found it unprofessional to be pressuring patients, minutes away from having surgery, into buying additional products.

Minor issues: I was told during my consultation that I'd get valium before the op, and sleeping pills after. I didn't get either. I didn't ask either though. I wasn't that nervous, so maybe they only offer the valium to the basket cases.

Post-op, I felt virtually no pain, just some slight scratchiness (which was corrected with the provided drops). Slept without a bother, and was back to attending lectures in college inside 2 days. 2 or 3 pretty bad headaches have knocked me down for half a day each, but I think this was on account of the difference between left & right eyes. Have had a number of follow-up appointments since, so they can monitor the status of my left eye. I would love to have it 100% sorted now, but I understand the need to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Even despite the issues mentioned, I am very happy with how the procedure went, and how Optical Express treated me on the whole. I would recommend the procedure and the clinic.

Al12 · 03-01-2009 4:09pm

Toots85 wrote: »

I went with Optliase, and am very happy. See my post below for more details:

How gross is the procedure and how long did it take per eye?

Toots · 07-01-2009 3:13am

It wasn't that gross, I'm just incredibly squeamish. It's a bit..... un-natural I suppose. My advice would be just try not to think about it!! They say the procedure takes about 5 mins per eye. Mine took longer cos I kept moving my eye. The suction and incision in the cornea takes about 30 secs or less, then once you focus your eye on the little blinking light, the actual 'zapping' takes about 5 to 10 seconds depending on how bad your eyesight is.

Al12 · 07-01-2009 2:18pm

Toots85 wrote: »

It wasn't that gross, I'm just incredibly squeamish. It's a bit..... un-natural I suppose. My advice would be just try not to think about it!! They say the procedure takes about 5 mins per eye. Mine took longer cos I kept moving my eye. The suction and incision in the cornea takes about 30 secs or less, then once you focus your eye on the little blinking light, the actual 'zapping' takes about 5 to 10 seconds depending on how bad your eyesight is.

Thanks for that. Do they mention the probability of your eye sight needing to be aligned again down the road?say when your eye sight has deteriorated again

Toots · 07-01-2009 9:22pm

If your eyesight deteriorates within a year of the surgery, they'll re-treat free of charge. The chances of this happening is slim though, and the results are usually permanent. The only reason it'd deteriorate again is if your prescription isn't stable at the time of surgery AFAIK. The only other thing they say is that the surgery won't stop you needing to have reading glasses when you get old.

Al12 · 07-01-2009 10:02pm

Toots85 wrote: »

If your eyesight deteriorates within a year of the surgery, they'll re-treat free of charge. The chances of this happening is slim though, and the results are usually permanent. The only reason it'd deteriorate again is if your prescription isn't stable at the time of surgery AFAIK. The only other thing they say is that the surgery won't stop you needing to have reading glasses when you get old.

Hey, thats great.thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

VMC1 · 08-01-2009 12:57pm

Since I had my consultation with Optical Express, I discovered through web research that someone like me who has excellent reading and close work eyesight will immediately need reading glasses. I contacted OE about this and they confirmed it. I was disappointed to discover that I would be swapping short sightedness for bad reading eye sight. They suggested that I could get one eye only corrected and keep the other for reading. Does anyone know if this is normal practice and if there could be any side effects?

monkeytronics · 08-01-2009 2:12pm

Got mine done in the Wellington (now moved out to the Beacon) a few years ago by Arthur Cummins. Savage experience and was pretty much back to normal after a week. Plus they gave a life time guarantee meaning If my eyes regress in the future I can have them redone for free (as many times as is necessary).

I am not so sure how good that would be for the eyes but I suppose the option is there if required.!

Toots · 08-01-2009 2:40pm

Al12 wrote: »

Hey, thats great.thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

No worries! Best of luck if you decide to go ahead with it!

Limestone1 · 08-01-2009 6:35pm

VMC1 wrote: »

Since I had my consultation with Optical Express, I discovered through web research that someone like me who has excellent reading and close work eyesight will immediately need reading glasses. I contacted OE about this and they confirmed it. I was disappointed to discover that I would be swapping short sightedness for bad reading eye sight. They suggested that I could get one eye only corrected and keep the other for reading. Does anyone know if this is normal practice and if there could be any side effects?

It depends on your age. If you are 40+ then your up close vision will probably be affected. I am and my up close was perfect like yours. I had it done a couple of months back and now my up close vision is not as good as before - I am no where near needing reading glasses though. It is noticeable when reading something up close (inside 4 inches from the eyes) which I don't have a lot of call for to be honest.
Apparently this would have happened anyway and all the Laser Eye surgery has done is bring it forward. If I hadn't had the surgery I would eventually need bifocals or contacts and reading glasses together ....

ggenocchi · 26-03-2010 6:32pm

Do not go to optical express i got laser eye surgery done there 3 months ago and i still cant see properly... i went for my consultation and was told i was suitable for LASIK treatment i was booked in for my surgery a few days later... The surgeon was so old and couldnt read himself he was about to give me THE WRONG PROCEDURE until i corrected him... i was gettin my surgery done and they were poking at my eyes for ages wen they turned around and said ur eyes are too small ur gonna have to get LASEK which is the more painful procedure... I was in agony for a week the first 3 days it felt like someone was stabbing me in the eyes... im only 21 and my vission wasnt even bad i was 1.0 in both eyes.. Never go der i still cant fully see and i cant drive because my vision isnt clear enough

niall2223 · 18-04-2010 2:47pm

ggenocchi wrote: »

Do not go to optical express i got laser eye surgery done there 3 months ago and i still cant see properly... i went for my consultation and was told i was suitable for LASIK treatment i was booked in for my surgery a few days later... The surgeon was so old and couldnt read himself he was about to give me THE WRONG PROCEDURE until i corrected him... i was gettin my surgery done and they were poking at my eyes for ages wen they turned around and said ur eyes are too small ur gonna have to get LASEK which is the more painful procedure... I was in agony for a week the first 3 days it felt like someone was stabbing me in the eyes... im only 21 and my vission wasnt even bad i was 1.0 in both eyes.. Never go der i still cant fully see and i cant drive because my vision isnt clear enough

Yeah,have you noticed you're not able to spell properly,either,or were you born that way!!

arbeloa · 20-04-2010 3:39pm

I had LASIK surgery done approximately 15 months ago and I'm still suffering with dry eyes and large floaters. It has been a disaster for me. I am hoping to form a group for people whose eyes have been ruined by this. So for people in a similar position my email is <snip>
Remember if the surgery was so safe then there would be no need to sign a consent form. The complications on the consent form are there because they have happened to people before.

Optical Express, Optilase or elsewhere?

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