Laser Eye Surgery - Opinions

yllw.ldbttr

discombobulate wrote: »

Just had my eyes tested for the first time last week and picked up a pair of glasses. My prescription is -1, -.75

I probably needed them for my long vision for the last few years but kept putting it off. I want to get laser done and was wondering how long I should wait after having my first test to getting it done? Is there a minimum recommendation?

Also who the best to go with would be without reading through this entire thread. Thanks

Recommendation is a stable prescription for two years.

discombobulate

yllw.ldbttr wrote: »

Recommendation is a stable prescription for two years.

Cheers. Wish I hadn't put off getting the test done for so long now!

DungHT232

Anybody can help me to answer that from price in this link:
http://www.optilase.com/laser-eye-surgery-pricing/
1745e is for both eyes or one eye? I hope it will be for both eyes. Can you advice me any doctor in Optilase? How about there quality?

Thank you and waiting for your info.

Mousewar

DungHT232 wrote: »

Anybody can help me to answer that from price in this link:
http://www.optilase.com/laser-eye-surgery-pricing/
1745e is for both eyes or one eye? I hope it will be for both eyes. Can you advice me any doctor in Optilase? How about there quality?

Thank you and waiting for your info.

Prices are per eye.

DungHT232

Thank you, Mousewar.

Anybody can offer me where should I do laser for my eyes, optilase or optical express, or any else? What doctor should I choose?
Do you know how they calculate how much money to do laser for my eyes? I got Myopia is -4.5 both eyes, but also got Astigmatism 1 for right eye and 0.5 for left eye.

Last thing, I want to ask about claim 20% tax relief. I am an international student in Ireland, and study in here for one year, so can I apply to claim 20% tax relief, or only some people can do that?

Thank you for reading.

p.oconnor

Hi, can anyone tell me if the VHI offers anything towards Laser Eye Surgery?. I have been wearing contacts for about 5 years without any problems until recently where I have been getting eye infections from the contacts (3 times in about 6 months). Its starting to become clear I won't be able to wear contacts over a long period of time so I was thinking of going for a few consultations to see if im eligible for surgery, Anyone have any thoughts on who I should go to and what I should look out for?... thanks in advance.

Mousewar

I'd recommend you go to one of the clinics offering free consultations just to see if you're eligible in the first instance. You may be susceptible to eye infections from what you say so that could rule you out. Best to get the consult and then see. Of course for the actual procedure I personally wouldn't recommend any of the clinics offering free consults.

VHI cover a certain percentage depending on where you get the surgery.

p.oconnor

Mousewar wrote: »

I'd recommend you go to one of the clinics offering free consultations just to see if you're eligible in the first instance. You may be susceptible to eye infections from what you say so that could rule you out. Best to get the consult and then see. Of course for the actual procedure I personally wouldn't recommend any of the clinics offering free consults.

VHI cover a certain percentage depending on where you get the surgery.

I have been to an eye specialist and he said it seems to be the contacts causing the problems, nothing else. He openly discussed me having laser eye surgery so hopefully I would be eligible. He said the main problem people find is having dry eyes? ..... I will ring around and arrange a few consultations in anycase.

Charisteas

Mousewar wrote: »

Of course for the actual procedure I personally wouldn't recommend any of the clinics offering free consults.

Why not? I would have thought that the fact that the 'high street' names such as Optical Express perform a lot more procedures than the likes of Wellington counts as an advantage in OE's favour. Or do you reckon the high street names kinda stop caring when it comes to the aftercare?

Mousewar

Charisteas wrote: »

Why not? I would have thought that the fact that the 'high street' names such as Optical Express perform a lot more procedures than the likes of Wellington counts as an advantage in OE's favour. Or do you reckon the high street names kinda stop caring when it comes to the aftercare?

It's a personal opinion as I'm not connected to any of these clinics. But I spent a lot of time looking into all these places and by far the most consistently well reviewed places are the Wellington and the Mater.
They are also the only two places where I've actually heard of the surgeons and their contributions to the development of laser eye surgery in this country.

Both have been around a long time and I suspect will be around long after high street chains have scaled back when the profits thin out. And with at least two high street chains facing financial difficulties lately I'd want to make sure the clinic I go to will still be around if and when I have any difficulties with the procedure.

p.oconnor

Arranged the my first consultation with Optilase in Cork.... any good/bad opinions on the service they provide?

Seve OB

DungHT232 wrote: »

Thank you, Mousewar.

Anybody can offer me where should I do laser for my eyes, optilase or optical express, or any else? What doctor should I choose?
Do you know how they calculate how much money to do laser for my eyes? I got Myopia is -4.5 both eyes, but also got Astigmatism 1 for right eye and 0.5 for left eye.

Last thing, I want to ask about claim 20% tax relief. I am an international student in Ireland, and study in here for one year, so can I apply to claim 20% tax relief, or only some people can do that?

Thank you for reading.

The Mater or the Wellington and nowhere else. Price is the same there regardless of what prescription you have. I'm not going into detail again, as I have written enough on it before so look back through the thead and others I posted in.

Tax relief is what it says oin the tin. It is a tax credit against your tax bill. So if your tax bill for the year is 10k and your tax credit for your laser eye surgery is €1k, then your final tax bill will be 9k. If you have already paid all your tax, you will get a cheque back from the Govt when you return your Med 1 form.

As you are a student here for only 1 year, I imagine you are not earning a wage so therefore not paying tax so this will have no effect on you if that is the case.

p.oconnor wrote: »

Hi, can anyone tell me if the VHI offers anything towards Laser Eye Surgery?.

Mousewar wrote: »

VHI cover a certain percentage depending on where you get the surgery.

Actually the VHI / Quinn (whatever they are called now) or Aviva etc do not offer a brass cent towards laser eye surgery. Ring them and ask them if you don't believe me, and it does not matter what plan you are on, it is not something they do.

Some high street chains lead you to believe that there is a VHI etc reduction, but the fact is there is not. They offer the discount bacause they want to, and in turn you give them your Health Insurance number for no reason at all. All a bit fishy to me, I would not be giving them mine.

p.oconnor wrote: »

I was thinking of going for a few consultations to see if im eligible for surgery, Anyone have any thoughts on who I should go to and what I should look out for?... thanks in advance.

Mousewar wrote: »

I'd recommend you go to one of the clinics offering free consultations just to see if you're eligible in the first instance. You may be susceptible to eye infections from what you say so that could rule you out. Best to get the consult and then see. Of course for the actual procedure I personally wouldn't recommend any of the clinics offering free consults.

Totally agree with Mousewar here. Go for a free consultation to see how you get on. Hell do it a couple of times, if it is free you have nothing to loose and it will give you peace of mind to be told by a couple of people that you are suitable. Then go and pay for one.

I know someone who was told different stories by different people. Of course the high street feeebies all told him he was suitable but both Mater and Wellington told him he wasn't. Why? revenue v someone who actually cares.

Charisteas

Just a few notes about my Optical Express consultation which I had very recently. I do also plan to have one with Optilase and Mater before the end of the month.

When I had my Optical Express consultation, I didn't mention I had Aviva insurance until after they quoted me a price. When I was quoted the price, I then mentioned I had Aviva, and she simply did a calculation on the computer and my new discounted price was quoted to me, no hassle at all.

I got the impression that Aviva cover that whole 25% because it really didn't seem to faze Optical Express that they had to knock that 25% off of the already-quoted price.

I was pretty happy with my overall consultation and I felt like they were honest with me when I asked the tough questions. I like the fact that after surgery, they want you to come back in for aftercare appointments three times within the next week (day 1, day 4, day 7) after surgery. In an interview I read which RTE conducted with Dr O'Keefe, The Mater have you back the next day but then not again until 4-6 weeks after. I guess I'll know more after my consultation, although he may have been talking about LASIK, whereas OE recommended I get Wavefront LASEK. So the coming back 3 times in the next week may only be for LASEK, not LASIK.

Wavefront LASEK was actually my preferred option anyway due to it being slightly less risky.

I'm not sure if this has been brought up before, but the Optical Express and Optilase websites are strikingly similar so I wonder if they are owned by the same company (and thus have the same contracted surgeons), or just have the same website designer. Anyway, i'll have my Optilase and Mater consultations hopefully within the next 2 weeks, then plan to have the surgery before Xmas, although I have been dragging this out for months!

Seve OB

Charisteas wrote: »

Just a few notes about my Optical Express consultation which I had very recently. I do also plan to have one with Optilase and Mater before the end of the month.

When I had my Optical Express consultation, I didn't mention I had Aviva insurance until after they quoted me a price. When I was quoted the price, I then mentioned I had Aviva, and she simply did a calculation on the computer and my new discounted price was quoted to me, no hassle at all.

I got the impression that Aviva cover that whole 25% because it really didn't seem to faze Optical Express that they had to knock that 25% off of the already-quoted price.

I was pretty happy with my overall consultation and I felt like they were honest with me when I asked the tough questions. I like the fact that after surgery, they want you to come back in for aftercare appointments three times within the next week (day 1, day 4, day 7) after surgery. In an interview I read which RTE conducted with Dr O'Keefe, The Mater have you back the next day but then not again until 4-6 weeks after. I guess I'll know more after my consultation, although he may have been talking about LASIK, whereas OE recommended I get Wavefront LASEK. So the coming back 3 times in the next week may only be for LASEK, not LASIK.

Wavefront LASEK was actually my preferred option anyway due to it being slightly less risky.

I'm not sure if this has been brought up before, but the Optical Express and Optilase websites are strikingly similar so I wonder if they are owned by the same company (and thus have the same contracted surgeons), or just have the same website designer. Anyway, i'll have my Optilase and Mater consultations hopefully within the next 2 weeks, then plan to have the surgery before Xmas, although I have been dragging this out for months!

For what it is worth O'Keefe did mine and I was back the next day, the next week, and then two weeks later and 2 weeks after that again, then 3 months and then 6 months. Next appiontment is 1 year anniversary. Their door is always open also if you have an issue and need to drop in which I did outside of those appointments cause I had a little niggle in the early days and they gave me a gel which helped.

Ring Aviva and see if they will be paying OE for your laser surgery. I bet the answer is no. OE never even asked you what plan you are on, so by default that means that they offer it on every plan. It is just a discount they offer, but I am wary as to why they do it and need your health insurance number, what are they going to do with it?

Charisteas

stevieob wrote: »

For what it is worth O'Keefe did mine and I was back the next day, the next week, and then two weeks later and 2 weeks after that again, then 3 months and then 6 months. Next appiontment is 1 year anniversary. Their door is always open also if you have an issue and need to drop in which I did outside of those appointments cause I had a little niggle in the early days and they gave me a gel which helped.

That's good to know, perhaps it depends on the type of treatment performed. Did you have LASIK or LASEK?

stevieob wrote: »

Ring Aviva and see if they will be paying OE for your laser surgery. I bet the answer is no. OE never even asked you what plan you are on, so by default that means that they offer it on every plan. It is just a discount they offer, but I am wary as to why they do it and need your health insurance number, what are they going to do with it?

Optical Express didn't ask me for my health insurance number, nor did they even ask to look at my Aviva card, I could have 100% been lying to them. That's what made me suspect that Aviva will pay that extra 25% for me.

Seve OB

Charisteas wrote: »

That's good to know, perhaps it depends on the type of treatment performed. Did you have LASIK or LASEK?

Can't remember< i always get confused between them.

Got the flap lifted so whichever one that is

p.oconnor

Went for my first ever consultation there yesterday at Optilase in Cork, they were very helpful and even showed me where the surgery would be taking place and how the how the machines are used in the process. I have to return next week to see the surgeon as I have two small scars from infections caused by contact lenses. I was quoted €3490, does anyone know how claiming back the 20% Medical Levy works?

...And did anyone else notice it took your eyes about a full day to return back to normal after they putting in the drops to make your pupil massive? ... the light effected me greatly walking out the door, I could hardly walk back to the car

Mousewar

Yeah that's normal. The drops dilate the pupils making them large like they would be in low light. That then makes you sensitive to bright light and it also makes your close sight worse.

Charisteas

p.oconnor wrote: »

€3490, does anyone know how claiming back the 20% Medical Levy works?

I believe it's a simple case of filling out a MED1 form which you can obtain from your local tax office, or download from revenue.ie.

But you can only claim at the end of each year, which is frustrating if you get your surgery done in a January for example as you have to wait almost a year to claim your money back.

Seve OB

Charisteas wrote: »

I believe it's a simple case of filling out a MED1 form which you can obtain from your local tax office, or download from revenue.ie.

But you can only claim at the end of each year, which is frustrating if you get your surgery done in a January for example as you have to wait almost a year to claim your money back.

No you don't. I have done it many times with college fees. You just send them in a letter with a copy of the receipt asking for your tax credit to be applied.

Charisteas

stevieob wrote: »

No you don't. I have done it many times with college fees. You just send them in a letter with a copy of the receipt asking for your tax credit to be applied.

I'm talking about health expenses, not college fees.

revenue.ie wrote:

When can I make a claim?

Claims for tax relief for health expenses incurred in a tax year can only be made after the end of that year

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it6.html

chocoholic

I got Wavefront LASIK laser eye surgery last July. I did a lot of research before I got laser eye surgery. My sister went for a consultation in the Wellington last year and found out she wasn’t suitable. The consultation cost her €120 so I decided to go somewhere for a free consultation first. I went for a free consultation with Optilase and Ultralase. I asked everyone I knew who got it done and I heard lots of good feedback about Optilase. My friend who is an optician also recommended Optilase so I went with them. I met my surgeon a week before the surgery so this was very reassuring as he explained everything in detail. On the day of the surgery I was a bit nervous but the staff were so nice and they explained everything so I always knew what to expect. It was a bit uncomfortable when the surgeon used suction to hold my eye in place but the surgery itself didn't hurt at all. My vision was a bit blurry when the surgery was finished but I could see a massive improvement already. I left the clinic around 10 minutes later and I was in shock at how my vision had improved already. The anesthetic started to wear off and my eyes started stinging and streaming. I put in eye drops and went to sleep for a few hours and then we went for dinner that night. It felt like a miracle that I could see without contacts or glasses!

MisterEpicurus

I've got vouchers for 150€ off for Optical Express. They are redeemable within the next few weeks only so if anyone is going to get it done here, let me know and I'll send them on.

Mousewar

Don't want to sound petty but 150 quid isn't much off. Don't think it's worth choosing your clinic for. Also, I'd bet money that you could go into Optical Express or most other places and say 'I don't have a voucher but I want the 150 quid off anyway or I'm going elsewhere' and they'd do it in an instant.

bostonboy50

I would be interested in the vouchers for optical express goin for free consultation next week let me know if you still have them. Thanks

MIKEY KERRYBOY

Would anyone have a referral voucher for Optilase? I am getting the surgery in a fortnight. Thank You.

chocoholic

Hi Mikey,

I have a referral voucher. I'll PM you with my details now.

chocoholic

If anyone else is thinking of getting laser eye surgery with Optilase please PM me if you would like €100 off your surgery. I got it done in July and my brother got it done in October when he saw how happy I was.

NewApproach

Hi there, has anyone got the procedure done in the Galway Clinic?

AgileMyth

NewApproach wrote: »

Hi there, has anyone got the procedure done in the Galway Clinic?

With Optilase?

They do the procedure in Dublin but the follow up is all in Galway. Had it done in February. Best thing I've ever done.