OPTILASE V OPTICAL EXPRESS

lisaloo · 19-01-2009 12:13pm #1

Hi All,

I had a free consultation with Optical express and have been approved for Wavefront Intralase Lasik. I was quoted 4600 for the procedure. I get 30% back for having Hibernian Health insurance and the 20% relief which brings the total to 2400. I was really happy with this but decided to call Optilase to see their price.

Quoted 3390 for both eyes, get 1k off on the day and also 20%relief bringing their total to 1912, thats saving 600 for going with Optilase.

Decided to talk to Optical Express who advised me that aftercare may not be included in their price. Can anyone clarify this? also they said the surgeons are not registered in Ireland and their surgeons are. Lastly they told me that Optilase giving 1k off on the day is illegal as they now have a contract with Hibernian giving customers 30% off.

Are their big differences with these 2 and are Optilase as good and offering this price in recession times ? good Competition?

lisaloo · 19-01-2009 12:52pm

any opinions on either?

Eola · 19-01-2009 2:18pm

I believe Optilase ask for 200 Euro for Pre-operation Surgical consultation plus 200 Euro for something else (sorry, I have an information pack at home). Optical Express does not have Pre-operation consultation at all as I have heard. I am not really sure that "giving 1k is not legal".

lisaloo · 19-01-2009 2:52pm

Does anyone else know if this is true? an extra 400 that they do not mention?

DingDong · 19-01-2009 2:59pm

I went with optilase and couldn't be happier only had it done yesterday. It cost 2390( no extra 400) for everything including consultation fee and after care for 1 year (I still have to get money back from the tax so it will be less again). The detail of the surgeon are as below and by the look of things is registered in Ireland. I did ask why they didn't use intralase and he said it was more of a gimmick for getting more cash out of the customer. Although having lasik was uncomfortable it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm delighted I went with them. They also did a great job on my sister and few friends eyes too.

Arthur Nylander, FRCS, FRCOphth, DO.
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

Dr. Nylander qualified from the University of Ibadan, in Nigeria. He traveled to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies in Ophthalmology. His training to be an Ophthalmologist took him to various centers across the United Kingdom. These centers included:

* The Tenants Institute of Ophthalmology, Western Infirmary Glasgow
* The West of England Eye Infirmary, Exeter
* The University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff Wales
* The Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield.

Dr Nylander obtained his Diploma in Ophthalmology from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. He holds the Fellowship in Ophthalmology from the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Ophthalmologist, London. He also has a fellowship in Corneal & Anterior segment from the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.

Dr. Nylander started laser refractive surgery in 1992 and to date as performed over five thousand laser procedures for refractive surgery. These include PRK, LASEK & LASIK procedures.

In 1996 he was appointed as Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with sub specialist interest in cataract, cornea and anterior segment and Oculoplastic surgery at the Burnley NHS Trust (Now East Lancs NHS Trust) in Lancaster, U.K. He is currently college tutor of the Trust.

He is an examiner in Ophthalmology for:

* The University of Manchester Medical School
* The Royal College of Ophthalmologist, U.K.
* The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, U.K.

Dr. Nylander has full registration with the Medical Council of Ireland AND general Medical Council in the U.K. He is on the Specialist Registrar as an Ophthalmologist in the United Kingdom. He is currently a member of:

* American Academy of Ophthalmologist
* United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
* British Society of Refractive Surgeons
* European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
* International Refractive Society.

He is also a council member of the United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons

lisaloo · 19-01-2009 3:49pm

Thats really good to hear you had a good experience.
I wonder why are different people saying different things? some saying extras and then you say thats the full amount 2390.

DingDong · 19-01-2009 4:02pm

Maybe they work for Optical express?. I don't know but thats the full and final price I paid

Eola · 19-01-2009 4:11pm

lisaloo, it was definitely said in the info pack that you have to pay 200 Euro for pre-op, but it probably deductible from your final payment. I am going to Optilase for the consultation this week and I will find it out

.

The price difference could still be in using/not using IntraLase.

DingDong · 19-01-2009 4:19pm

Here's a link to the price link
Its pretty clear Wavefront Lasik / Lasek €3390 less the 1000 works out 2390
The 200 Euro for pre-op is included in the 2390.

lisaloo · 19-01-2009 4:35pm

Thanks for all the replies. Im going for a consultation also next week.

lisaloo · 19-01-2009 4:49pm

OK so just found out Optilase dont do Intralase which means a blade will be used. Surely this is the reason why its cheaper wit them?

DingDong · 19-01-2009 9:52pm

I was going to go with Lasek because they didn't do intralase, but the surgeon put my mind at ease that intralase is not necessary. If the surgeon is not that skilled he is more likely to recommend intralase Lasik so I was told by the surgeon at optilase, he believes its just a gimmick. Have a read of this debate it might help you make you mind up link

Mothy · 20-01-2009 6:22pm

I had surgery done in September at the Wellington. Price was not going to be a factor for me, my eye sight is too valuable for that. From -10 to ~ 0.75 (20/20 at least). No need for glasses at all now and swimming is great fun!

I asked my Dad (retired Ophthalmologist) his opinion on the Wellington and after a week he came back to say both the lads there has a good reputation. Invaluable as far as I was concerned.

Some links you may like to check out:
http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/registration/check.asp

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=4220&ss=laser .
Loads of comments to read but worth it. They sometimes blanked out the name of the "clinic" but sometimes it's left in. Just so your aware. The word "clinic" appears a lot.

Oh, and my procedure was Lasik and with the blade. They said they had both done procedures with Intralase but found they got a better quality of flap with the blade.

As always... these are just my opinions, with 0% medical experience

OPTILASE V OPTICAL EXPRESS

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