laser treatment

The Irish Riddler

I have been told by an unqualified person that optilase wavefront is the best treatment in Ireland for corrective vision.

How does it compare to the treatments available abroad?

Pink11

I went with ultralase. They are the longest running laser eye clinic in the UK/Ireland.

Ultralase use laser for the entire process (alas more expensive) where as optilase use a blade for step 2 of the 3 part laser surgery process.

(I went to both companies before choosing Ultralase due to the laser use.)

miltonkrest

mater private - no complaints

veritable

That's not true. I had my laser surgery in Optilase in Dublin and they used the laser for both parts. It's called intralase as far as I remember.

Pink11

veritable wrote: »

That's not true. I had my laser surgery in Optilase in Dublin and they used the laser for both parts. It's called intralase as far as I remember.

I went for the first free consultation with Optilase in Cork about a month ago. The guy who ran all my tests told me himself they use a blade for the second stage of the surgery. He told me that people who were squeamish about the whole thing would have to go to Dublin for a more expensive treatment to avoid the blade method in the second stage. I was instantly turned off and didn't go back. I didn't care about the money either. I was happier I paid more and went to a place I was comfortable with.

The Irish Riddler

Are the results the same for both?

Are there better alternatives in the UK or USA?

The Irish Riddler

Whats a good dedicated forum for laser eye surgery?

amtc

I got mine done optilase with intralase six months ago.

Brilliant

Go for it

The Irish Riddler

Bump for any dedicated laser eye surgery forum recommendations. Thanks.

Seve OB

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

Bump for any dedicated laser eye surgery forum recommendations. Thanks.

See here

Mousewar

Although I am yet to have the surgery I have done a huge amount of research into it. This is what I have discovered, if anyone is interested.

1 - The majority of 'serious' complications that people suffer seem to be the result of poor consultation, i.e., people being advised to take the surgery when they are not good candidates. It is essential that you receive a consultation by a competent, unbiased, professional.
2 - To that end, there are only two places in the country I would consider for the surgery myself, i.e. the top two places which won't pressure you and who will refuse you if you're not suitable.
3 - If you are getting LASIK, you should ensure that the flap is cut with a laser, not with the mechanical blade. It may cost more but it is worth it. Cutting the eye in this fashion damages it. The laser performs a far thinner cut that will have a significantly smaller risk of later complication.
4 - LASEK has no flap. As far as I can tell it is a superior treatment save for it taking longer to heal and being somewhat more uncomfortable. Certainly before the introduction of a laser to cut the flap, it was hugely preferable to LASIK. The laser-cut flap in LASIK somewhat reduces the difference now.
5 - A Taiwan surgeon has given up performing LASIK treatment as he had a significant number of patients come back after 10 years with sudden vision deterioration. He put this down to inflammation due to the surgery. He no longer offers the treatment as he feels it is against his ethics. His findings were largely dismissed by the governing health body. His name is Ray Tsai. I don't say it to frighten anyone but just so they can be aware of all the information. Personally, I think his findings may be the result of older treatment techniques (i.e. the mechanical blade to cut the flap) and will not be repeated in newer cases. Google his name for the info.
6 - The surgery will, apparently, compromise you near vision, i.e. you will need glasses to read.

The Irish Riddler

2. What are these places you speak of?

6. Can people who have had the surgery confirm the near vision problems exist?

Mousewar

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

2. What are these places you speak of?

6. Can people who have had the surgery confirm the near vision problems exist?

Not sure what the policy is on naming places but I was referring to the Mater Private and the Wellington.

To clarify the near vision thing. Nearly everybody suffers a decline in their near vision after their mid 40s. In most cases the curvature of the cornea in shortsighted people offsets this decline and means that shortsighted people won't need reading glasses or will have a reduced dependency on them. If you reshape the cornea with laser surgery to correct your distance vision you will lose this 'advantage' and be like someone who always had 20/20 vision. You won't definitely need reading glasses but chances are...

jackdock88

@mousetrap: I would add Optilase to that list too. I visited all three clinics and found that none of them pressured me. One of my good friends had her laser eye surgery in Optilase too (she recommended me). I choose them in the end because they were the best value in my mind for what I wanted and they were professional throughout.

Mousewar

Yeah, that was just from my experience evaluating each place. It's my eyes so I wasn't going to consider anyone but the absolute best.

The Irish Riddler

What do you think of this?



Laser Eye Surgery For Both Eyes With Full Aftercare for €1899 with LaserVision Eye Clinic (52% Off)

Mousewar

Groupon deal for surgery on your eyes?! No thanks.

AlmightyCushion

Mousewar wrote: »

Groupon deal for surgery on your eyes?! No thanks.

Pfft, who needs eyes when you can save money.

Seve OB

Mousewar wrote: »

Yeah, that was just from my experience evaluating each place. It's my eyes so I wasn't going to consider anyone but the absolute best.

I think you are right. There are only two places which are top of the tree when it comes to Laser treatment, but that is not to say that other places can't do a great job, they are just not elite performers.

Seve OB

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

What do you think of this?



Laser Eye Surgery For Both Eyes With Full Aftercare for €1899 with LaserVision Eye Clinic (52% Off)

not a lot!

Mousewar

Oh and one other point to make. A lifetime guarantee is obviously not for your lifetime but for the lifetime of the company. If they go out of business next month, your guarantee ain't worth much.

jackdock88

Mousewar wrote: »

Oh and one other point to make. A lifetime guarantee is obviously not for your lifetime but for the lifetime of the company. If they go out of business next month, your guarantee ain't worth much.

Good point, you need to make sure the clinic will be around. It seems to me that these groupon deal businesses are just trying to raise short term cash.

skinny malinky

I went with Optical Express. They were great, very professional and I always felt relaxed with them. I was -10.5 and -9.5 so my eyes were pretty bad, but they're almost perfect now.
I say 'almost' cos they're not 50-50. I was supposed to go back for a tiny bit of tweaking but I never bothered. How lazy is that!
Oh and they give you the choice of doing it up north so that you get tax back. Think it was worth about 300 or 400. (which I still haven't claimed - jesus i'm so lazy).

The Irish Riddler

skinny malinky wrote: »

I went with Optical Express. They were great, very professional and I always felt relaxed with them. I was -10.5 and -9.5 so my eyes were pretty bad, but they're almost perfect now.
I say 'almost' cos they're not 50-50. I was supposed to go back for a tiny bit of tweaking but I never bothered. How lazy is that!
Oh and they give you the choice of doing it up north so that you get tax back. Think it was worth about 300 or 400. (which I still haven't claimed - jesus i'm so lazy).

how does that work regarding tax?

The Irish Riddler

After the operation can you see enough to get a taxi home yourself or do you need someone to hold your hand?

skinny malinky

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

how does that work regarding tax?

If you go with Optical Express, go to your local Optical Express office (my one was in Dublin). Tell them you want it done in Belfast to get tax back - they actually advised me to do this as money was tight. Keep the receipt after your treatment and bring it to your tax office and you get 10% (might even have been 20, not too sure) back at the end of the year.

This isn't just an Optical Express thing, I'm sure it's for any operation outside the country.

Sorry for the sketchy details, my memory is rubbish.

skinny malinky

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

After the operation can you see enough to get a taxi home yourself or do you need someone to hold your hand?

This is the only thing I was a bit annoyed about. I wasn't informed by OE that although the procedure is painless, this bit could be irritating to say the least. There's no way I could have made my way home on my own, absolutely no way. Couldn't open my eyes, I mean literally physically couldn't. The "pain" was akin to a constant flow of sand into my eyes, and it lasted about 12 hours. It only came on about half an hour after the procedure though, so if you've a taxi waiting you should be grand.

I had mine done in Belfast so I had to get the train back. Would have been quite literally lost without my mate.

I should also point out that it's apparently different for different people. I've talked to people who had no discomfort afterwards.

The Irish Riddler

stevieob wrote: »

not a lot!

what do you not like about it?

Seve OB

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

After the operation can you see enough to get a taxi home yourself or do you need someone to hold your hand?

I was fine, had IK treatment done in both eyes same day, my dad pulled up outside and I jumped into his car. Had a patch over the second eye still at that stage, but it is a clear perspex type of thing. The vision was blurry, but not a bother to jump in a taxi or something. Not sure I would have braved public transport, I dont think i could have made out bus numbers.

skinny malinky wrote: »

If you go with Optical Express, go to your local Optical Express office (my one was in Dublin). Tell them you want it done in Belfast to get tax back - they actually advised me to do this as money was tight. Keep the receipt after your treatment and bring it to your tax office and you get 10% (might even have been 20, not too sure) back at the end of the year.

This isn't just an Optical Express thing, I'm sure it's for any operation outside the country.

Sorry for the sketchy details, my memory is rubbish.

I don't have a clue what you are talking about. Any medical expenses you incur in Ireland you can claim tax relief on. Why did you have to go to Belfast to get tax back?

skinny malinky wrote: »

This is the only thing I was a bit annoyed about. I wasn't informed by OE that although the procedure is painless, this bit could be irritating to say the least. There's no way I could have made my way home on my own, absolutely no way. Couldn't open my eyes, I mean literally physically couldn't. The "pain" was akin to a constant flow of sand into my eyes, and it lasted about 12 hours. It only came on about half an hour after the procedure though, so if you've a taxi waiting you should be grand.

I had mine done in Belfast so I had to get the train back. Would have been quite literally lost without my mate.

I should also point out that it's apparently different for different people. I've talked to people who had no discomfort afterwards.

Did you get IK or EK treatment? might explain why you felt pain and I didn't so much

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

what do you not like about it?

Discount eye surgery..... are you mad

Mousewar

The Irish Riddler wrote: »

what do you not like about it?

Listen mate, these are your eyes. There's no reason to go to some place to save money when you should be going to the best place possible. Occasionally there are complications and when there are they are invariably down to people being given the surgery when they should've been told not to. Going somewhere that is run by businessmen desperate to get paying patients under the laser is not a good idea. Don't chase a bargain with this. Concentrate on finding the best clinic, not the best discount. If you can't afford the best, wait until you can.

skinny malinky

stevieob wrote: »

I don't have a clue what you are talking about. Any medical expenses you incur in Ireland you can claim tax relief on. Why did you have to go to Belfast to get tax back?



Did you get IK or EK treatment? might explain why you felt pain and I didn't so much

Ha, sorry, it's 3 years since I had it and I've a rubbish memory as it is. Maybe it was because of the exchange rate then... I'm not sure. Moral of the story is money was tight so they advised me to get it done in their Belfast clinic as it worked out cheaper overall.

Can't remember whether it was IK or EK. God I'm useless.

Seve OB

skinny malinky wrote: »

Can't remember whether it was IK or EK. God I'm useless.

IK = lift a flap

EK = no flap

Eoineen12

i am having the OP next week 27/06 - anyone have vouchers left over, as any financial help would be greatly appreciated

Eoin

Seve OB

Eoineen12 wrote: »

i am having the OP next week 27/06 - anyone have vouchers left over, as any financial help would be greatly appreciated

Eoin

Vouchers! Are you mad?

Eoineen12

stevieob wrote: »

Vouchers! Are you mad?

Stevie, what I mean is when you have Laser eye treatment, they give you after discount vouchers for you to refer a friend to them, they are worth 150

Seve OB

Eoineen12 wrote: »

Stevie, what I mean is when you have Laser eye treatment, they give you after discount vouchers for you to refer a friend to them, they are worth 150

Not in the mater they don't.
Actually they don't give them anywhere that maters!

Mousewar

stevieob wrote: »

Eoineen12 wrote: »

Stevie, what I mean isvie when you have Laser eye treatment, they give you after discount vouchers for you to refer a friend to them, they are worth 150

Not in the mater they don't.
Actually they don't give them anywhere that maters!

Stevie, do the mater have a lifetime guarantee?

Seve OB

Mousewar wrote: »

Stevie, do the mater have a lifetime guarantee?

Yes

Have you bitten the bullet yet and got yours done?

Mousewar

Getting closer. I had a consultation with the Wellington but think I might go to the Mater as well to be sure. They're cheaper and seem to have at least as good a reputation. Been mulling over this for nearly a year now.

Seve OB

Mousewar wrote: »

Getting closer. I had a consultation with the Wellington but think I might go to the Mater as well to be sure. They're cheaper and seem to have at least as good a reputation. Been mulling over this for nearly a year now.

I was the same, except probably mulled over it for more like 10 years!!

probably one of the best things I ever did.

What I find though is that my eyes seem tired a bit more often. However when I am out and about in the fresh air, they feel great. I'm sure it has a lot do do with working in an office!

Mousewar

stevieob wrote: »

I was the same, except probably mulled over it for more like 10 years!!

probably one of the best things I ever did.

What I find though is that my eyes seem tired a bit more often. However when I am out and about in the fresh air, they feel great. I'm sure it has a lot do do with working in an office!

Well it's still fairly recent for you isn't it.
I think I'll arrange to go see Prof. O'Keefe. Actually had an appointment for tomorrow morning but I ended up cancelling it.

Seve OB

Mousewar wrote: »

Well it's still fairly recent for you isn't it.
I think I'll arrange to go see Prof. O'Keefe. Actually had an appointment for tomorrow morning but I ended up cancelling it.

yea, was in April. I'm not giving out or anything, I think it's great. O'Keefe did mine and couldn't have asked for a nicer guy. I only had to go back the day after, the week after, then he said see you in 3 months!

go for the appointment, see how you get on, and if nothing else, you get a good feel for the place and staff, and you won't be dissapointed. it is a different world to "discount voucher city" over on ely place!

The Irish Riddler

I have seen people saying a voucher for laser eye surgery is mad and that i should go to the best place possible.

Which place is that?

Charisteas

Mousewar wrote: »

I think I'll arrange to go see Prof. O'Keefe. Actually had an appointment for tomorrow morning but I ended up cancelling it.

Do you mind me asking why did you cancel?

Mousewar

Charisteas wrote: »

Do you mind me asking why did you cancel?

Nothing to do with that clinic. I was just in two minds about the surgery itself. Still am.
I subsequently had the appointment though another time.

Charisteas

Mousewar wrote: »

Nothing to do with that clinic. I was just in two minds about the surgery itself. Still am.
I subsequently had the appointment though another time.

How did you get on? I have my Mater appointment next month.

kingcrowley

Hi All,

Had Lasek about 6 weeks ago in Optical Express in Dublin and very happy with the results. (I wasn't suitable for Lasik and I couldn't afford the Wavefront treatment offered)

Any questions about my experience - i am happy to answer. And I also have referral vouchers if anyone wants one,

Regards,

David

Mousewar

Charisteas wrote: »

How did you get on? I have my Mater appointment next month.

Was in two minds about the consultation. They have an immense reputation but I felt a little letdown that I waited a very long time to specifically have my consultation with Prof. O'Keefe and I only saw him for about ten seconds when he popped into the room, asked me one question and then left. So was a bit disappointed with that. But other than that it was similar to the Wellington where I had one as well.

Charisteas

Mousewar wrote: »

Was in two minds about the consultation. They have an immense reputation but I felt a little letdown that I waited a very long time to specifically have my consultation with Prof. O'Keefe and I only saw him for about ten seconds when he popped into the room, asked me one question and then left. So was a bit disappointed with that. But other than that it was similar to the Wellington where I had one as well.

Did you specifically request to see O'Keefe weeks in advance, or only on the day of the consultation?

My initial appointment was for a Fitzsimons but i've since called them and requested to change to O'Keefe (at a sacrifice of having to wait another 4 weeks) so I won't be pleased if O'Keefe isn't there on the day.

belleva

kingcrowley wrote: »

Hi All,

Had Lasek about 6 weeks ago in Optical Express in Dublin and very happy with the results. (I wasn't suitable for Lasik and I couldn't afford the Wavefront treatment offered)

Any questions about my experience - i am happy to answer. And I also have referral vouchers if anyone wants one,

Regards,

David

Hi David
I would love to hear EVERYTHING, I am getting Lasek done with OE (in Kildare) next month (eeeekkkk). How is your sight? How was the pain? When could you drive? Would you recommend them? And anything else?

Mousewar

Charisteas wrote: »

Did you specifically request to see O'Keefe weeks in advance, or only on the day of the consultation?

My initial appointment was for a Fitzsimons but i've since called them and requested to change to O'Keefe (at a sacrifice of having to wait another 4 weeks) so I won't be pleased if O'Keefe isn't there on the day.

Oh i specifically requested O'Keefe and had to wait ages. Then nearly everything on the day was with some woman and O'Keefe came into the room for all of half a minute. Disappointing but i did catch up with hum in the corridor afterwards and asked him some stuff. He was very nice and confirmed what i always thought: Lasek > Lasik