Laser Eye Clinics

jbdub

I'm really interested in getting laser eye surgery but can't decide which clinic to go for.

I've narrowed it down to Wellington, Optical Express and Optilase. I'm not sure about Optical Express though as they got some bad press in the UK.

I'm hoping people on here might have some stats or feedback on here around these 3 clinics?

Price not really an issue I'm more concerned about quality of work.

bg07

jbdub wrote: »

I'm really interested in getting laser eye surgery but can't decide which clinic to go for.

I've narrowed it down to Wellington, Optical Express and Optilase. I'm not sure about Optical Express though as they got some bad press in the UK.

I'm hoping people on here might have some stats or feedback on here around these 3 clinics?

Price not really an issue I'm more concerned about quality of work.

I went with Mater Private and would highly recommend them. They were very professional and has as highly qualified surgeons as you can get.

bluecats

I had my op with optical express in Newbridge and the aftercare was in Mahon point Cork.

I've had it done 6 weeks and i've had no problems what so ever - I'd highly recommend them.

I went for a consultation with optilase and there was almost €800 in the difference for the same procedure.

mprgst78

I'd avoid Optical Express if at all possible. I had a few consultations in different Dublin clinics and I was told I should only have laser eye surgery on one eye by every clinic except Optical Express. They told me I should have both eyes done! They just wanted the extra money. Plus, this girl kept calling from Optical Express - she called me 7 times in one day a few days after my consultation. Talk about desperate. Read about the Watchdog investigation that the BBC did about them in the UK too - dodgy company. Avoid

bluecats

I can just speak from my own experience. A work colleague also went with optical Express and she had no problems.
I had done a lot of research before i got the laser eye surgery and I personally can't fault the service I got.

Why pay more for the same procedure if you don't have to, don't listen to THE negative stories! They seem to be more from here say then actual experience.:D

fuzzyfuzzy

Hi all Im a new user and Im getting laser eye surgery done tomorrow- getting nervous now- googleing things like bad reviews etc!
I cant seem to get many reviews of Laservision in Dublin city centre? I bought a groupon voucher and thats why I chose there- I assume they are all pity much the same? Anyone have any good/bag reviews of Dr Fentons practice or experience? Many thanks! EEeeek getting nervous but excited too!

imnosaint

The Best to you Fuzzy,Hope you are looking and feeling Great after the operation.
My wife is Nervous about the Operation...she has had 2 Consultations.
She is still undecided.
She is 50.....She has a few options.
1,Long Distance....but she will need reading Glasses.
At the moment she does not need reading Glasses..Oh
2,She can get one eye done and leave the other alone.
In time she was told that the eyes would ajust to this...oh
3,She could have Implants with surgery...
This would intail...getting contact lenses with varifocus capibilities
so she could see everything without Glasses.
At the Moment she is in limbo.

The best to you anyway.....Cheers

fuzzyfuzzy

Thanks fingers crossed for tomorrow anyway. Im in my 30's with only a small enough prescription -2.75ish.
Im getting the wavefront lasek on both eyes at one time. I'd rather get it over with in one go!

For your wife id go with the least invasive option first and go from there?
Ill let you know how I get on anyway

Thanks

jbdub

fuzzyfuzzy wrote: »

Thanks fingers crossed for tomorrow anyway. Im in my 30's with only a small enough prescription -2.75ish.
Im getting the wavefront lasek on both eyes at one time. I'd rather get it over with in one go!

For your wife id go with the least invasive option first and go from there?
Ill let you know how I get on anyway

Thanks

Hey I'm looking to get the same procedure and my vision is pretty much the same as well.

How did you get on in the end?

fuzzyfuzzy

I had my laser surgery last week and all went fine. Its great to see everything.
A few things I found:
The clinic was fine, well located, you always got to see the consultant on my visits and they seem very nice. Its not plush by any means but I assume this is to keep costs down. I think some posher clinics cost a bit more as they spend money on interiors etc
Anyway I went in about 12 and was out by 2pm. I didnt take the valium but felt ok. The procedure is very quick but i did find it painful. The first eye wasnt too bad, just very uncomfortable for a few seconds- but thats the suction more than anything. The second eye I found worse as the clamp got caught slightly on my eye lid on the way off- at the time i was scared and didnt know what was happening (this is where the valium would have helped!)
It was all over and done in only a few short minutes and i was sent home. My eyes where blurry and it was very sunny and they started to really hurt! all I could do was go to bed for a few hours with some pain killers. The pain was quite bad during those few hours but when i woke a few hours after later my eyes where much much better and I could see!

The following morning my eyes where great- i could see very clearly and had no pain. Within a week my eyes only had dryness which i expected as my eyes where quite dry anyway. Nothing a few drops didnt help. one week on- im THRILLED!!

I happened to go to laservision in Dublin city as I bought a groupon voucher- I found the experience fine and am thrilled with the results. The after care seems to be excellent and again- I got to see dr Fenton each time which was good- I felt like at least he knew my case and knew what he was doing.
I assume that most laser places are much of a muchness really!

Hope this helps anyone looking to get your eyes done- bite the bullet and do it- i wish i had done it years ago!

crazygeryy

Take what you will from this.
a guy I work with had it done last year.a few weeks ago he started complaining of a pain in his right eye.hes now in a manchester hospital hoping they can save the sight in that eye and the doctors told him it was an infection brought on by laser eye surgery.

irishbucka

my wife got her eyes done by optilase back in 2007 and she thought very highly of them.i think when your getting a procedure like this done you have to go with a company thats been in business for a substancial amount of time because the poor companies dont be long falling by the wayside when the sh1t hits the fan

Gingko

People and their fears and scaremongering! The over whelming majority are delighted with the procedure. I know 5 people that have had it done and all have said it's the best investment they ever made!

I've decided to go for it myself through Optical Express soonish. Looking forward to the freedom it will give me! I also know two people who had it done 12 years ago with the standard Lasek and both are delighted with it.

Gingko

Just to add I have received an email from Optical express with a €500 voucher for treatment! That would bring the standard treatment down to €1550 and the wavefront down to €2590. That includes a referral reduction. Now their talking!

pamweld

Ginko what prescription are you eyes at present, I have finally gathered enough money together for this procedure and am looking for safest companies out there and price being secondary concern, don't want to pay fortune for sake of it, got that €500 voucher email too so wondering if the price you staed would refer to me too!

Gingko wrote: »

Just to add I have received an email from Optical express with a €500 voucher for treatment! That would bring the standard treatment down to €1550 and the wavefront down to €2590. That includes a referral reduction. Now their talking!

Gingko

pamweld wrote: »

Ginko what prescription are you eyes at present, I have finally gathered enough money together for this procedure and am looking for safest companies out there and price being secondary concern, don't want to pay fortune for sake of it, got that €500 voucher email too so wondering if the price you staed would refer to me too!

My prescription is -3 both eyes. If you got that voucher then surely you have been checked out already? They would of given you a price then, so just deduct €500 and another €300 if you have a referral?

It's the same procedure using the same equipment as the "private clinics". At first I was thinking of wavefront but I think that was more insecurity on my part. Standard is fine and 1k less! I'll be going for Lasek over Lasik. Met yet another person who had the standard treatment today. And again this person is delighted with it! She had it done three years ago.

For me €1550 is an excellent price! Although will probably be the norm in the not too distant future. Your either eligible for the procedure or not? Because it is the same whether one has it done at the Mather Private or Optical Express. I had the same kind of thing thrown at me when I had an old tattoo removed. I went with the cheaper option (half price) and it was a big success! Again they used the very same equipment by a qualified person. Best of luck!!

Mousewar

Removing a tattoo is very different to lasering your eyeballs.
A scar on your arm is one thing, one on your eye is another.

The biggest difference in clinics is between the ones that will turn down your money because you're not a suitable candidate and the ones that would do the procedure anyway. That's why, personally, I'd stay away from a chain.

Gingko

Mousewar wrote: »

Removing a tattoo is very different to lasering your eyeballs.
A scar on your arm is one thing, one on your eye is another.

The biggest difference in clinics is between the ones that will turn down your money because you're not a suitable candidate and the ones that would do the procedure anyway. That's why, personally, I'd stay away from a chain.

Yes Mousewar I am very aware of that but people are been sold fear here. €1550 is one thing and €4100 is another for the exact same procedure with the same equipment carried out by people with the same qualifications. OE will not go through with laser on someone that is not suitable period!

I have been talking to the Wellington clinic too and by all accounts they are excellent. There are differences in the initial check up. The Wellington say you must leave your contacts out for 2 weeks prior to check up while in OE it's 24 hours. Also the check up in OE lasts for around 1 hour in the Wellington it's 2 hours. Wellington offer a lifetime warranty on a procedure that lasts a lifetime anyway! If a top up is needed it usually occurs within the first 12 months which both parties cover. Still believe people are paying for a brand and location. I'd trust both the Wellington and Optical Express.

Just to note a friend of mine had it done in Australia recently through a private clinic paying the value of €2550. But they had the same check up time and procedure as Optical Express. Private clinics here are grossly overpriced along with their inflated egos.

Mousewar

Just a couple of things

Gingko wrote: »

Yes Mousewar I am very aware of that but people are been sold fear here. €1550 is one thing and €4100 is another for the exact same procedure with the same equipment carried out by people with the same qualifications.

Not all clinics have the same lasers and not all surgeons will have anything like the same levels of experience

Gingko wrote: »

I have been talking to the Wellington clinic too and by all accounts they are excellent. There are differences in the initial check up. The Wellington say you must leave your contacts out for 2 weeks prior to check up while in OE it's 24 hours.

Yes, and with the Mater it's a week. Weird

Gingko wrote: »

Also the check up in OE lasts for around 1 hour in the Wellington it's 2 hours.

I did the Wellington one and it was 2 hours and in fairness there was at least 40 minutes waiting around.

Gingko wrote: »

Wellington offer a lifetime warranty on a procedure that lasts a lifetime anyway!

No, that's not true. I'm sure a lot of people never need it again but I've spoken to plenty that have years after the surgery. Eyesight is not constant, especially in someone that has a tendency towards myopia already. And, also it still only about 20 years since the bulk of people started getting this done. We've no idea what the longterm is.

And as for lifetime guarantees, everyone should always remember that the guarantee is for the company's lifetime, not yours. If they go out of business your guarantee is worthless.

Gingko

Mousewar, Have you had it done yet? And what did the Wellington quote you? It is a good clinic but I personally can not justify what their looking for.

Mousewar

No. I've spent about 2 years researching it - I'm pretty sure I know more about it than anyone who's not a laser surgeon at this stage...lol.
I'm still unsure about it.

I know if I did it I'd only go for the Mater or the Wellington.

Gingko

Mousewar wrote: »

No. I've spent about 2 years researching it - I'm pretty sure I know more about it than anyone who's not a laser surgeon at this stage...lol.
I'm still unsure about it.

I know if I did it I'd only go for the Mater or the Wellington.

If the Wellington would come down on price I would go with them. That said the receptionist said one of the specialists would ring me back next week to see if there was something they could do for me on price as I am only back in country and can not claim tax etc.

Mousewar

Gingko wrote: »

Mousewar wrote: »

No. I've spent about 2 years researching it - I'm pretty sure I know more about it than anyone who's not a laser surgeon at this stage...lol.
I'm still unsure about it.

I know if I did it I'd only go for the Mater or the Wellington.

If the Wellington would come down on price I would go with them. That said the receptionist said one of the specialists would ring me back next week to see if there was something they could do for me on price as I am only back in country and can not claim tax etc.

The mater are cheaper - about 1500 an eye rather than 2k in the wellington.

beltzar

Hey Folks,
If it helps...
I got my eyes lasered in Ballsbridge (Optilase I think..Wellington Road). Approx €3000 for both eyes. I was -3 in one eye and -2 in the other.
Was in and out within the hour. And could notice a difference a few hours later.
The procedure is uncomfortable but not painful.

My only complaint was that the follow ups were useless. I felt that once they had my money they couldnt give a hoot.

And 15months later I already can notice a deterioration in my eyesight. But would I do it again...YES.

murrayp4

I've almiost saved enough for the op and am pretty sure I'll go for either the Mater or Wellington. The Wellington has a good lot of videos on youtube which are pretty informative but some are not for the squeamissh...

channelsurfer2

I had wavefront done with optilase in june 2007 and found them to be excellent. the surgeon did tell me at the initial consulatation that he was leaving optilase the following week and that I should always check who the surgeon is when getting it done and how experienced they are rather than any other selling point.
he said your eyes are your eyes and I found that very helpful and 5 years later no side effects.
the only advice I would give is if you can afford the extra money go for the wavefront which is tailored to your individual requirements rather than just the general.

Mousewar

Good to hear Channelsurfer.
I had a consultation with the Wellington and am having one in the Mater in August. Will then decide between the two.
Already decided on LASEK over LASIK.

pamweld

well I had my consultation on wens last with optical express and am a candidate for treatment. The €500 voucher can be used but not at same time as €300 referrel voucher.
I have to get wavefront as my pupils are 7.5 and standard can only work to 7 which means if I were to use standard I would be guaranteed glare while driving at nightime. Also I am not allowed lasik(more expensive option) as I have a scar in my eye(siblings threw surf in my eye as child) so cheaper option of lasek is only one available!
My prescription is -4.25 and -4.00 and price I was giving for lasek with wavefront at optical express was approx €3350 then take €500 off!

Hope this helps people price up differences!

I found them to be very good and consultant said that surgeon gets paid set amount for job regardless of what treatment you opt for so they will be working in your best interests on the day

fuzzyfuzzy

Hi all just wanted to update you now I'm over a month after having it done. I'm very happy with the results - its like seeing in HD!! I have some dry eye but I had that before the surgery with all the contacts I wore. It's maybe mildly worse- at night anyway. I just have drops I use as soon as I wake up.
I think anyone thinking of getting it done should get a personal recommendation from someone they know if they are anxious. I went to LV. But the mater optilaze etc are all well established and have good reports so it's much of a muchness in my opinion.
I'm so glad I got it done now as I'm in my early 30's and wish I had it done sooner!
Hope this helps anyone thinking of getting it done.

Mousewar

Thanks Fuzzy.
Lasek was it?
Can I ask - how have you found reading and other near work since the surgery?

fuzzyfuzzy

Hi yes it was lasek- the one you can see with straight away- and the one in which they cut the flap.
The first week or two after the op my close vision jumped a bit- it wasnt 100% but near enough- like getting used to new glasses. But now its fine thankfully. Apart from dry eye I'm happy with the results. Hope this helps.

Mousewar

That's actually LASIK you had so.
Lasik = flap, quick recovery
Lasek = no flap, slow recovery

Thanks though - I just wanted to make sure reading wasn't affected.

Charisteas

I'm considering booking a consultation this week with two different companies, just to see if I get the same results back. Optical Express will be one of them, haven't decided on the other yet.

Just wondering, when you go for your consultations, did you need to bring previous prescriptions/reports/documents with you? Or aren't they bothered about your previous eye history? I ask because earlier this year I got a case of Conjunctivitis which became so severe that it scratched something in my eye which resulted in several visits to the Mater to sort it out. As well as the Conjunctivitis problem, I also complained of seeing a constant black dot in the vision of one of my eyes, and they said it's something called a floater.

Anyway my query is, will I need to obtain my eye records from Mater before I make a consultation with laser eye clinics?

Mousewar

You certainly don't need previous prescriptions on paper but they will want to know whether your prescription has been stable over the last few years so it's good if you know that.
I imagine they're unlikely to need actual documentation of the conjunctivitis but obviously you'd need to talk to them about it. Sure, just give em a ring and ask them.
Incidentally, the Mater themselves do Laser surgery so might be inclined to visit there since you have a medical history with them.

Charisteas

Mousewar wrote: »

Incidentally, the Mater themselves do Laser surgery so might be inclined to visit there since you have a medical history with them.

Good point, but it wouldn't really influence my decision. Am I right in saying that the Mater's laser surgery is done in their Private Clinic and not the actual hospital itself?

I have read nothing but excellent reviews about Mater, and especially like the 24-hour emergency number they provide, though i'm still thinking Optical Express as my first choice. The sales pitch which has really sold me well on Optical Express is the line on their website where they state -

Due to the high standard of vision required, all servicemen in the USA Navy who require Laser Vision Correction are treated only on the most advanced technology platform in laser vision correction - the VISX S4IR with Wavefront.

Something about OE using the same technology as the USA navy really struck a chord with me.

Probably Mater use the same technology but couldn't find details on their website so i'll might give them a call.

fairbridge

Most of the clinics in Dublin actually use the visx 4 SIR. Not sure about Mater but I know that apart from optical express, Lumivision and I think Optilase do. You can ring around and ask what laser machine they use. You're right as far as I know the visx is the best one.

fairbridge

*visx S4IR

Davyhal

I was just wondering has anyone heard of anything for people with bad prescriptions, as in I am -14 in one eye and -15 in the other. Optical Express have said that I am eligible, but did not quote a price. Does the price differ dramatically depending on the prescription?

Mousewar

Davyhal wrote: »

I was just wondering has anyone heard of anything for people with bad prescriptions, as in I am -14 in one eye and -15 in the other. Optical Express have said that I am eligible, but did not quote a price. Does the price differ dramatically depending on the prescription?

That is indeed a very high prescription. I would definitely advise visiting a view places to make sure they all actually say you're eligible. Only a few places price by prescription so your cost won;t be higher if you avoid those places.

SMILE is a new type of surgery for people with very high prescriptions. It actually involves keyhole surgery to the eye. Not sure if anyone here offers it yet.

Charisteas

fairbridge wrote: »

Most of the clinics in Dublin actually use the visx 4 SIR. Not sure about Mater but I know that apart from optical express, Lumivision and I think Optilase do. You can ring around and ask what laser machine they use. You're right as far as I know the visx is the best one.

That's good to know. Like I said, the fact that the US Navy use VISX-S4IR really sold me to Optical Express as they state that they use it on their website and none of the other surgeries stated that.

Anyway, i've decided to bite the bullet and send around a few e-mails in regards to available consultation dates, and with a few questions that i'd rather not ask over the phone several times with several different people.

Does anyone have an e-mail address for Optical Express? Their website doesn't list one.

Sheila06

I went to Optilase and have better than 20/20.Went to Optilase because they offer a lifetime care guarantee as your eye can regress after the surgery and you dont want to spend 2-3k again. Would recommend the surgery to everyone.

nh470

Just came across this looking for up to date info for someone. I got mine done by Lasik a few years ago with Wellington Eye Clinic and no problems yet. The decision as to who to use was influenced for me by the fact that they had the 2 major leading types of laser available, so I knew if they recommended one over the other it wasn't just because it was the one they had! Most places only seem to have one type of laser. The South African surgeon did it, he's done thousands. I will find his details and add some more info but just to say, they were very good although expensive. I've recommended several others to go there and only one has had a problem and she had a more complicated procedure than me.

tangoman

I have cataracts and i have been waiting over a year for an apointment in ete and ear as i have a medical card but my left eye almost blind in it now.I am thinking of going private ,can anyone advise me on best clinic in Dublin to go to also the procedure and after cAre.I was told by one clinic the cost would be 3100 per eye and after the operation would have to go back the next day and one week later for check but after the first week if had problem with eye would have to pay 80 euros for every time I went back after that.

Mousewar

tangoman wrote: »

I have cataracts and i have been waiting over a year for an apointment in ete and ear as i have a medical card but my left eye almost blind in it now.I am thinking of going private ,can anyone advise me on best clinic in Dublin to go to also the procedure and after cAre.I was told by one clinic the cost would be 3100 per eye and after the operation would have to go back the next day and one week later for check but after the first week if had problem with eye would have to pay 80 euros for every time I went back after that.

I had my laser surgery in the Wellington Clinic in the Beacon in Sandyford. I know they do cataract treatment quite a bit.