Laser with the Mater

_dublinlad_

I've read up about other clinics but the Mater seems to receive the highest praise with the least complications/bad experiences it seems. I have also heard about the experiences of a couple of friends that got it done there a good few years back, all positive.

Looking for details of more recent experiences. Any complications, details of cost, what procedure you had, how long it takes to get a consultation and to schedule a date for the procedure.

Any information would be much appreciated.

Mousewar

I went for a consultation there and also at the Wellington. In the end, I opted for the Wellington as it was closer to me and I found the staff a little friendlier but there's wasn't much in it. They were the only two places I would consider.
I managed to talk to Prof. O'Keeffe while i was there who is kinda like the laser surgery guru in Ireland. I had always suspected LASEK to be a superior treatment to LASIK based on my own research. It took a while but I finally got him to admit that if he was getting it done, he'd opt for LASEK instead of LASIK. It has a longer recovery time but the it is a less invasive treatment to the eye with less recorded side affects. This was the procedure I had done in the Wellington and am very happy with it.

Magenta

I have a consultation scheduled with the Mater in the next few weeks. I've casually enquired with a couple of opticians over the years what is the best place for laser and both said Prof O'Keefe so that is who I am going to.
Are there any procedures where he will do both eyes the same day? I heard there is one procedure where he makes an exception but can't find the website I saw it on.

_dublinlad_

Thanks for the info Mousewar, much appreciated. How much was the consultation with the Mater, how much did you pay with the Wellington and how long ago was this if you don't mind me asking ? I have kinda came to the same conclusion as well regarding the only two places I would go with.

_dublinlad_

Hi Magenta, if you would be so kind to shoot a quick message on here about how it went I would appreciate it a lot.

Mousewar

_dublinlad_ wrote: »

Thanks for the info Mousewar, much appreciated. How much was the consultation with the Mater, how much did you pay with the Wellington and how long ago was this if you don't mind me asking ? I have kinda came to the same conclusion as well regarding the only two places I would go with.

Just over a year ago. Consultation with the mater was about 120 if i recall correctly. A 100 for the Wellington but they take that off the surgery price.
1700 an eye for Lasek in the Wellington at the time. I actually just got the one eye done myself.

_dublinlad_

Mousewar wrote: »

Just over a year ago. Consultation with the mater was about 120 if i recall correctly. A 100 for the Wellington but they take that off the surgery price.
1700 an eye for Lasek in the Wellington at the time. I actually just got the one eye done myself.

Thanks for that Mousewar.

NZ_2014

Got my eyes lasered there almost four years ago.. All good..

I got Lasek rather than LASIK

Magenta

_dublinlad_ wrote: »

Hi Magenta, if you would be so kind to shoot a quick message on here about how it went I would appreciate it a lot.

Absolutely. Will be sometime in mid-June, feel free to remind me if I forget!

_dublinlad_

Magenta wrote: »

Absolutely. Will be sometime in mid-June, feel free to remind me if I forget!

Thanks Magenta, I may do that. Good luck!

Magenta

_dublinlad_ wrote: »

Thanks Magenta, I may do that. Good luck!

I've bumped my consultation forward to this week and am insanely excited!!! Very hopeful that I can get the Ziemer Lasik. Will let you know how it goes.

_dublinlad_

Good stuff, hope all goes well for you! I think I'm going to book myself in for a consult in the next week or two as well

Yes, do let me know how you get on - thanks

starlight1

Hi, I can't help on information about the actual procedure (yet) but I did have a consultation with the Mater in February. I had narrowed it down to the Mater based on my research/recommendations etc.

I emailed and got an appointment for the assessment/consultation quite quickly (less than a week) at the very early time of 715am! This was the only appointment left that week so not sure if I was lucky there was an appointment at short notice or if it is typically longer.

Just to flag that whoever does your consultation/assessment will also do the actual procedure so be aware if you have a preference that you book in with this person. I was lucky the appointment available was with Prof O Keeffe who was most of the reason I was considering the Mater.

Consultation/assessment costs €140, all very straightforward on the day, was probably there about an hour or so all in all..Variety of tests etc and then you will be informed about which if any procedures you are suitable for. There is also an opportunity to ask questions etc. I am only suitable for Lasek rather than Lasik as my corneas are too thin for Lasik. Cost for this is €1735 per eye (can claim 20% back at end of tax year)

It seems that there are little if any waiting times for the actual procedure (although maybe that was due to time of year of my consultation). I was told I could be in the next week if I wanted. I think Prof O Keeffe does surgery Wed and Fri afternoons.

Oh you must be contact lens free for a week before the assessment and also the actual procedure so just be aware of this

Im hoping to go ahead with the surgery in the next couple of months. Any other questions about the consultation I am happy to help

Magenta

starlight1 wrote: »

Hi, I can't help on information about the actual procedure (yet) but I did have a consultation with the Mater in February. I had narrowed it down to the Mater based on my research/recommendations etc.

I emailed and got an appointment for the assessment/consultation quite quickly (less than a week) at the very early time of 715am! This was the only appointment left that week so not sure if I was lucky there was an appointment at short notice or if it is typically longer.

Just to flag that whoever does your consultation/assessment will also do the actual procedure so be aware if you have a preference that you book in with this person. I was lucky the appointment available was with Prof O Keeffe who was most of the reason I was considering the Mater.

Consultation/assessment costs €140, all very straightforward on the day, was probably there about an hour or so all in all..Variety of tests etc and then you will be informed about which if any procedures you are suitable for. There is also an opportunity to ask questions etc. I am only suitable for Lasek rather than Lasik as my corneas are too thin for Lasik. Cost for this is €1735 per eye (can claim 20% back at end of tax year)

It seems that there are little if any waiting times for the actual procedure (although maybe that was due to time of year of my consultation). I was told I could be in the next week if I wanted. I think Prof O Keeffe does surgery Wed and Fri afternoons.

Oh you must be contact lens free for a week before the assessment and also the actual procedure so just be aware of this

Im hoping to go ahead with the surgery in the next couple of months. Any other questions about the consultation I am happy to help

Thanks a mill- yeah they told me that the surgery would usually be the following week or the week after as well! That was in April. My consultation is this Friday morning, would love to get the op done next week if I can!
How was your vision after the consultation, were your eyes blurry for long?

starlight1

Magenta wrote: »

Thanks a mill- yeah they told me that the surgery would usually be the following week or the week after as well! That was in April. My consultation is this Friday morning, would love to get the op done next week if I can!
How was your vision after the consultation, were your eyes blurry for long?

Eyes were quite blurry immediately afterwards but back to normal in a few hours I think. Was actually quite a weird sensation and was glad I had a lift and wasn't driving. I remember trying to read the info they gave me to take away in the car and not being able to focus properly because of blurring but like I say was gone quickly enough

ah thats great that waiting lists are still similar..I actually emailed today to see how much notice Id need to give for the actual procedure. My eye test, contact lens check and new glasses and contacts all due in next couple of months so using that as my motivation to just go for it!

Good luck with your consultation, do you know which consultant you're seeing?

Magenta

starlight1 wrote: »

Good luck with your consultation, do you know which consultant you're seeing?

Thanks again for your answers- yeah I'm seeing Prof. O'Keefe, I asked for him specifically for the same reasons as yourself.


Edit- do I need to bring a copy of my prescription to the consultation or do they do an eye test as part of it?

Magenta

Ok, here's my update as promised

Had my consultation this morning. Prof. O'Keefe is so nice, really kind and friendly. The tests were done by himself, a nurse and a doctor.
The sight tests are pretty standard, move your eye up down, left right etc.

They then dilate your pupils using drops, the drops take 40 mins to kick in so you go back to the waiting room for that.

They test for dry eye by putting these paper things between your lid and your eye. It wasn't pleasant. The nurse did that for me, she said my eyes seemed a bit dry but I've never been told that before or experienced it, so she put it down to lack of sleep (I'd been awake since 4am).

Prof. O'Keefe has suggested Lasek and that's what I'm going for. The reason he suggested Lasek for me was because I am relatively young and have a high prescription, and my cornea is pretty average thickness. Due to my prescription and age, my eyes may get a bit shortsighted again before my 40s, with Lasek the op can be repeated if needs be without worrying about removing a 2nd lot of cornea. I would have preferred Lasik but he is the expert so am going with his suggestion. Plus, I have a very active lifestyle and have been thrown off a few horses in the past so don't want to have to worry about dislodging a flap, which would always be a concern with Lasik.

The consultation took about 2 hours in total. After that, it took 3-4 hours for my eyesight to go back to normal (my near vision was blurry from the pupils being dilated). My pupils are still huge and as a result I am much more sensitive to light than normal, hoping this passes soon.

The operations will be on Fridays, due to the Bank Holiday Monday I will only need 3 days off work in total so that's grand. Very excited to get it done!

_dublinlad_

Thanks so much for the update Magenta.

I am more interested in getting Lasek prior to going for consultation so I would be very interested in how you get on. It seems like the superior treatment based on my own humble (but extensive) research. Only down sides are reports of more discomfort post op and a much longer period before sight stabilises.

Interesting you say your only planning 3 days off work, from what I've read from personal experiences and reports of Lasek, it takes weeks and sometimes a few months for ones eye sight to stabilise fully? Reports generally say its usually around 80% for a good few weeks/months, so maybe you could work with 80% perfect sight until it comes good?

Anyway, just thinking out loud here. Planning on getting my consult in the next few weeks so we can keep each other updated

Good luck

Mousewar

It took the full 6 weeks for my sight to reach a 100% and stay there after lasek. It varied a lot in the first week. Hit about 85% after about five or six days and then very very gradually increased until it was perfect by week 6.
Can be a bit disconcerting after say 4 weeks - you start wondering is it gonna get perfect but it gets there in the end.
And even though it was lasek which is meant to be more painful i had absolutely no pain. The only discomfort was about a month in when i woke up with a dry eye but it passed.

starlight1

Glad you got on well magenta, must be exciting to have it booked

Yes I was also told that Lasek was longer recovery but if I got it done on the Friday that it would suffice to just have the Monday off..would be really interested to hear how you find it..Im concerned about managing in between with 1 eye done and the other not

I emailed yesterday to find out about availability-Im due my eye test/new glasses and contact lens check up soon so thats my self imposed cut off point for getting it done!

I also asked whether both eyes can ever be done on the same day (think the Mater make exception for one type of surgery).. for lasek this is not possible but I was told that I could have one done on the friday and the second on the following wed if I wished...

Magenta

starlight1 wrote: »

I was told that I could have one done on the friday and the second on the following wed if I wished...

I might ask about doing that too... if I took an extra couple of days off work in between I'd have longer to recover for each eye before going back to work.

Magenta

starlight1 wrote: »

Glad you got on well magenta, must be exciting to have it booked

Yes I was also told that Lasek was longer recovery but if I got it done on the Friday that it would suffice to just have the Monday off..would be really interested to hear how you find it..Im concerned about managing in between with 1 eye done and the other not

I emailed yesterday to find out about availability-Im due my eye test/new glasses and contact lens check up soon so thats my self imposed cut off point for getting it done!

I also asked whether both eyes can ever be done on the same day (think the Mater make exception for one type of surgery).. for lasek this is not possible but I was told that I could have one done on the friday and the second on the following wed if I wished...

did you book in for surgery in the end? Any idea if you can leave alone after or do you need to have someone to collect you? I'd be happy just getting a taxi myself.

starlight1

Magenta wrote: »

did you book in for surgery in the end? Any idea if you can leave alone after or do you need to have someone to collect you? I'd be happy just getting a taxi myself.

I'm pretty sure they recommended someone needed to collect you on the day but not sure how strict they are on that..maybe worth arranging someone for the first one and then deciding for after the second eye? anytime Ive emailed Ive gotten a very quick response so maybe check directly with them?

No havent booked yet, got reply to email and minimal to no waiting times so will wait until closer to the time to book (probably July)

How are you feeling about it?

Magenta

starlight1 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure they recommended someone needed to collect you on the day but not sure how strict they are on that..maybe worth arranging someone for the first one and then deciding for after the second eye? anytime Ive emailed Ive gotten a very quick response so maybe check directly with them?

No havent booked yet, got reply to email and minimal to no waiting times so will wait until closer to the time to book (probably July)

How are you feeling about it?

I'm very excited about it! But a little nervous in case I don't get excellent vision afterwards. But I know I'm in the best possible hands and that's stopping me from being nervous about anything else. I've a ton of time booked off work to recover and plan on just staying in bed for as long as I need to. Are you nervous about it or are you alright?

Pinch Flat

Really great to read this. After losing 2 pairs of glasses recently and breaking a 3rd pair, I've been putting this off.

Reading this thread has given a good insight (see what I did there?) into what to expect and put some of my concerns at ease - will be saving to get the procedure done at the mater and good to know what to expect

marcus2000

I got Lasek done at the Mater about 8 years ago now. Couldn't have gone better. Great service. I'd highly recommend them. After every followup, i just kept making further appointments for follow ups . Think I was returning for a few years - all included in the price. Never had any issues. Eye sight is still 'better than 20/20'!!

Just in relation to the followups - I got an unrelated eye infection about 2 years ago, and I rang them just to see if it was something possibly related.....they said to come in anyway, and they would take a look. Was just a standard eye infection, but they prescribed some antibiotics and the consultation was free......or maybe I just walked out thinking it was free!! who knows!!

Magenta

marcus2000 wrote: »

I got Lasek done at the Mater about 8 years ago now. Couldn't have gone better. Great service. I'd highly recommend them. After every followup, i just kept making further appointments for follow ups . Think I was returning for a few years - all included in the price. Never had any issues. Eye sight is still 'better than 20/20'!!

Just in relation to the followups - I got an unrelated eye infection about 2 years ago, and I rang them just to see if it was something possibly related.....they said to come in anyway, and they would take a look. Was just a standard eye infection, but they prescribed some antibiotics and the consultation was free......or maybe I just walked out thinking it was free!! who knows!!

Glad to hear you got on well! Can I ask what your prescription was? I'm -5.75 and -3.75 so have been warned my sight may regress but as far as I know it's quite unusual for that to happen.

What was your recovery like in terms of pain, time off work, how long did it take for your eyes to get to 20/20?

I will update this thread after surgery and during recovery in case it is helpful to others

marcus2000

Magenta wrote: »

Glad to hear you got on well! Can I ask what your prescription was? I'm -5.75 and -3.75 so have been warned my sight may regress but as far as I know it's quite unusual for that to happen.

What was your recovery like in terms of pain, time off work, how long did it take for your eyes to get to 20/20?

I will update this thread after surgery and during recovery in case it is helpful to others

My prescription wasn't bad at all. -2.25 in both eyes. I had lasek because I had 'borderline thin corneas'. Recovery was OK. I had my eyes done separately, two weeks apart. The Ops were on a friday, and I dont know how I managed it, but I got hosptial letters to cover me for a week off for each!!!! (The good old days). Didnt need a week though The main discomfort was the first evening after the anaestetic wears off. Its more like having grit in ur eye that's just really irritating!!! I got sleeping pills from the hospital, and I basically just dozed through the first day, as much i could. I think the only hard part is getting over the fear of opening ur eye to add your drops. I believe I had a checkup the following day and they tested my eyes. It was already at 20/20. Even , through compensation, I felt like both eyes were done!! You almost feel whats the point in doing the second!! I definitely needed a few days to recover (though this was 8 years - the procedure has probably even been refined more since then).

I would recommend it to anyone.

Magenta

I've now had my first eye done and all great- no pain at all, just a bit of mild discomfort at times! Getting second eye done this week. I'll write a more detailed post when I'm able, am a bit knackered from the painkillers and sleeping tablets etc.

_dublinlad_

Great to hear Magenta. Fingers crossed for ya, and looking forward to the post

driftkingire

ive been thinking of getting this done for a long time as ive been a 4eyes since i left school, im now 38. thanks to all the people who gave feedback on the procedure and recovery aspects as ive often wondered is it painfull.

Magenta

It's been a week and a half since my right eye now and nearly a week since my left- went very well! No pain thank God. Was told it'll be 8-12 weeks before my eyes are fully healed and visual outcome is fully finished, how long did others find it took?

Magenta

If anyone is interested, I've been writing a blog about my experience- you can read it here

starlight1

Magenta wrote: »

If anyone is interested, I've been writing a blog about my experience- you can read it here

Thanks for the update Magenta and the link to your blog, I found it really informative..Just a couple of questions if you don't mind:

I notice you went for the shorter time between eyes, would you recommend this or leave it the full week based on your experience?

How soon afterwards do you think you would be able to drive? I think you mentioned driving standard..was just wondering if Id need to take time off in between or just the few days.

Check up wise how many do you have?

Thanks again and really appreciate you updating

Magenta

starlight1 wrote: »

Thanks for the update Magenta and the link to your blog, I found it really informative..Just a couple of questions if you don't mind:

I notice you went for the shorter time between eyes, would you recommend this or leave it the full week based on your experience?

How soon afterwards do you think you would be able to drive? I think you mentioned driving standard..was just wondering if Id need to take time off in between or just the few days.

Check up wise how many do you have?

Thanks again and really appreciate you updating

Hey there,

>>I went for 5 days between eyes as spacing them out further to 7 days would have meant either (a) returning to work for 2 days with one eye done that may still be painful or (b) using up 2 more days of holidays. I wanted to just take a load of time off and get both eyes done as close together as I could and be as recovered as I could before returning to work. I'm in front of a computer all day in work, which I had read can be hard on the eyes post surgery. As it happened, my near vision only really got back to their previous contacts/glasses standard the day before I came back to work so I was glad I took so much time off.


>> I was 20/40 in each eye a couple of days after each surgery which I believe is driving standard. Personally I would not drive until I had both eyes done a few days.

>> Check ups- 1 day, 3 days (bandage lens removed) and now have one this weekend too which will be day 15 for my right eye and 10 for my left.

Magenta

Been a couple of weeks now and my vision, while testing better, actually SEEMS of lesser quality than when i first got the op done?!!?

Mousewar

Magenta wrote: »

Been a couple of weeks now and my vision, while testing better, actually SEEMS of lesser quality than when i first got the op done?!!?

Tis a strange ol' time waiting for Lasek to sort itself out. I think everyone who has starts freaking out at this point. Give it six weeks.

Magenta

Mousewar wrote: »

Tis a strange ol' time waiting for Lasek to sort itself out. I think everyone who has starts freaking out at this point. Give it six weeks.

I am very upset and worried that I will still be shortsighted when I heal. I get quite nearsighted in the evenings too, laptop gets blurry. If I don't end up at 20/20 aka 6/6 I will ask for a retreatment as it cost so much money to get this done and I want to get really good results.

Mousewar

What prescription were you before? And how many weeks exactly since treatment?

Magenta

Mousewar wrote: »

What prescription were you before? And how many weeks exactly since treatment?

was -6 in right (3 weeks since op) and -4 in left (2 weeks since op).

_dublinlad_

Isn't 2 weeks fairly early days tho Magenta? I wouldn't be concerned for the first 2 months or so from what I've read.

Mousewar

Yeah it's way too early and the two eyes are healing at different rates as the surgeries were a week apart. The difference between them will make it difficult to see properly especially in low light.
Remember the vision will fluctuate for the first few weeks, up and down. They'll settle around six weeks but the vision continues to improve for six months!

Magenta

Thanks guys, it's just it's the most money I've ever spent on anything so am very anxious that it turns out ok!

_dublinlad_

It will be for me as well Magenta, so I completely understand were your coming from. But like Mousewar said its very early days and they went through the ups and downs too before coming good. Keep us up to date and I'm sure you will be fine

Magenta

I had a checkup this morning and all is good. My left eye is at 6/9 and right is at 6/12. Professor said not to worry and it can take 8-12 weeks for the eyes to fully come right. He said it is actually a negative thing if they heal too quickly. So I am happy out and keeping the faith

Crazyteacher

Is it very painful ? What about the procedure itself ?

Black_Knight

Hey Magenta. How you getting on now? Ive been psyching myself up these weeks to get the ball rolling with laser eye surgery. You said LASEK was recommended because of your age, prescription, and cornia. Im wondering what age you are?

My prescription is basically -5 in both eyes, and in my head id rather LASIK -Mainly because of the recover time/all done in 1 day etc. Ive had a few colleagues get surgery recently. 1 Lasik, 1 lasek, and judging on those 2 alone, i'd rather LASIK.

Magenta

Black_Knight wrote: »

Hey Magenta. How you getting on now? Ive been psyching myself up these weeks to get the ball rolling with laser eye surgery. You said LASEK was recommended because of your age, prescription, and cornia. Im wondering what age you are?

My prescription is basically -5 in both eyes, and in my head id rather LASIK -Mainly because of the recover time/all done in 1 day etc. Ive had a few colleagues get surgery recently. 1 Lasik, 1 lasek, and judging on those 2 alone, i'd rather LASIK.

Hi there, I am 28! Getting on great now, vision is at 20/20. With LASIK, be aware that the flap never fully heals so bear in mind if you have any hobbies etc that might cause you to get impact to your eye, for example football.

Black_Knight

Magenta wrote: »

Hi there, I am 28! Getting on great now, vision is at 20/20. With LASIK, be aware that the flap never fully heals so bear in mind if you have any hobbies etc that might cause you to get impact to your eye, for example football.

Any excuse to wear those Edgar Davids goggles. Thanks!