Laser Eye Surgery Recommendations?

[MoonCowbag]

I've wanted laser eye surgery for years. I am mildly short-sighted (my prescription is around -2 or thereabouts). I also have a mild astigmatism. I think my eyes are on the dry side (so I believe LASEK or SMILE surgery may be the best option for me). I'm 37. I know there is a risk with this kind of surgery and I've accepted that, but obviously want to minimise the possibility of complications by going to the right place.

I'm finding all the options a bit overwhelming TBH. And understandably I want to go somewhere 100% reputable who are going to give me the right treatment, rather than a dodgy clinic who might treat people who aren't truthfully 100% suitable.

I'm eyeing (fnar!) up Optegra but also looking at Moorfields. Not sure if there are any other highly-rated places to consider? I'm in Oxfordshire.

Optegra are doing online consultations at the moment which doesn't sit entirely comfortably with me as I'd rather see someone face to face for a medical-type of consultation. Moorfields charge £175 for a consultation which in some ways is reassuring (i.e. they don't offer a free consultation and then try and push unsuitable treatment) but on the other hand is not an insignificant amount of money to lose if I decide not to go ahead.

Any thoughts/recommendations welcome.

Hi OP, I had Lasik at Accuvision in 2002, when I was in my mid 20's, with a similar prescription to you and astigmatism. It's possibly a different ball game by now, but I really researched it a LOT beforehand. Down to reading the CV of the surgeon they had lined up for me.

It was worth it for me, despite the dry eye trade-off. I already had slightly dry eyes, and have used eye gel drops several times a day ever since having the surgery. Can't do without them. Gel is much better then liquid drops, BTW.

Honestly I'm not sure I would have done it beyond my 20's because - trying to be tactful here - you may not have many years to enjoy it before middle age hits your eyesight. I'm mid 40s now, and I think I need reading glasses (have not yet dared face the music).

The op itself was very scary and left me more nervous than before at the dentist etc.. Was not painful though. Recovery was uncomfortable (gritty eyes). But wonderful to see sharply without glasses.

Some pointers on Accuvision and others here:
www.lasik-eyes.co.uk/clinics/accuvision-laser-eye-clinic/

100% recommend Moorfields. Dr Gartry is excellent.

Cross-post!

David Allamby at Focus Laser Vision

Moorfields — if it’s attached to an actual eye hospital it’s more reassuring to me.

Thank you for all the recommendations! :)

Honestly I'm not sure I would have done it beyond my 20's because - trying to be tactful here - you may not have many years to enjoy it before middle age hits your eyesight. I'm mid 40s now, and I think I need reading glasses (have not yet dared face the music).

Yes, I totally get what you're saying. In an ideal world I would have had it done earlier, but I haven't been able to afford it until now. I do appreciate I won't get as long totally glasses free as I would have otherwise, but honestly I hate glasses so much that I don't care. Anything will be a bonus! I have two young children and my glasses constantly get in the way, steam up, fall off, get knocked by the children, I squint constantly on sunny days because I forget my prescription sunglasses (and when I do remember having to keep swapping pairs is a faff), I can't see when I take the children swimming, etc. I want to be free of all that, even if it's only for a short amount of time before I potentially need reading glasses. I do appreciate your honesty though!

What Mummyford said.

@Mummyford that's really reassuring, thank you! I'm super excited at the prospect. I appreciate all the recommendations and definitely going to check out Moorfields. It looks like they have a set treatment price on their website, which actually doesn't seem unreasonable.

David Gartry did mine at Moorfields. In all honesty, I found him a bit brusque and not particularly helpful after the surgery when I had a slight issue.

Ten years on, it's been great not to wear glasses for driving and tv etc. But, as I was warned, the flip side is that your near vision isn't great once you hit your mid 40s. One eye has also deteriorated a bit and has become slightly short-sighted again.

So overall, happy but worth weighing up both sides. My husband had his done at one of the average laser clinics and was pleased with the care he received (and it was about half the cost of mine at Moorfields).

@jjj321 that's an interesting account, thank you. I'm tempted to book a consultation at Optegra and see what it's like. See what kind of feel I get from it... I like the fact that their clinics are all actually in hospitals, rather than in industrials estates, etc.

I do like the fact the Moorfield is upfront about the cost though - they have a package price listed on their website, none of this "from £XX per eye".

All the reading I've done it feels a bit like the double-glazing of the medical world. Having said that I don't mind going for the cheaper option if I'm confident that they know what they're doing.

It's a while since I had mine, probably about 5 years since my husband had his. From memory, when I was researching mine, there were two different types of technology and one was deemed "better" for most laser procedures than the other.

I suspect that may no longer be the case and everyone uses a similar machine. I feel slightly bad that I deemed my eyes to be worth twice as much as my husband's ;) But his procedure was straight forward and he was impressed by the quality of the care.

Moorfields was fine, but nothing special. I'd probably go for one of the local clinics with good reviews if I had my time again.

I'd highly recommend Moorfields. I had mine done by Julian Stevens a few years ago. He's meant to be the best, he did Claudia Winkleman and Princess Michael.

Their all-in price includes everything. All aftercare and all the prescription drops (there are a lot!). The admin staff were also great - v professional and answered a lot of questions for me!

Also, in case it makes a difference, Moorfields Private pay rent to the Moorfields hospital for their operating theatres, so a set amount of your fee goes into the NHS.

Go for it. Ignore those saying politely you see too old!

I had mine done a optical express (inside a shopping centre- no Swanky hosptial) in 2012. I was 32.

Best money I ever spent.

I'd save up loads for it. So I can't recommend a specific surgeon as I was a bit more blasé! (I did research the surgeon when I found out his name and they literally do thousands of procedures each year)

They said by 47 if need reading glasses. At least I won't need bifocals or varifocals.

I had very bad dry eyes for a couple of years but it wore off. I was very blurry straight after and my whole face swelled and my nose was streaming for a day or two. Waking up the next day despite the discomfort was bliss. It was painful for me afterwards. More than a discomfort, but temporary. Took a week to get over but could work.

You will love it no fogging/ misting /glare/expense and hassle of contacts/ sunglasses/ cost of glasses.

It paid for itself within a few years.

*Also mild shortsightedness and astigmatism

Another one here who went to Moorfields. It was very comforting to know exactly what the surgeons qualifications were. My DD had her cataracts done there too, her original diagnosis at a local hospital just listed the surgeons by name, no indication of their expertise or experience, since the person who she had just seen had been full of doom and gloom about her prognosis ( it was complicated) this wasn’t comforting. The new private wing is lovely, though since all the patients are there for their eyesight we thought the TVs in the rooms were a tad small!

Another one for Moorfields. Best money I’ve ever spent.

Thanks. I am seriously considering Moorfields at this point. The recommendations are overwhelming! And I do like the upfront costs. Plus I don't mind a brusque bedside manner if it means getting the best treatment.
I may have an Optegra consultation, out of interest. Seeing as it is free.

For those who went Moorfields, what was the typical time between consultation and going ahead with treatment?

I have a routine eye test booked at the end of the month (I am way overdue for an eye test!) which I am going to get done before any consultation, so I have my current prescription available.

I’d look at LVS too.
You cannot do a decent consult online.