IMPORTANT! This is MoneySavingExpert's open forum - anyone can post
Please exercise caution & report any spam, illegal, offensive, racist, libellous post to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
Laser Eye Surgery Cost Cutting Tips
07-02-2007, 5:30 PM
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,785
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by tanith
can anyone tell me what happens after laser surgery.. do your eyes continue to deteriorate as before the op so that in a while you again need glasses or is this op a fix that works forever more...?
|
You're advised to have the surgery at a stage of your life when your vision is stable i.e. not when you're a growing teenager or in your middle years when you might start finding yourself in need of reading glasses. The results are longlasting and you don't require repeat surgery  Having said that, most people have this surgery at a fairly young age for short-sightedness and will find that as they get older they become long-sighted and so may require reading glasses for near vision. HTH
|
 |
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to point3 For This Useful Post:
Show me >>
|
|
|
|
|
09-02-2007, 9:09 AM
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 67
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by point3
The results are longlasting and you don't require repeat surgery Having said that, most people have this surgery at a fairly young age for short-sightedness and will find that as they get older they become long-sighted and so may require reading glasses for near vision. HTH |
This is exactly what I was told by the Doc who carried out my surgery. He underlined the fact that it would be almost a certainty that I would require reading glasses after about the age of 45.
Office Monkey
|
|
|
|
|
09-02-2007, 12:33 PM
|
|
MoneySaving Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
|
I've just had a first consultation for Lasik (wavefront) & have been quoted £1600 per eye, I'm going to have a further consultation with Optical Express next week to make a comparison. My prescription is -5.00 for both eyes. Just a quick update 25/4/07
I had the Lasik procedure with Wavefront & Intralase on Saturday 21/4/07 after careful consideration I chose Optical Express . It's early days I know but after my 24 hour check up I was informed my eyesight was two lines better than 20/20 in one & one line better than 20/20 in the other. I'd say that was pretty good for day one post surgery ! I have to say the procedure was painless although once the local anaesthetic wore off I was in some pain for a little while but that's forgotten about now and it's great to be able to see without specs or contact lenses which I've worn for 25 & 21 respectively. :
Last edited by Hunbot; 25-04-2007 at 7:41 PM.
Reason: Change in circumstances
|
|
|
|
|
09-02-2007, 3:21 PM
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 67
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by pre-reg
whats the best price anyone has been offered for lasik with wavefront +femtosecond at optimax? Thanks |
I paid £1480 for this treatment for both eyes last Friday at the Optimax in Leeds.
Office Monkey
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Man-Alive For This Useful Post:
Show me >>
|
|
|
|
|
25-02-2007, 7:04 PM
|
|
MoneySaving Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1
|
I am a surgeon and work for one of the laser companies (I am not telling you which as this may make it look as if I am advertising). Just a warning, not all lasers are equal. Some can give much better results than others, think of Mercedes versus Vauxhall. Both are cars and to a non-expert both may look superficially similar, but we all know which is best. Price is not a guide. The best clinic that I know is certainly not the most expensive. Sorry, now you are on your own, good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
25-02-2007, 7:20 PM
|
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North East
Posts: 215
|
Please Please also remember that the machine (laser) does not guide it self. It is vitaly important to check out the surgeon with the nhs. Make sure he is qualified as an eye surgeon an not a vet. Sounds strange but used to be possible. Dont know if it is now. On a possitive note i had laser eye surgery in leeds (ultralase). 8 years ago - have not been happier. I checked out with NHS surgeon who worked at Newcaslte and was transferred to leeds. I kept with surgeon as he was who i checked and was comfortable with. Surgery is elective and a very big decision - most of these sites have chat rooms also - recommend visiting and listening to other peoples views.
bargain babe
|
|
|
|
|
25-02-2007, 10:09 PM
|
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Scotland
Posts: 213
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by caraboo
Please Please also remember that the machine (laser) does not guide it self.
|
Most modern lasers do actually guide themselves (based on pupil center - and also eye axis rotation if Custom treatment) : In refractive surgery, trained monkeys could pretty much carry out the role of surgeon. There is very little skill involved in the surgical procedure and as bill above mentions the results of the surgery depend greatly on the LASER used. Where the surgeon's ability comes to the fore is in the post-op aftercare.. if required. As far as picking the right laser for the surgery - I would strongly recommend the VisX STAR S4+IR LASER with CustomVue Wavefront treatment over any other LASER currently FDA approved (although things do change rather quickly). Other LASER's to google for include Bosch & Lomb (inc Zyoptics - the B&L equivalent of CustomVue). It is particularly important to ensure that the laser is relatively current to the point where it has active pupil tracking (DO NOT let yourself be treated by an older laser with no tracking). It is also extremely important that the laser allows wavefront treatments, especially in patients with pupil sizes larger than about 6mm or who suffer from poor night vision/glare pre treatment. Additionally it is well worth the extra cash to plump for the IntraLase LASER created flap.. this procedure greatly reduces the risk of flap complications with LASIK and results tend to be 1 line better on the eye test. Healing can be a little more uncomfortable than the mechanical blade created flap, and you may be light sensitive for up to 2 weeks post surgery, but long term results are better. Whatever you do though, DO NOT choose IntraLase OVER Wavefront/Custom treatment if cost is an issue.. the 1 line improvement of IntraLase does not match the improvement a Wavefront over a standard treatment can bring. So Wavefront first, then IntraLase..  http://www.allaboutvision.com/vision...asik_laser.htm this site gives a good round up of the results and technical specifications of most commonly used FDA approved excimer LASERs and has lots of other interesting info. www.lasik-eyes.co.uk is another good one with lots of user reviews of the various clinics. Finally don't forget, you'll be wearing sunglasses everywhere you go for a week.. 
Last edited by cosmokramer2004; 25-02-2007 at 10:15 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to cosmokramer2004 For This Useful Post:
Show me >>
|
|
|
|
|
26-02-2007, 12:13 PM
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,229
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by tanith
can anyone tell me what happens after laser surgery.. do your eyes continue to deteriorate as before the op so that in a while you again need glasses or is this op a fix that works forever more...?
|
I had mine done in 2001 at Ultralase. My vision before that was -4.50.The op was fine, post-op no probs - fantastic vision. Within 3 years I noticed things were not so sharp and got glasses for driving with a low prescription of -.75. My sight has now weakened to around -1.5 so need specs for cinema and telly. My optician says this is not unusual but it is unlikely I will ever get as short-sighted as I was originally. I have never been back to Ultralase cos I don't think they'd be interested. I am now 51, I can still read without reading glasses which is a big advantage I suppose. I don't regret having Lasik I'm just a bit disappointed at how quickly I deteriorated. My eyes are slightly dry which does add to the problem and of course drops don't last very long. For everyday use walking around I really am at the point where I would be more comfy wearing my specs.
I think I have just been unlucky.
|
|
|
|
|
26-02-2007, 1:57 PM
|
|
MoneySaving Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Hunbot
I've just had a first consultation for Lasik (wavefront) & have been quoted £1600 per eye, I'm going to have a further consultation with Optical Express next week to make a comparison. My prescription is -5.00 for both eyes.
|
Sounds expensive to me. I read that someone in here did his eyes in Turkey and if you want the best possible treatment and dont want to be ruined, then this might be something for you: http://www.perfektsyn.se/eng/prices_services.html |
|
|
|
|
27-02-2007, 12:42 PM
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 39
|
I looked into it a couple of years ago and my GP said "ask yourself the question if the treatment is so good why do most Opticians and Opthamologists still wear glasses" Laser surgery involves the permanent removal of a layer of cells and needs to be repeated every few years ( this is not commonly advertised ) . Contact lenses if they cause irritation can be removed and a day or so later problem solved. Cost advantage lenses £120 a year or less Laser surgery £500 - £1500 every few years Is it really worth it ?
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Frequent Flyer UK For This Useful Post:
Show me >>
|
|
|
|
|
28-02-2007, 8:05 PM
|
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Scotland
Posts: 213
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by johnboyle007
I looked into it a couple of years ago and my GP said "ask yourself the question if the treatment is so good why do most Opticians and Opthamologists still wear glasses" Laser surgery involves the permanent removal of a layer of cells and needs to be repeated every few years ( this is not commonly advertised ) . Contact lenses if they cause irritation can be removed and a day or so later problem solved. Cost advantage lenses £120 a year or less Laser surgery £500 - £1500 every few years Is it really worth it ? |
lol - what a load of baloney. The whole point of LASIK/LASEK is that the top layer of cells - the epithelium - is temporarily moved to allow the LASER to treat (remove corneal tissue) a layer of the cornea called the stroma. The reason the stromal layer is treated is because this layer does NOT regenerate - unlike the epithelium (epithelial tissue covers the majority of the human anatomy). Therefore retreatment is NOT required as an effect of the LASER treatment. Certainly patients eyesight can change over the period of many years but it is completely unrelated to the surgery. In the rare cases where retreatments are required (due to the surgery not fully correcting vision), the secondary treatment is generally free (depending on the clinic ofcourse). As for your GP - I would suggest he may be a clown; many people are not actually suitable for refractive surgery due to many factors including corneal thickness, medical conditions, medications, etc.. I should add that I am fortunate enough to not require glasses/contacts/surgery and that even if I did I would be happy to put up with normal spex - I feel that in a lot of cases the motivation for surgery tends to be vanity.. (although certainly not all!)
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to cosmokramer2004 For This Useful Post:
Show me >>
|
|
|
|
|
28-02-2007, 8:25 PM
|
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,248
|
If you bid on laser surgery on Ebay on the Optimax auction and are outbid you should email the boss/owner on the auction page and ask for a "second chance offer" at your losing bid price......if your eyes are around max minus 4 each then you will save a lot of money......after around minus 5 it gets expensive and this is not within the auction bid price....
Political?....I dont do Political....well,not much!
|
|
|
|
|
28-02-2007, 8:32 PM
|
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,248
|
Please remember a major laser eye surgery company (not Optimax) offer treatment at 395 per eye.........this is for around minus 1 to 2 eyesight.....it goes up quite a lot if your eyes are 2 to 3 or 3 to 4 and a fortune if you eyes are minus 4 and above...........Optimax charge the one price only up to minus 5....but may recommend higher price surgery for minus 5 and above.
Political?....I dont do Political....well,not much!
|
|
|
|
|
28-02-2007, 11:27 PM
|
|
MoneySaving Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Billericay
Posts: 3
|
Quote: |
Originally Posted by antenna
Please remember a major laser eye surgery company (not Optimax) offer treatment at 395 per eye.........this is for around minus 1 to 2 eyesight.....it goes up quite a lot if your eyes are 2 to 3 or 3 to 4 and a fortune if you eyes are minus 4 and above...........Optimax charge the one price only up to minus 5....but may recommend higher price surgery for minus 5 and above.
|
Optical Express? AFAIK the 395 is for standard treatment up to -0.75 sphere. Dunno about hyperopes but I think possibly +0.50 for the 395. Wavefront is usually 400 extra per eye and IntraLase is 300 extra per eye. Significant astigmatism increases cost of standard treatment also.. -1.00 to -2.00 would probably cost 595 or 695 per eye. |
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to PowerBall For This Useful Post:
Show me >>
|
|
|
|
|
28-02-2007, 11:32 PM
|
|
MoneySaving Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 6
|
I had lasik surgery in July 2004, with excellent results. I paid £3,200. At the time it was a struggle to find that sort of cash, but my main priority was to find a clinic I trusted with my eyesight. Lasik is a wonderful thing, but make sure you do your homework - ask lots and lots of questions, ask for the C.V.'s of the surgeons.. visit the clinic several times before you decide to go ahead, and take responsibility for your own aftercare and the surgical risks involved. After all, you only have one pair of eyes. If anyone here is thinking about having lasik and wants to read my blow by blow account of the experience, you are welcome to visit my lasik Diary here: http://www.nurseowens.clara.net/lasik_diary.htm Good Luck! |
|
|
|
|
01-03-2007, 12:15 AM
|
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,424
|
IMPORTANT - make sure you check out this site as already mentioned - www.lasik-eyes.co.uk they are totally independant. I had my eyes wavefront nearly 2 years ago - Im 43 now and no deteriation. my advice after reading the above site visit a couple of places first
be completly comfortable with the surroundings and the staff.
print off questions found on the above site & ask them.
Ask about after care - this may be very important if you need it.
if your sight is bad check out the lasers some are better than others and remove less so they can correct far worse conditions upto - 8 or -10 (cost is higher though ) It is very,very important to have total trust in the team you choose. No I had no pain at all, could see right after surgery, (blurred slightly like water on eyes ) after removal of protective lens next day I could see perfectly. re - why do opticians wear glasses - opticians need to work on close up subjects so surgery would not help them, more hinder. An optician would rarely recommend laser surgery its doing them out of business. If anyone wants to know a blow by blow account of my surgery pm me and Ill fill you in. Minute for minute - I wrote my experiance down the day after surgery. I RECOMMEND - Be 100% certain you want this treatment - do not take it lightly,
Do your homework
Do not go for a clinic because its on TV
Check out aftercare
know your surgon - google him
Ask to see the laser & theatre/sugery room - this will put you at ease - its so much smaller than you think
Ask questions,questions,questions
be comfortable with people who will be performing the procedure
Price is not an issue - care and confidance are
Last edited by weaver; 01-03-2007 at 12:18 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
25-04-2007, 7:44 PM
|
|
MoneySaving Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
|
I've just had a first consultation for Lasik (wavefront) & have been quoted £1600 per eye, I'm going to have a further consultation with Optical Express next week to make a comparison. My prescription is -5.00 for both eyes. Just a quick update 25/4/07
I had the Lasik procedure with Wavefront & Intralase on Saturday 21/4/07 after careful consideration I chose Optical Express . It's early days I know but after my 24 hour check up I was informed my eyesight was two lines better than 20/20 in one & one line better than 20/20 in the other. I'd say that was pretty good for day one post surgery ! I have to say the procedure was painless although once the local anaesthetic wore off I was in some pain for a little while but that's forgotten about now and it's great to be able to see without specs or contact lenses which I've worn for 25 & 21 years respectively. |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 7:00 AM.
|
Top deals:
Week of 25 June 2014
Get all this & more in MoneySavingExpert's weekly email full of guides, vouchers and Deals GET THIS FREE WEEKLY EMAIL
Full of deals, guides & it's spam free |
No comments:
Post a Comment