What our Patients say

I am booked in for my initial consultation on 10th February 2003 and if all goes well, I shall book in for the operation as soon as I can be fitted in. I am just a bit concerned about the fact that the person who took my call, was abrupt, unfriendly and not at all helpful. She didn’t even want to do any more than take my number initially and have someone call me back. Then she seemed to change her mind and said ‘wait a moment’ – yelled down the line in an irritated fashion. She was even shorter with me as she made me repeat everything I said, right down to my postcode! Having read the rave reviews on this site, I am hoping that mine was a one off so far as dodgy encounters go, with the staff of Accuvision. Hope the rest of the set up is more professional though. I shall post again when I have seen them and made up my mind about the operation.

I had Wavefront LASIK done 10 days ago at Accuvision. I did a lot of research in advance – I have a PhD in engineering, so probably had a slightly keener interest in the technology. I looked into Wavefront LASIK (which gives a custom correction based on your complete optical system) over a year ago, and decided it was too much in its infancy. However, now the technique seems to be well understood and the results much more predictable than in the early days.

Wavefront is available elsewhere (Sunderland Eye Clinic or Site for Eyes, Manchester Centre for Vision) but the kit differs greatly, and the devil is in the detail. The two key things are the laser that Accuvision use (visit ww.ophthalmic.lumenis.com) and the Tscherning aberrometer. These are the most advanced for various reasons and i believed are at the point of diminishing returns in terms of detectable effect on the outcome. The laser spot is small, the eye tracking is fast, the treated area is large (so you don’t get a blurred image bypassing the treated area when your pupil is dilated creating a halo) etc. etc.

Added to all that, the treatment is friendly, sympathetic, patient and comfortable. The place is run also by the proprietor Darius who takes a tremendous interest in the treatment of every individual. As a result you do feel treated individually, rather than being on a production line.

The operation is undoubtedly rather nervewracking. Mild pain/discomfort, but better than having a filling done, and over quicker. Once the first eye is done, you will not be worried about the second.

My corrected vision was 6:3 in my left and 6:4 in my right so I had high expectations. Post treatment, i already have 6:3 in both eyes although with a slight but reducing fluctuation in the left. Contrast sensitivity is fantastic – shiny objects appear brilliant. Night vision is excellent now though i had a lot of glare for the first week. No halos at all. Stars are bright pinpricks of light rather than spiky smudges.

As for the people who write negative stuff about LASIK, well sure there were lots of circumspect outcomes in the early days but i think this technology has come of age. Besides, is it more likely that i will have problems in the future with my LASIK legacy or complications from 20 more years of continued contact lens wear?

As for the cost, yes it’s more expensive, but whatever you do don’t make a decision based on cost. If you can’t afford to do it properly then don’t do it at all – these are your eyes.

I had my surgery on Friday, 6 December. I had been refused last year by Boots Clinic but after hearing about Accuvision, I decided to give it one more go. I was so convinced they would say no, that had only told a couple of people that I was going.
All of the staff at the clinic made me feel so at ease. I was told that I had a high prescription, astigmatism and large pupils!! Nothing new there apart from the pupils bit. Just the challenge the surgeon was looking for. They were convinced they could significantly improve my vision.
That was it – I entrusted my eyesight to these people that I had only just met. And I had to pay for it. And it is worth every penny. The flap on the left eye dried very quickly and I needed a contact lens on overnight. That was removed the day after. I was very apprehensive for the first 24 hours with the ‘expected’ fluctuations in sight but after 6pm on Saturday the vision just cleared. The night vision took about a week to settle and each day there was significant improvement. The 10-day check up went very well with 20/20 in both eyes.
I can see better than I ever could with glasses and I am so grateful to the team at Accuvision. What a fantastic Christmas present! I want to say a special thank you to Nick for keeping an eye on my Mum who watched the whole thing! THANK YOU

I had my AccuWave Lasik treatment last Wednesday (15th) and I had high expectations, which I’m glad to say have not been let down! The day after the procedure I could read all the 20/20 lines on the chart and my vision seems to be getting clearer and clearer every day.

It cost £3000 for both eyes, I think the price of the procedure depends of the strength of prescription and complexity of the operation (sensitive eyes, thin corneas etc).

The procedure is not exactly pleasant but well worth it, I found it really quite uncomfortable but no pain and I would do it again so it can’t have been that bad!

I’m quite a young Lasik patient at 21, neither did I have a high prescription (it was nearly entirely astigmatism) but I’ve been wearing glasses and contacts since I was 5 or 6 this was the first time I ever went to the opticians, as far as I know I might never have had perfect vision.

I know the procedure costs more than average but it’s the only technology of it’s kind in the UK and I think that’s worth paying for! I am happy to reply to emails if anyone wants to hear more about the whole thing!

Liz 🙂

I had my surgery already on 09October last year. My vision was not very bad (ca -1.75 on both eyes, but with astigmatism 2.25 on the left eye), but I had to wear glasses at all times( I first was prescribed glasses at age 14 and at the time of my operation I was 38). After researching the internet, I decided to go to Accuvision-both because of the good ratings they received by patients, but I also had a look on their website which I found very informative. I found that they describe everything in detail and that they mention every possible aspect. The first consultation was very good and detailed, it took more than one hour. During the operation, the team was very helpful, the nurse even held my hand which was good as even with all that information ( my mum had even read somewhere that laser-eye-surgery was 99% successful) I was very scared!! The operation, as predicted, did not hurt at all. I could go home after surgery. I felt a bit uncomfortable for ca 3-4hours, then I opened my eyes- and I could see so well! It actually took me a few weeks to NOT look for my spectacles in the morning, and I had to remind myself constantly that I don’t need to wear them. In fact, I can see better now than I used to with spectacles. I am very glad that I did it, and I would advise everybody who considers the operation, not to wait too long. I have noticed that IN GENERAL the prices for operations have gone up recently. I believe that you will not regret taking that step.

I am going to reiterate what 99% of people have already said about the team at Accuvision. As a health care professional myself, I know the difference between bad, good and excellent care and what I experienced last Tuesday at my consultation was superb. All the team certainly know what they are talking about, they explain everything thoroughly and without pressure, it is one of the best examples of informed consent I have experienced. Unlike many other people with comments on this site I do not have a strong prescription (-1.25 both eyes) or high astigmatism. I still however have to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time if I want to see clearly so it is just as much an issue whether you have a high or low prescription! I trawled the internet for hours upon hours doing my research on laser eye surgery and decided that Accuvision sounded the best in terms of professionalism, technology, results and customer feedback. I didn’t even bother having a consultation with any other clinics. As said before a million times, you cannot put a price on your eyesight. During my consultation, it was discovered that even though my prescription was very straightforward, I had very poor night and low light vision (which could partly explain my deep hatred of working night shifts!!) . If I was treated with normal LASIK treatment, I could end up with poor clarity of vision even though I may not need glasses/contacts. By using Wavefront guided lasik, the team at Accuvision are confident they will improve all aspects of my vision. After what I heard Vik and the team explain, there is no way I would even contemplate having lasix conventionally.
As for the price…..I thought that due to my mild prescription the price wouldn’t be too much more than prices quoted at other clinics, but because I still require the personalised Wavefront guided treatment it will still cost me £3600..now I was a little shocked at that, especially on my poor nurses wage!, however its the only way to go for me.

I have booked in for treatment next week (22nd) and am confident I will be receiving the best treatment from a team who really know what they’re talking about.
I shall update you following surgery next week!!!

Claire

Booked into Accuvision for an assessment next Monday the 20th Jan. Chose these as they have the best rating, have Wavefront Technology and look a proffesional set up. Is anyone aware of other clinics that offer Wavefront? as Accuvision look expensive, although I am prepared to pay for the best treatment. I believe that the Birkdale Clinic may do, any experiences here?

I had bilateral Wavefront LASIK almost a week ago. Surgeon: William Ayliffe, with input from Daryus. Prescription: – 2.75 / -3.00 + astigmatism.

I did find it very painful, as I felt the first part of each flap being cut. However, this happened so quickly that I had no time to flinch! The whole thing is quite fascinating to look back on actually!

With no sedative administered, I also found it VERY hard to stop myself from freaking out! I kept forgetting to breathe, in an effort to keep still! However, I’m sure Accuvision have a good reason for not giving any Valium – maybe it affects the eye muscles?

After the surgery the surgeon said that one eye would heal more quickly if he rinsed under the flap once more. This was duly done, and my eyes were checked twice before I left. I’m sure this extra care would not happen at every clinic.

The discomfort afterwards (‘sand in the eye’) lasted about 4 hours – as did the mother of all headaches after the stress of it all.

But, it was DEFINITELY worth every second of discomfort.
My follow-up check (with Vik AND Daryus) was only 16 hours after the op, and I was told my sight was already above legal driving standard. It has been slowly improving ever since. Outside, it’s an absolute joy. I can see so much detail that I could never see with glasses. At work (in a poorly lit office with artificial light) it’s quite wobbly, and sifting through my emails is quite hard work at the moment. However, I have absolute confidence in Accuvision and I’m sure this will improve with time.

Before surgery I told myself I would be patient, give it time and avoid post-LASIK paranoia about my sight… any thoughts, anyone?

I do have moderate irritation in one eye now, which I had before the surgery anyway . I was told by Mr Ayliffe that it was a group of cysts, and no obstacle to surgery. I have brought my 1-week check-up forward a little to have it checked out – this was arranged at very short notice.

All in all, Accuvision are FANTASTIC! It’s worth the extra money to have such a quality service from people who really care and who have so much knowledge and experience.

Thanks to ALL at Accuvision!

Yet another very happy customer.

I had lasik treatment on both eyes in October 2002. My aim was to achieve good eyesight with out the need for glasses. I am 59 years and my problem was reading and wearing varifocals. I experimented with contact lenses and monovision for about two years before I decided that Lasik and Monovision were the answers. I investigated several clinics and found that Accuvision, although the most expensive, were by far the most reassuring and honest sounding.
My results have been fantastic in that I had my flying licence back within four months and have just today had an independent optometrists examination with the finding that my vision is stable and remains 20/10. He also says that the flaps were the best that he had seen to date.