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vickle
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![[*]](./images/oxygen/default_icon.gif) posted on 8-3-2004 at 05:59 PM |
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Optimax?
Hello
Has anyone had their eyes done at Optimax? I know that money doesn't neccesarily buy quality but they do seem a bit to good to be true as they
are so much cheaper than everywhere else! I'd appreciate some advice please.
Thanks
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Nosher
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Mood: Damn happy...
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| posted on 8-3-2004 at 07:47 PM |
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It's your eyes that are being treated here; one of, if not _THE_ major sense you have.....
....would you go to the cheapie surgeon?
I may be wrong, but I thought that Ultralase were the only company that have their results indepentantly audited.
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Julie McMurrough
Ultralase Forum Advisor
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| posted on 9-3-2004 at 10:15 AM |
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Dear Vickle
I have replied to you under your "Travelling" question elsewhere on the forum.
We are clearly in competition with Optimax, so I can only try to be objective!
Do your homework, go to several consultations and ask lots of questions. Check out the lasers very carefully, bearing in mind that some clinics use a
number of different types of laser. Ensure that the clinic has its outcomes independently audited and that it is a member of the Eye Laser
Association (see their website: www.eyelaserassociation.co.uk).
A further very important reason why Ultralase is not a provider of cheap eye treatment is that we invest heavily in our laser technology - for
example, all our clinics are currently being equipped with the state-of-the-art Z100 laser from Bausch & Lomb. Again, not all clinics are
prepared to (or able to) make investments on this scale.
Good luck with your decision.
Julie
Ultralase Customer Services
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vickle
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 posted on 9-3-2004 at 11:02 AM |
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thanks
Thanks Nosher - you're completely right and the thought of anything bad happening to my eyes is exactly why i've got millions of questions
to ask!
Thanks Julie for the link to the ELA and the advice. Am I right in thinking that Optimax isn't a member of the ELA as there seems to only be 4
names mentioned? Do all the members of the ELA use the same, latest technology?
thanks
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Julie McMurrough
Ultralase Forum Advisor
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| posted on 9-3-2004 at 05:08 PM |
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Hi Vickle
You're right that Optimax is not a member of the ELA.
The ELA members make up the majority of laser eye treatments performed in the UK and all sign up to the ELA Code of Practice. However, not all
members use the same lasers - Ultralase, for example, is the only clinic group in the UK to have installed the new Zyoptix Z100 system with Iris
Recognition.
Julie
Ultralase Customer Services
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rubarb
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| posted on 11-3-2004 at 01:54 AM |
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Surgeon Skills.....
Hi, new to the site and have been reading most of the threads. Hope this reply goes to the right place!!
I too am considering surgery (Lasik - but still to be decided). I agree that cost is not necessarily a factor, but as it happens have contacted a
surgeon direct, who it turns out happens to practice at Optimax (?!).
In fact I am due to meet him on Friday 12 March 2004, but to be consulted etc only by him (sort of like private patient - but not much difference in
costings).
I too agree that money is not the factor here its the quality of the surgeon that matters....
Surely a laser is only a good laser in the hands of an experienced operator?
I can't deny thought that I still have some concerns - hopefully after my consultation I will be better informed.
If anybody has any experience of dealing directly with the surgeon, rather than the 'company' I would be grateful for their feedback......
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Nikki
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 posted on 11-3-2004 at 07:37 PM |
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Optimax
I am booked to have treatment with Optimax on 15th April.
The more I read about having the treatment done the more confused I get. 
I am having epi-LASEK treatment on both eyes. I am also having my consultation on the same day as treatment.
I have been told that it is now OK to have both eyes done on the same day and that it is now OK to have the consultation and treatment on the same day
as long as there is a two hour gap between the two.
I'm so confused.
I have gone for epi-LASEK treatment as I don't like the idea of my eye being cut and I am told that there are more possible complications with
the LASIK treatment.
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Nikki
PS. Rhubarb It would be great if you could let me know how your consultation goes tomorrow and what sort of impression you get of Optimax as a
company.
[Edited on 11-3-2004 by Nikki]
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rubarb
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| posted on 11-3-2004 at 10:04 PM |
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Confusion re lasik / epi lasek & Optimax
Nikki - I understand your confusion!
Initially I thought ooh yes, Lasik, quick in and out - little flap, quick zap and off I go.... and thats what most people want - it is the convenience
and quickness, with minimal discomfort.
As I understand it - and I must admit I am still on a learning curve here - Lasik is good, but carries that slight extra risk due to the
'surgical' procedure of the flap part. Occasionally the flap can:
1)not be cut properly - this can self heal and a revisit be arranged - so all is not lost and it is not as bad as it seems [although the benefit ofgetting it all over and done with has just gone out of the window ]
2)sometimes flaps slip after surgery - hence the need for the protective patches - but again very rare and repairable none the less on the majority of
cases.
So they do not advise this type of surgery for highly active, sporty people - or those who's job could involve impact risk... due to the fact
that because there has been a cut - and therefore a weakness -
Hence the epi-lasek - is the one where they soften the eye with alcohol (maybe they should just give us the alcohol - it would make it all so much
easier!!) taking off the top layer and allowing the laser to work. Slightly longer recovery and more chance of discomfort........ so not ideal if you
want or need a quick recovery........ but ideal from a 'more safe' procedure because there is no knife used and therefore no scar
weakness.
So I can understand your confusion - the quick in and out sounds great, but carries that extra risk - the less intrusive alcohol solution just carries
longer recovery and possible more pain..............
There are also statistics regarding actual vision and night sight too but I think there are pros and cons to both ops., and therefore I will have to
trust the surgeon's advice on this one......
I won't deny that I have heard mixed (less favourable) reports about Optimax, yet if you read some of the threads on this forum you will see that
not everybody is over the moon with Ultralase either. The difference seems to me though is that with Optimax they think it is too cheap! and yet with
other companies the complaints are more to do with the actual surgery/results etc.
The surgeon I have contacted (not sure if allowed to post his web site name here) has his own statistics and describes each procedure etc.,(he
mentions about consultation and epi-lasek all in one day), and will converse with you via email to any queries you have.... and this was even before I
decided to book an appointment.....
So I will gladly let you know my opinion of Optimax surroundings etc., when I go, but bear in mind that I will be meeting the surgeon direct and
having my consultation with him............... no people in between...............
Finally, the ELA recommended in this thread earlier - although is a good bench mark to help with your research, do not be afraid to look elsewhere
too.
After all the ELA when all said and done, IN MY OPINION, is just a group of companies who have agreed a protocol of standards that must be attained to
join it - no harm in that - but just because other companies are not listed in it, does not necessarily mean that they have not achieved certain
standards, but may have just decided that they do not want to be a part of it.........
Again as I said earlier - a laser ..........
(forget fancy model names, because when you start looking at the specifications, they all have similar qualities - but I do conceed that Ultralase are
upgrading at present to a 'newer' version)
............. only becomes a good laser in the hands of the person who operates it.....
Hence my decision to go the route of dealing with a surgeon direct - thats not to say he will be the one for me, only time will tell......
Will let you know more once I have been. Good luck Nikki whatever you decide....
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Julie McMurrough
Ultralase Forum Advisor
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| posted on 12-3-2004 at 09:43 AM |
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Dear Nikki
The choice of provider is clearly yours - all each laser eye specialist can do is to present its case and then you decide.
Although you have chosen Optimax for your treatment, I would strongly urge you not to have treatment on the same day as your
consultation. Allow yourself plenty of time to make up your mind - it's a big decision to take and you shouldn't rush into it.
Two hours is simply not enough. Note that none of the other major providers of this service permits treatment on the same day as consultation for
this reason.
You will be given a lot of information at your consultation, which you should discuss with your family/friends and sleep on it before committing to
treatment. What's another 24 hours? Please bear this in mind.
Having said all that, I'd like to wish you luck with your treatment and hope that you will enjoy its benefits for many years to come.
Regards
Julie
Ultralase Customer Services
PS Rubarb - the protective eye shields that Ultralase issues to patients are for night-time wear for the first two weeks. These are largely
cautionary to prevent the patient from accidentally rubbing their eyes in their sleep; however, the corneal flap heals very quickly after LASIK and
within the first 24 hours is already firmly in place. It is highly unlikely for it to "slip", as you suggest, but accidental contact with
the eye during the first few days could possibly cause it to be dislodged.
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Nikki
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| posted on 12-3-2004 at 12:50 PM |
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Thanks Julie,
I have booked my appointment so far in advance so that I can cancel if needs be. I really need to think about this. I have taken what you say on board
and will think about it for the next few days.
Thanks
Nikki
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rubarb
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| posted on 13-3-2004 at 03:11 PM |
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nikki
have sent you a private U2U message!
PS only just read yours!! will send another with details.
For anybody else who is interested, I found Optimax to be OK., possibly they were not 'over fussy' - after all this is not a
'cheap' decision; even at their prices! - so a little bit of pampering and fussing over might have been quite nice in the reception area -
but thats just my opinion!
Other than that, they seem to know what they are talking about.............
Will let you know if I go ahead......
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Nosher
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| posted on 13-3-2004 at 08:51 PM |
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I had a look at the Optimax webpage and tried to find their forum....no sign of one.
The people that have had the treatment and it has been a success for them have posted in the 'Our Patients' bit, but there seems no
'forum' for customers to say anything negative about them.
Its just an observation, thats all.......
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rubarb
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| posted on 14-3-2004 at 07:06 PM |
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patient forums
Fair point, and it is probably true to say that Ultralase are the only providers of this forum facility - and I admit it has been an excellent source
of information/debate.
However Optimax is not alone in not providing the 'unhappy' responses, considering the number of other eye treatment providers out there on
the www!
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oneeye
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| posted on 24-2-2005 at 06:05 PM |
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New Optimax price offer
Hi,
You can take this either way I suppose, but the owner of optimax is selling spare slots in the
post christmas period on ebay with a Buy-it-now for £695 for both eyes (epi-lasek). There are upgrade options on top for lasik.
In theory this will be the same quality treatment as a full paying customer. Anyone recommend a optimax surgeon in Liverpool?
Jon
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JerryO
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| posted on 24-2-2005 at 06:40 PM |
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Although this is quite an enterprising approach from Optimax, I don’t think they use the same equipment as Ultralase, which may be why their prices
can be lower anyway. I would say choose carefully and don’t go based purely on price. I’ve seen everything on eBay now; from surgery to souls!
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insx
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| posted on 18-3-2005 at 02:20 PM |
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This is part of the problem - does anyone actually know what lasers Optimax use? They say that they are the same as more expensive clinics in many
cases but they won't tell you what they are.
The people on the phone don't seem to know what they are talking about either. I called to see if I might be suitable for epi-LASEK (as it says I
should on their website) but they couldn't tell me. They said someone would call me back but no-one did.
The reason I have not had laser eye treatment is simply this. I cannot justify spending £2,000 for something that I can get for £600 but I won't
pay £600 when I suspect that the £2000 provider offers a better service and is more open about their results and equipment.
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JerryO
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| posted on 18-3-2005 at 03:44 PM |
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Hi, insx,
You’ve made two good points:
| Quote: | | I cannot
justify spending £2,000 for something that I can get for £600 |
Quite simply, you can’t get the same thing for £600. It’s different equipment and a different approach as far as I can tell so they don’t
compare.
| Quote: | | I
won't pay £600 when I suspect that the £2000 provider offers a better service and is more open about their results and equipment.
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You said it Optimax have not invested in the ‘latest’ equipment and don’t offer
the same service.
The reason I waited until I was 41 to have my eyes sorted was so that I could be absolutely sure that I was minimising the risk factors. I was right
and, believe it or not, for the first time in my life I am now able to set a career target to do something that I’ve actually always wanted to do (and
have always been excluded from because of my eyesight) rather than drifting in and out of things the way I have for 23 years. Chose well. I am a
little biased with my new 6/4 vision but what can I say?
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Robin Jones
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| posted on 18-3-2005 at 03:57 PM |
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Hello Insx
If you let me know your prescription (either on the forum here or via a U2U message - click on the green button at the bottom of this message), I will
be able to give you a rough indication of whether you might be suitable for LASEK treatment. We can only tell you for certain at consultation, but
these are free of charge at Ultralase.
With regards to lasers, it's important to remember that not all lasers are the same.
Optimax primarily uses Nidek lasers of differing ages and specifications, only one of which (we understand) is wavefront-enabled. We also believe
that they have a small number of Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217C lasers, which are two generations removed from the latest Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix
Z100 wavefront lasers used at Ultralase.
Ultralase has always invested in what we believe to be the most up-to-date and effective lasers available. The Z100 wavefront system incorporates
iris recognition, tissue-sparing capability and multi-dimensional eye-trackers - designed specifically for safety and accuracy. No other laser system
in the UK can offer these benefits. Furthermore, the Z100 is installed at all 12 Ultralase clinics.
For many prescriptions, wavefront is independently proven to offer better vision - not only in terms of acuity (i.e. how far down the eye-test chart
you can read), but also vision at night and in poor light conditions. It is for this reason that wavefront treatments are fast becoming the new
standard in laser eye treatment.
Ultimately, it is your decision as to whom to trust with performing your laser eye treatment. Ultralase has never performed cheap eye surgery,
preferring to invest more in laser technology and in the quality of our service. Our advice would be to shop around - attend consultations at various
different providers and then make your mind up.
Hope that helps,
Robin
Robin Jones, Ultralase Forum Manager
Clinic Adviceline: 0800 096 2070
FREE consultations may be booked by calling freephone 0808 144 20 20
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Katrina
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| posted on 18-3-2005 at 04:07 PM |
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| Quote: | | I am now
able to set a career target to do something that I’ve actually always wanted to do (and have always been excluded from because of my eyesight) rather
than drifting in and out of things the way I have for 23 years. |
I'm intrigued....what do you plan to do with your new vision?
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JerryO
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| posted on 18-3-2005 at 05:03 PM |
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Hi, Katrina,
I wasn't suggesting that I've not been happy all this time, of course, but I have never before been in the position where I could apply to
join the police!!
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insx
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| posted on 18-3-2005 at 10:24 PM |
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If wavefront guided treatment is becoming the standard, can we expect it to not cost 50% more any time soon?
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Katrina
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| posted on 19-3-2005 at 12:33 PM |
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JerryO
It sounds like this really has been life changing experience. Good Luck.
K.
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loola
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| posted on 21-3-2005 at 09:32 PM |
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Re: Optimax. Personally I had my eyes done at Ultralase, but I do know people who have had it done at Optimax, and are happy with the results.
However, a couple of people have mentioned that the staff at Optimax are generally not very helpful. When my friend asked an Optimax surgeon about
the risks - he actually laughed at her! However minimal risks are, they still exist!
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kate 1000
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 posted on 22-3-2005 at 08:21 PM |
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optimax
hi out there im sorry but i had my treatment at optimax on the 14.03.2005 my prescription was -2.00 in both eyes and minor astigmatism in one eye i
had epi lasik or lasek god its all so confusing. i have come onto this forum because i want to talk about this and did not find it until after my
treatment. I am very pleased with the results but my vision is not yet stable(a bit blurry in the astig eye.) I guess its just taking longer to heal.
I am driving and no night time probs. Do your research very thoroughly before you go ahead and dont expect your eyes to be perfect for a while after
treatment and be kind to them they have been through some trauma afterall.
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kate 1000
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| posted on 22-3-2005 at 08:27 PM |
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optimax
I agree with the member who said Optimax staff were rather dismissive but their surgeons are all as good as the next at the end of the day its up to
you to make sure you are clear about everything before going ahead. the only thing i wanted to know from them was were my pupils very large and could
i expect a good result. basically your on your own out there. its up to you after all ! Personally I dont think its for everyone.
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