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Laser eye treatment
Some advice please. Thinking of having my eyes done, but not sure where is the best place. Ultralase seem to be charging �995 per eye when Optical Express offer it for �395 per eye??? Also is there a risk that it could damage your eyes instead of make them better??
Any people who have had it done your experiences please?
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No best answer has yet been selected by claireybear. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Every time the question of having laser eye surgery arises, someone invariably says: "It's great!...You should have it done." Often, this answer also suggests that opticians will advise you against it because they have everything to gain financially from continuing to sell you spectacles or lenses.
Listen to NICE, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Britain's watchdog for such procedures. Their report of 15/12/04 concludes that laser eye-treatment (quote) "does not justify its widespread use...because of concerns for its long-term safety for patients."
The Medical Defence Union, the major insurer for doctors, reports that the number of claims against laser eye-clinics has doubled in six years.
In addition, the American Journal of Ophthalmology claims that problems appear in something like one in ten cases rather than one in a thousand, as its proponents suggest.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists suggests: "Severe loss of vision is very unusual, but some patients could require corneal surgery or hard contact lenses to restore vision." (Are you prepared to be one of the "some patients"?
Even �Which', the Consumers Association magazine in Britain, warned people that they were literally (quote) "gambling with their sight."
The woman who formed the �Lasermyeye' pressure group now suffers from double vision and a loss of night vision...she can no longer drive. Other people have suffered worsening of sight in other ways.
Experts are particularly concerned about the lasting results over a period of many years caused by the surgical thinning of the cornea.
Well, there you have it. If you think the doubts expressed above are just so much hot air, then go ahead and "gamble your sight". I wish you luck if you go ahead!
I do know of someone who has sufferred irreversable damage to their eye following eye laser surgery. Granted it was through a freak accident - their eye was accidentally hit whilst it was still healing, however it just shows how easy it can be damamged.
One of the things I did hear about laser eye surgery, is that you do suffer from 'dazzle' at night. This is where artificial light will appear star-like and you are more likely to be dazzled by them if driving. It is because of this reason, many police services will not consider recruiting anyone who has had laser eye surgery.
However, saying that, I have also heard some very good things about it and of some happy people as a result.
If i was going to get it done i'd do it by the most expensive option. Ultralase have the latest equipment. Never pick the cheapest for something as important as this. You want the best for your eyes!
Best thing to do is make an appointment and they'll discuss everything with you including the benefits and risks.