DO YOU LIKE THE RESULT OF UR LASIK SURGERY?

Hi, hope that if u read this blog and u have done the surgery, can u guys share the results of it? Can you kindly comment on anything concerning the results of y0ur surgery? It can be the good, bad, share ur experience, tips and recommendation. Feel free to share ur thoughts.

Ok. I shall comment first =)

My result at optimax JB branch is good. I choose custom lasik. Left side astigmatism 25 and right power is zero. I had the astig due to over correction. I can see very clearly though there is presence of astigmatism. Its amazing that after surgery, i slept and when i wake up i can see perfectly. Beginning i have slight dry eyes and my eyes hurt when i see bright light. But now 11 months later, both this effects are minimal. People at the centre were very helpfull and they answer my question patiently. However though the skill of doctor are good considering my results, the doctor lack a certain tender loving care. Was quite scared during surgery as part of the time i could not see what is being done while my eyes was being lasered and i freak out a little. And cos i could not see i did not realize that i start to "fall asleep"!

6 months check up~last and final check up

I had my six months check up on February. The result of my eyes is that left astigmatism 25 and right power is zero. Apparently my left eye has astigmatism due to over correction. But i am ok with that as I can see very clearly. Some people ask me especially lovely ppl who read my blog, "wont u want it perfect since u pay a lot for it?" Well just so you know, lasik does not guarantee a perfect results and u can see this in Optimax term and condition. Further you will not know the result of eye surgery until u done it. But before u decide to go u can weight the "possible" side effect u could have. Eg if ur tear duct is dry then u will have higher risk of getting dry eyes and if ur pupil is long then u can get halos and starburst. The risk of halos and starburst can be reduce by opting for customize treatment. Gentle reminder to all, everyone will get different result on the lasik.

Now the dry eyes effect that i had is practically gone. My eyes does not hurt so much when i see bright light.

Some rather good website that i found:
Pictures and info about halos and starburst:
Lasik Halo and Starburst: Pupil size importance

Risk, benefit of customer lasik, procedure, halos and starburst:
docshop.com

And with that, I just finish my check up and i have to follow up by going back to yearly check up! Wah feel like i just graduate liao~~ lol~~

3 month check up~ laser eye optimax

I just had my 3 month check up~ look like my result are quite stable. My left side is astig 25 while right side power is 0~!! Which means perfect vision. Haha i am happy with the result... hope my power will remain in that range...

I ask my optometrist a few question about my eyes. some q concern after surgery effect and some question applies to everyone in general.

1. Sometimes my eyes are dry after surgery. Why is that so?
- When the flap on the eyes are cut, some of the tissue are remove thus making the eyes dry. Dry eyes also depend what activity u are doing. If u are in air cond room for many hours then ur eye will definitely be dry. If u watch tv/pc/reading then ur eyes can be dry because we stare at the object and blink less when we do this activity. When we blink less then the eyes cannot produce tears to lubricate. So dont forget to blink or remember take break to avoid short sight too.

2. After surgery, i am more sensitive to the light. Why is that so?
- Contact lenses and spectacle has a 70% rate of UV protection. This is why ppl who wear them are not prone to be sensitive to the light compare with ppl who dont wear them. So after surgery its best to wear sunglasses. This also applies to ppl who have good eye sight and dont wear glasses. Sunglasses function as a prevention of cataract.

3.What kind of sunglasses should i get?
This question are answered by my brother in law~ he say that when we wear sunglasses our pupil are enlarge. So they absorb more light compare to not wearing. Therefore its best to get sunglasses that fully cover ur eye because light come from every direction. If ur sunglasses has hole (usually located at the side or bottom) then light can enter.

4.Can i lie down on bed and read with a reading light at the back?
No! You will strain ur eyes if u lie down and read. This is cos when u lie down u tend to put the book near ur face, ur eyes will go to the centre and add strain to it. So even if u have a light at the back also u will get short sight. That is apparently how i get most of my short sight! The correct method is to sit up and put the book on the table. Your eyes will look downward and there is a good distance for the eyes to be comfortable with.

5. Why cant i watch tv/comp in the dark?
This will add strain to the eyes. Because the light come from the center and all other place are dark. This add strain to the eyes. When in dark ur pupil will enlarge but a lot of light will enter from the centre. This can make u short sight fast.

6. How did i get astigmatism?
Astigmatism can be because of pressure on the eye. If u have swollen eye lid, which add pressure to the eye, then u can get higher astig which is temporary. But i still not clear on this topic~~ if u noe then tell me yeah :D

Confusing treatment term at Optimax and Vista (Malaysia)

When i first look at the treatment for both Optimax and Vista centre, i was a bit confuse. i ask myself, "why both centre have different terms in their treatment"? I was confuse and decide to ring optimax toll free to clarify. The gist is that both offer same treatment but different term. I belief its due to different machine. Anyway i hope below will help people to understand better. Below explanation are limited to myopia and astigmatism treatment only.

Optimax - Vista
Lasik - Blade+std
Intralasik -Intra+std, Intra+std plus, Intra+adv (more or less)
Custom - Intralasik Superlasik Intra+vis4
Lasek - ??

Many people try to choose the treatment before hand. In actuality it is the treatment that chooses u and not u choosing the treatment. You will noe which treatment to go for after ur eye check up. Usually people with myopia and astigmatism will fall under 2 category of treatment. If ur cornea is thick then u will be suitable for lasik, intralasik and custom intra lasik. On the other hand if ur cornea is thin then there is only one option that is lasek.

If there is any inaccuracy to my info pls tell me. I look around for the equality of lasek in Vista web page but could not find it. If u noe must tell yeah~~ :D

Who are not suitable for Laser eye treatment?

The following groups are not recommended for Lasik surgery:

Pregnant or nursing women. The refraction of the eye is changing in this period, making the surgery ineffective or inaccurate. However, once a woman is no longer nursing, she may be a candidate for surgery.

Under 21 years of age. The body is, for the most part, undergoing radical changes. The eye is one of the most rapidly developing parts of the body. It is unwise to have the surgery, as your vision, regardless of your condition, may improve or worsen, thus requiring further surgery.

• Previous eye surgery (cataract, other corrective surgery.
• Keratonconus, a condition that alters the shape of the cornea.
• Corneal scratching or infection.
• Herpes simplex or herpes zoster that has affected your eyes.
• Glaucoma or high blood pressure in the eye.
• Inflammation of the eye or eyelid and crusting of the eyelashes.
• Injury to the central cornea.
• The consumption of any medication with ocular side effects, such as isotretinoin or amiodarone hydrochloride.
• Severe allergies.
• Any medication that causes the healing process to slow or halt, such as for: diabetes, autoimmune or immunodeficiency diseases, retinoic acid, or steroids.
• Unstable or worsening refractive errors

Info taken from New Vision Lasik

Temporary/permanent Laser Eye surgery side effect

Many people ask me what is the laser eye side effect. For me i am lucky that i have suffered no side effect.

Below is some side effect that are taken from a website. Overall the risk are minimal. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, mild complications occur in 3-4% of patients. However, less than 1% experience any significant damage, and everyday, steps are being taken to lessen this number. No instances of blindness have ever been reported as resultant from Lasik surgery.

Its best that u research more on side effect as u will gain a clearer info.

Possible side effects and complications
Possible side effects and complications of laser eye surgery include:

• Treatment not successful - this may be due to over treatment or under treatment. You may need a second ‘enhancement’ procedure.
• Dry eyes - you may need to use lubricating eye drops.
• Delayed healing - the superficial layer of the cornea or the flap (if LASIK procedure was used) may not heal properly. Follow-up treatment may be required.
• Infection - treatment with antibiotics may be necessary.
• Superficial scarring - this will require a further procedure to fix.
• Excessive thinning of the cornea - this may lead to a return of sight problems and require the use of contact lenses or further surgery.
• Sensitive eyes - some people report increased sensitivity to glare, which can make driving dangerous.
• Blurred vision - ‘halos’ or rings of fuzzy light may result from the treatment.

Info taken from Better Health Channel

Part 5: 1 month check up at Optimax (Malaysia)

Just had my 1 month check up. the result is that my left side astigmatism is -25 and my right side is short sight -25. Looks like it fluctuate from my 1 week check up result.

My flap is also healing nicely

Part 4: My 1 week eye check up at Optimax (Malaysia)

i finally know the power of my eyes after 1 week doing the treatment at Optimax ~~well about time~!

Right side: -0.25 (hope i write correct. its 25) with slight astig
Left side: its ZERO@!

Some more i experience no side effect. no drying, healthy and no infection, no problems, no halos or starburst...

It a really great feeling :D

Promotion at Optimax Laser Eye Specialist Centre (Malaysia)

PROMOTION (subject to change)

Optimax have various promotion. Some ways u can cut budget is that
- Currently they have buy one free one for INTRA LASIK (2 friend do the same treatment). After discount is RM4k per pair of eyes (UP: RM5.6k in JB). One of their T&C is that the person must Malaysian with no lodging provided. (Update: When i went to my 3 month check up I check with the staff that this promo has ended. So keep a look out in case they have this promo again.)

- Referral program. Ask around if you already had friends doing the surgery. Your friend is entitled Rm200 reward. Can get the RM200 30 days later. If you do not know anyone who done it then you can contact me. I will pass back to u RM150 after 30days (Update: I use this program and got mine after 2-3 months. So its longer than the stipulated 30days in their advertisement). Leave your email at comment and i will contact you.

-If u do the usual treatment (Price after promotion) then you are entitle to free one night stay at hotel. This is more applicable to outstation patient and this is not stated anywhere. Have to inquire.

- If u did the surgery within same month of check up they will not charge the RM100 for check up. Alternatively you can fill in survey form in optimax website to be entitle for the RM50 for check up.

- They have student and government servant price but it applies to LASIK only (price less than RM4 for a pair of eyes). Rarely people choose lasik now because its the oldest technology and more risk of side effect. Either that its 15 percent off any package. This is not a usefull promotion as the promotion price for the general public is lower than 15 percent off.

-Pay by credit card. They have 0 percent interest payment (apply to malaysia credit card only).

-Most of the promotion are not found online. You have to go to their centre and read their pamphlets

Part 3: Laser eye surgery at Optimax (Malaysia)

I choose Custom intralasik. Pls note that each person heal/result varies.

BEFORE SURGERY

I am nervous as my surgery approaches but excited at the same time. Just after a few hours then i wont be half blind! I dont have to wear contact every time i make up or when i go to function. I also will not feel the headache of wearing specs and i do not have to buy anymore glasses or hunt for cheap solution and contact lense.

I have to be there 1 hour earlier to prepare for the surgery. During this one hour i was prep on wat to do and not to do. I learn that i must try not to move my eyes too much and to focus on the red light above me. I can still blink my eye but i must not fall asleep. I am surprise that they tell ppl not to fall asleep. I mean who will fall asleep while their eyes are being split open...?? But i soon learn better~

This will be the first time i see the doctor. Previously my check up are done by the optometrist. I feel slightly apprehensive as i have not consult with this doctor till the said day. I was not very impress with his communication skill because he look a bit kan chiong/not very ppl friendly. I mean he noe what he is doing but he look like he is rushing for time when i talk briefly with him. So there is not much communication between us. And i feel that he should talk more specifically on what will happen during the surgery instead of just briefing thru.

Next i have to change to the special cloths and my eyes are disinfect and eye drops are use to numb it.

DURING SURGERY

The first part is to laser out the cornea to create a flap. the second part is to laser the inner eyes. In the first process i freak out. I was told that there is no pain when they laser my eyes but i still feel slight pain and the disorienting feel of my flap being laser out. It feels like someone is cutting out the surface of the eye. It doesn't help that while they cut it, they suck ur eyeball like vacuum in the process.

Cutting of the flap (1st process): they ask u focus on red light, they plaster ur eye lid and insert a device to stop the eyes from closing (its rather uncomfortable). Then they take a round thing to suck ur eye ball like a vacuum cleaner (it seems that the lasik vacuum is stronger). Then they laser out around the tube. I was not told this will happen. I had read about it briefly in the internet but i forget about it and i start to panic. However i still try to remain as still as possible.

After they laser out the first flap, they push the flap to one side. At this point my panic increases because everything i see is in a extreme blur. I was told to focus on the red light but i find it hard to open my eyes. While the doctor laser my eyes he keep saying that i have fallen asleep (when u fall asleep ur eyes role to the back) but i did not feel i have fallen asleep. The feeling is really disorienting and i wish that the doctor told me specifically what will happen.

AFTER SURGERY
You will not be able to open ur eyes. I cant exactly describe it as pain but rather uncomfortable, disorienting and slight pain. Your tear duct will automatically flow. This time you must put on sunglasses cos even if u shut ur eye, ur eyes will still be sensitive to the light. It is best to have someone accompany u and drive u home (BIG TIP). I could not really open my eye and I have to be lead like blind person.

MY EYE SIGHT

After reaching home, I pop in the sleeping pill and pain killer then go to sleep. It will be a bit hard to sleep. After about 3 hours i wake up and everything is so clear~!! The feeling is really exhilarating. I guess the doctor is really good after all.

The next day I went for check up the optometrist say that I have perfect vision. Vision better than 6/6. But its not stabilize yet. Follow up i have to go for check up for 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month. If after 3month/6month i have heal completely then they will start counting the next check up 12 month later to entitle for the VISION FOR LIFE package (whereby if i get myopia again i can correct it for free. But i need to pay RM50 every year that i check)

TIP: During the surgery day, try booking later of the day. That way when u are done, u can avoid the sun. Pls try to get a sunglasses. To me whether its UV or not. It does not matter whether its cheap or expensive. Because even with sunglasses on, u will have a hard time opening ur eyes and u cannot drive. Go back home asap.

OVERALL
I THINK THAT TECHNOLOGY IS RATHER ADVANCE NOW. By choosing CUSTOM INTRALASIK I belief that I have minimize my risk. Off course there is still some risk involve but the probability is minimal. The doctor is season too (johor bahru, city square branch). He did 2000 eyes already and is at the shop 5 days a week. His name is Dr Yip. u can check his credentials in the website www.optimax.com. However it would help a lot if u read my experience above. He does have skill but he is definitely not a talker~~

Part 2: Check up at Optimax (Malaysia)

Check up is the first process in the laser eye treatment. Only after the check up u will noe which treatment is suitable for u. So there is no point choosing the treatment first. If u want to budget try budget according to their most expensive package. Many ppl relate the power of their eyes as a suitability factor for the treatment but actually there are other factors involve. Basically in the check up they look at power, thickness of cornea, pupil length, tear duct and any disease.

My eye power is -6.00, I have thick cornea and my pupil is 6.5 (mid-long). Therefore I am entitle for LASIK, INTRA LASIK (CONVENTIONAL), and CUSTOM INTRALASIK. I choose the custom one because my pupil is near the margin of long (their long is 6.6) and I want to avoid risk of permanent halos and starburst. They will check other things like glaucoma, illness and ur tear duct. Then they dilate ur pupil to look inside.

Next is counseling. They mainly explain to u the process, the side effect, risk and if u have question, ask them now. After they dilate ur pupil, u will feel like u have "reading glasses" so when u want to read Q from a paper (BIG TIP) its best u print it big font and remove specs. This way u can see

Part 1: Optimax vs Vista (Malaysia). Which one to choose?

I just had my eyes done in Optimax in July 2007 and I would like to share my experience. I choose CUSTOM INTRALASIK (newest technology at the moment). The price is stated in the website (www.optimax.com.my). The outcome is fantastic~! Immediately after the surgery I can see better than 6/6.

I did my homework between VISTA and OPTIMAX. I find that Optimax is better because for the same surgery, their price is cheaper by few thousand and their toll free number receptionist is patience and professional. I had zero knowledge in the laser eye then and i ask numerous question. Especially why Optimax and Vista's price are so different and which treatment is equal to the other since both use different term. They answer all with patience and they help me a lot.

On the other hand Vista receptionist is quiet rude. When i ask about the package she sounded quite impatient as if she is sleepy after lunch. Then when i ask what is the difference between ur package and the competitor she straight away say that "many patients cant make up their mind so u have to visit the centre to check." I feel turn off by her reply and decide to go to Optimax.

In term of pricing Optimax is cheaper. Eg Optimax custom intralasik is around 6.6k both eyes while Vista SuperLasik Intra+VISX is around Rm10k (i compared both bcos they uses wavefront tech). Further Vista's price discrimination is rather confusing. An essentially 3 treatment are divided into 6 types of pricing. The 3 main treatment is the "blade+std (VISTA)" = lasik (OPTIMAX), "Intra+std, Intra+std plus, Intra+adv" = IntraLasik (more or less) and the last one is "SuperLasik Intra+Visx" = Custom IntraLasik. Optimax pricing are more straight forward.

In term of experience Optimax is definitely more and it is the first centre to open in Malaysia.

In term of machine it seems Vista one is better. However both use same technology (wavefront) and same method. So i do not feel that is good justification for its more expensive package.

In terms of outlook of the centre, Vista one look better. It looks more cozy while Optimax one just look like its there a long time. This again i do not feel is an important assessment but I think if Optimax can upgrade then they will have more customer. Sometimes ppl do look at first impression.

In term of website, Vista's one look more professional and informative. At first impression i feel more comfortable with Vista because the website is my "first connection" but too bad the receptionist is rude and i do not know why their price are way higher.

The above is the reason i choose Optimax. Once i made up my mind I went to look at the centre in jb and book an appointment for check up. Hope this help would be go-er to decide where to do their eyes. However my assessment has limitation because i did not go for consultation in Vista. I went once and their centre are close on monday~!! Haha speak about fate~