Testimonials

Dympna Shaw

Being slightly over the age of twenty one, I was unsure as to whether I was suitable for eye laser surgery. I was short sighted all of my life and in recent years have had to use glasses for reading and the computer.

After making enquiries to a number of clinics I decided to attend Eye Laser Ireland for the free initial consultation to find out if I was a suitable candidate. During this consultation the Optometrist assessed my vision and proceeded to take some detailed measurements of my eyes to see if I was suitable. At this first visit the Optometrist told me I was suitable and was happy to answer any of my questions as silly as they might have been.

Having considered my options I decided to go for monovision, this is where your dominant eye is corrected fully for distance and the other eye corrected for near. Great time and patience was spent ensuring this was the correct option for me and I opted to have a contact lens trial to ensure I was happy with monovision.

On the day of surgery I woke with butterflies, however the relaxed atmosphere in the clinic the morning of surgery helped to put me at ease. The procedure on the day of surgery had been explained to me step by step so I was confident I was fully prepared. The procedure itself is painless you feel different levels of pressure at stages and your vision fluctuates a little, the surgeon and staff in theatre keep you fully informed and the atmosphere is relaxed. When the procedure was all over I could hardly believe treatment lasting seconds would mean I wouldn’t have to wear glasses again.

I was provided with an aftercare pack of eye drops and sunglasses were provided for my comfort. My vision at this point was hazy but I had no discomfort. After a final check up by the surgeon I was free to go home. I used drops hourly as prescribed and after a few hours I could already see an improvement in my vision. The following morning I was amazed to open my eyes; it was surreal to be able to see the clock which for so long was a jumbled blur of numbers and lines.

My experience of laser surgery with Eye Laser Ireland was a very positive one, I am both very grateful and impressed with my standard of care before and since my treatment. Every step was taken to ensure the correct treatment was selected for my individual requirements, and each staff member adopted a very professional yet personal approach where I felt very much assured that they had the patient’s best interests at heart.

Elizabeth McSorley

For anyone considering having eye laser surgery I would recommend that they make Eye Laser Surgery there first port of call. Surgical procedures are obviously quite daunting, however I found that many of the misconceptions and fears I had were quickly put to rest by the professional and knowledgeable staff at Eye Laser Ireland.

The care and attention you receive both before and after surgery are impeccable. The equipment and technology used is to the highest standards so you really feel assures and confident going in for the procedure.

Finally the results being the most important factor, the day following surgery I experienced very little discomfort, my vision when tested was better than 20/20, you can’t get any better than that.

Paul Burke

The alarm goes off and its time to rise, fumbling in the dark reaching for the glasses. Found them, ah that’s the time…grand, another few minutes left before its time to rise and shine.

This morning ritual is now a distant memory, and can be achieved with a blink of an eye lid thanks to laser eye surgery.

Of course this is not the only reason I got the laser eye surgery done, but it certainly is a great feeling to be able to see perfectly when one opens their eyes in the morning.

Before the surgery, I was wearing glasses for work (the life of an accountant!) and contacts lens socially in the evening and on the weekends. I do a lot of swimming and over the past two years have been entering triathlons. Prescription goggles are fine for the pool, but not ideal for triathlons when one changes from the open water to the bike in transition and need to be able to see. So I wore contact lens under normal goggles, which are an option as long as the goggles don’t leak! But during the cycle & running stages sweat from my forehead would get into my eyes causing discomfort. So following conversations with a few mates who took the laser option, I decided it was time for me.

A free consultation was booked at the Dundrum clinic. After this, you will know if you are suitable for the surgery – thankfully I was. Staff also talks you through the whole process at this stage and answer the string of questions you have, no matter how off the wall they may be i.e. ‘What if there is a power failure during surgery!’

The day of the operation came around fast. I got my right eye (the dominant one) done first followed by the left one. The valium tablet you are given before the operation certainly calmed any nerves I had. Chilling in the waiting area watching The March of the Penguins DVD on the flat screen mounted on the wall and wearing my glasses for the final time. I was relaxed, but not sure if was because of the valium or Morgan Freeman’s narration. Your time is called, a few eye drops in the eye and into surgery we go. Lying on your back, your eyelids are held back during the procedure to avoid blinking. With intralase technology there is no manual blade required, a flap is created on your cornea and the laser does its thing taking several seconds as the surgery staff countdown the remaining seconds. It was not painful for me but I can only describe the experience as surreal looking into the light and hearing the laser humming in the background noise. The whole procedure took ten minutes per eye. The vision is slightly hazy after the surgery, but over the next few hours the improvement is impressive. My eyes were sensitive to the external brightness post operation, but shades are provided. Back into the clinic early the next morning for the check up and all is fine. Two days of rest and I was back to work crunching the numbers.

Its now two months since my operation. My vision is better than 20/20 in both eyes. Back swimming after one month and it really has been a life changing experience. A big thank you to both the clinical and surgical staff that were flawless during it all. I look forward to scuba diving in the Maldives on my honeymoon next month. Having to wear glasses on the flight over certainly won’t be missed. As KT Tunstall sang this summer ‘Suddenly I see why the hell it means so much to me’ and she was right.

Lia Murphy: Today FM presenter

For years I had wanted to have eye laser surgery to correct my vision. I was tired of my glasses; not being able to wear nice shades, being able to see when I went swimming or even in the shower! I had a consultation at a different clinic a few years previously but because of my large pupils I was told I was not suitable for surgery.

This year I had a free consultation with Eye Laser Ireland and I was assured that with advances in technology and because they use the most up to date techniques that I would now be eligible. The surgery date was set and I couldn't wait. I didn't feel too worried because I knew I was in good hands and the procedure had been explained in great detail.

On the day of surgery I felt relaxed up to the last minute. Only when I was given my anaesthetic drops did I start to feel nervous because I realised it was finally going to happen. The procedure itself took about 30 minutes and the surgeon kept me updated about what he was doing. The anaesthetic drops meant I didn't feel anything except for the pressure of the eye clamp which kept my eyes open. It wasn't sore just pressure. My eyes did move a few times during surgery but the laser stopped automatically and re-started at the exact spot again. I was tense during the surgery as I think anyone would be but it was over so quickly.

Afterwards I was given a pair of shades to wear home. I couldn't really open my eyes for the next few hours as they were watering quite a lot so I took some over the counter painkillers and went to bed. I woke up in the early hours, opened my eyes and could see! My eyes had stopped watering and there was no pain just dryness. It was so brilliant to see without glasses.I went back to the clinic the next morning and could read 2 lines better than 20/20.

It took a few days for my vision to sharpen and settle down. I used prescribed drops for the next few weeks but now I don't use anything and my vision is great. It took awhile to get used to, I was reaching for my glasses in the morning and pushing them up on my nose out of habit. I recently went on holidays and it was so great not swapping between prescription shades and my glasses. It has made such a huge positive difference to my life.

Jo Hill

Having my eyes lasered was something I’d always been interested in. My prescription was minus 3.5 and I was totally fed up with wearing glasses and making sure I had ordered enough contact lenses. I just wanted to be able to wake up in the morning and see. I was totally intrigued by the procedure yet incredibly nervous about investigating it further. However, I decided to bite the bullet this year and went for a consultation at Eye Laser Ireland. After a few preliminary tests during the consultation I was told I was eligible for the procedure and, after talking thoroughly about all aspects of the surgery, I left the clinic feeling excited and confident about going ahead. A month before the surgery I went back to the clinic to have the Wavescan technology, which maps the individual characteristics of each eye - data which is used by the laser machine on surgery day. Then a few days before the surgery I began on the eye drop programme to prepare the eyes – I guess this is when the reality began to hit in! The night before I was feeling incredibly nervous and barely slept a wink but by the morning I was feeling ok and excited about putting on my glasses for the last time.

Once I arrived at the clinic I met the surgeon and we went through all the details again. Then I was taken up to a relaxation suite where my eyes were prepared with some drops and where I was made to feel completely comfortable and at ease. The surgery itself was fine, there was no pain and it was over so quickly, I was barely in the chair for 20 minutes. During the whole procedure the surgeon’s nurse was constantly checking that I was comfortable and aware of what was happening. After the surgery I went back to the relaxation room to rest for about 20 minutes before the surgeon checked my eyes and gave me the all clear!

Going home in the car was incredible – my eyes were a little sensitive to the light and I wore sunglasses, but I could read the registration plate number of the car ahead which was an incredible feeling. My eyelids were really heavy and it was quite hard to open my eyes fully but after about 3 hours sleep this was no problem and my vision continued to get clearer and clearer through the afternoon. By the next morning at the post op appointment I met with the surgeon again and was delighted to be able to read at better than 20:20 vision.

My eye laser surgery was three and a half months ago and I’m absolutely delighted with the results. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I adjusted to it so easily I’ve forgotten what it was ever like to wear glasses.

Benita McMahon

I can't express enough how delighted I am since having the Eye Laser procedure in June of this year. I was wearing glasses for 17 years and constantly disliked them. I hated the way they would fog up when you moved temperatures, how you would have to change from prescription glasses to prescription shades when the sun would come out, how you would need windscreen wipers when the rain started etc.

I had met many people who had eye laser done through Eye Laser Ireland in Cork and were really happy with the results, so when I heard they were opening their doors in Dublin, I arranged a consultation.  I met with Aoife who immediately put me at ease, did comprehensive tests on my eyes to ensure I was suitable, answered any questions I had and talked me through the entire procedure. This was all further reinforced with a follow up meeting with the surgeon.

The procedure itself was completely pain free and over before I knew it. That afternoon I could see perfectly and was back driving the next day. The treatment of care, professionalism and after care service, from everybody I met at Eye laser Ireland, was second to none. It most definitely has been life changing for me, giving me much more confidence and my vision now is better than it ever was when I was wearing glasses. I would recommend it to anyone.

Joyce Meade

Eye Laser treatment revolutionised my life. As an outdoor enthusiast and as a sports person the freedom, comfort and sharpness of vision, Eye Laser treatment has afforded me is priceless. The everyday inconvenience of contact lens, glasses and dry eyes, has been replaced by the miracle of perfect vision. The procedure and aftercare are first rate and I am busy recommending the same to anyone I meet.