Patient Testimonial - July 2009

I have suffered with poor eye - sight since childhood and in my late forties found myself with a minus 16 prescription troublesome contact lenses and no hope. For me wearing glasses full time was not an option as they were thick and heavy and I hated the way I looked in them. One thing that does stick in my mind is, three weeks before one Xmas I developed a corneal ulcer and wearing my contact lenses was not an option, as I wouldn't go out in my glasses I was confined to the house for two weeks. Then I developed dry eyes and wearing contact lenses was becoming more and more of a problem. I was constantly using eye drops, rewetting my lenses and sometimes they were so uncomfortable I couldn't bear them in my eyes. I went to my GP and asked to be referred to an eye specialist where I was told that I had a problem with my tears and that I shouldn't be wearing my contact lenses as long as I was doing each day. At that point I felt my world had ended. I asked if I could have laser treatment and was told because of my prescription it would not be possible. However he did advise me that there was a relatively new procedure called a clear lens exchange but he didn't know a lot about it.

I then saw an article in my local newspaper for iSIGHT Clinics and decided to contact them. The person I spoke to said I was very welcome to go along and have a chat with a nurse.  I spent about 1 hour there and the nurse explained that because of my complex prescription laser treatment was not an option but I could consider a clear lens exchange and briefly explained what the procedure involved. I couldn't believe my luck and booked an appointment with the surgeon.

At my first consultation with the surgeon he explained the procedure to me and said that before I made my decision I could have as much chair time as I felt I needed. I recall him saying that the amount of chair time is the difference between a good and bad surgeon and played an important part in the decision making process. I lost count of how many times I went to talk to him, each time going armed with more questions. I think it quickly became apparent that I was looking for nothing less than a miracle. He told me that my expectations of the operation were far too high and I needed to manage them. My ultimate goal was to be glasses free; the surgeon told me that with my prescription he could not guarantee that this would be the case. He said that he would not over promise and under deliver. After I had been to see him a few times he said that I should take some time out to decide if the operation was what I really wanted. 

The hardest part was having to make the decision to go ahead, although I had lots of support from family, friends and the clinic the decision was ultimately mine.

I do feel that by repeatedly talking things through with the surgeon it allowed me to make an informed choice. On some occasions I took my Mum along, not only for moral support but so somebody close to me knew what was involved and could remind me of what had been said. This was never a problem for the surgeon.  

 If anybody asks me did I make the right decision, would I do it all again, did I choose the right clinic? My answer is always the same -100% yes.

 I would be lying if I said that everything about my vision is 100% perfect but then I have gone from having a - 16 prescription to being glasses free so maybe that is my miracle.

 I consider myself very fortunate to have found a clinic where the staff is professional, friendly and more than anything extremely patient.  

The decision to have the procedure is one that only the individual can make, would I do it all over again, absolutely.

L G