Seeing is believing

“Having laser eye surgery has been the single biggest life-changing thing I’ve ever done – it’s completely transformed my life.

I was extremely short-sighted and I could barely see without my glasses. I’d wore contacts for 12 years but in 2022, I developed two sight-threatening corneal ulcers in my left eye within six months.

I was terrified that I was going to lose my sight. I was treated at St Paul’s Eye Unit and thankfully recovered, but I could never wear contacts again.

Laser eye surgery wasn’t something I wanted for aesthetic reasons, my only option was to wear glasses and it really impacted my life. From as young as I can remember I’ve needed glasses or contact lenses and I’ve always had to think about my sight. If I was going out for an evening, I’d have to take a spare pair of contacts because if one fell out, I’d be pretty much blind.

I work as a TV producer and I’m constantly meeting new people and it’s important that I feel confident, so I decided to have laser eye surgery. Because the team cared for me so brilliantly when I had sight-threatening ulcers, I chose St Paul’s Laser Vision for my private treatment.

I had consultations over a few months, I never felt nervous, apprehensive or pressed for a decision and every step was explained thoroughly. I had PRK with Dr Mohammad Ahmad which took just a few minutes. The whole team were wonderful, I can’t sing their praises enough.

Now, I’ve got 20/20 vision and no prescription at all. Waking up in the morning and being able to see clearly is the most remarkable thing. I can see the leaves on the trees, read screens from a distance in work - it’s incredible and it’s completely it changed my life.

St Paul’s have been unbelievable. They helped me recover during a really frightening part of my life and my private eye care journey was brilliant - I’m so grateful.”

Rosie Atkinson Wood, 28, London

“Without glasses or contacts lenses, I could only see colours and shapes, I couldn’t see facial expressions or any detail. My vision had been bad since age 12 and I’d been wearing glasses and contacts for around 20 years so I decided to see what I could do about it.

I did some research and decided on St Paul’s Laser Vision because of the NHS affiliation. They have a strong reputation as eye specialists, so I had that trust straight away. Since my first consultation, I felt confident and at ease that I was in the right place and everything was explained in a really understandable way. St Paul’s Laser Vision is in a brand new, clean, nice environment where I had thorough checks and was advised on what the best procedure was for me, which made me really comfortable and I never felt any pressure to go ahead after my free consultation.

The whole procedure took less than half an hour and I had a really quick recovery. I took one day off on work for my procedure and I was back to normal the next day. On the day I was recovering, I had a little sleep and when I woke up, it felt like a miracle, like I’d been given the gift of sight.

It’s been absolutely amazing and quite life changing. I’ve gone from wearing glasses for 20 years to having near perfect vision. When I open my eyes in the morning, I feel much more alert and ready to start my day. I travel a lot with work internationally, and after eight hours on a plane or looking at a screen wearing contact lenses, it starts to get uncomfortable, but I don’t have that problem anymore.

It does change your life and even day to day, things are a lot easier. When I play tennis or go to a gym class, I don’t have to think about glasses or contacts. Your eyesight is a massive part of life and I’m over the moon with the results.

The dedicated laser vison team were really helpful and answered all my questions. Even my aftercare was great, I was given a number for the hospital in case I had any questions and I came back the next day for a check up. I was good to have peace of mind knowing that I was going back the next day. Overall, I had a really great experience.”

Vicky Hincks, 32 from Liverpool

“I was short-sighted in both of my eyes, I couldn’t even see a car registration a few meters away, so day to day I relied on glasses or contact lenses. I found wearing contacts was really annoying, they were easily moved, caused irritation, made my eyes feel dry and even got infected a lot of the time.

I decided to have LASIK laser eye surgery at St Paul’s Laser Vision because it’s in a safe, hospital environment, so on the unlikely chance that something went wrong with my procedure, I’d be in the right hands – it was a no brainer really.

I felt very informed by Dr Esmaeil Arbabi and the team and confident that I was making the right decision. The actual procedure wasn’t painful at all, but my eyes were a bit sore for a couple of days after the procedure. But if I had to, I’d do it all again because my results have been fantastic.

I’ve got almost perfect vision, 95% in my left eye and 100% in my right. I don’t need glasses or contacts and I can do things I never could before like swimming or going in the steam room or sauna. I can don’t have to worry about what I’m doing, it’s made a massive difference to me and I’m made up. It has 100% been worth it and I’d recommend St Paul’s Laser Vision to anyone, it’s definitely worth it.”

Michael Jopson, 33 from Liverpool

“My vision was very poor so I went to St Paul’s because I knew they were a centre of excellence. When my consultant told me I had cataracts, (when the lens develops cloudy patches), I decided on lens replacement surgery.

Having been a contact lens wearer for many years, I didn’t want to wear glasses, so I knew the NHS mono vison lens weren’t for me.

I didn’t look at the cost of other private clinics because I wanted the safety, security and expertise of St Paul’s. Friends had suggested that I could go to Budapest, but I wanted the guarantee of excellence, which I got at St Paul’s Laser Vision.

Going to St Paul’s Laser Vision was very straight forward and my consultant was absolutely lovely. All of the staff were very kind and reassuring, and explained exactly what they were going to do and what it would feel like. Every step of the way was thorough with lots of check-ups and no delays.

Now, I have perfect sight. I can see really well for driving, watching TV or using a PC, and have excellent close-up vision for reading, which is really important to me.

St Paul’s Laser Vison has best people in the best place. We only have one set of eyes after all, so it’s vital that we chose the best care. I’m very, very happy with the outcome.”

Margaret Rannard, retired, from South Liverpool had lens replacement surgery at St Paul’s Laser Vision in July 2023.