General Chat

Hello I was tempted to have a laser surgery, and I was just about to enter this morning in one of the branches of OE, but something said me to think about it for twice and to search for some more info.
After watching some of your videos and reading some of your comments, now I got a serious worry. Is it just OE not well recommended or is it any kind of laser surgery?
Thank you for this guys, you probably saved me troubles and now I am asking for more opinions.

Just wondering if anyone who has had help from OE for travelling expenses can tell me what they were allowed for mileage.

Thank you for taking the time to produce this website. I have now cancelled my appointment with OE

Mike

Eleven years ago, in May 2003, journalist Jenny Booth wrote an article for The Telegraph, even then highlighting concerns regarding the laser eye surgery industry's misleading advertising and complication rates.

"Clinics are potentially misleading patients by claiming very low complication rates," Ms McIntosh said. "Symptoms that can have a real debilitating effect on patients are sometimes dismissed as minor. It is another example of the lack of reliable data about the safety of this type of treatment, and the ability of the surgeons who carry it out."

NB: At that time RLE was simply cataract surgery and not sold as a more expensive option to laser, as it is now.

The now notorious Dr Stefan Klopper worked for Boots in 2003, when he displayed signs of integrity::
"A spokesman for Boots, which charges £1,250 per eye, said that retreatment rates across its clinics were 6 to 7 per cent. However, Dr Stefan Klopper, an opthalmic surgeon in Boots' Regent Street clinic in London, told The Telegraph that failure rates were one in 10."

And this should resonate with every damaged patient:
"A recent investigation by Health Which? said that some private clinics were cutting corners because of pressures to stay profitable. Customers were diagnosed by junior staff and did not see their surgeon before the day of the operation, giving little time for them to be properly assessed."

As many people know - especially us victims, the situation has become far more serious, and in my opinion reached epidemic proportions. Yet the majority of the press/media have ignored the problems brought to their attention - advertising revenue often the deliberator, which is why the BBC have been supportive.

Which? magazine reported their findings on two previous occasions, the most recent in 2009. However, I expect the forthcoming September report will be more illuminating, so perhaps this time the press and media will pay attention and the truth about the horrors of this industry finally exposed.



The notorious Dr Stefan Klopper worked for Boots in 2003:

Full article here:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1429116/...e-surgery-risks.html

Mr Starburst, I couldn't agree more! This industry has been allowed to do as it pleases for far too long. The last people that many in this industry care about are those of us that have our eyes and lives ruined, thanks to their greed. In fact, I think they despise us for the inconvenience we cause them when we complain!

I would rather they had mugged me like common criminals for a few thousand pounds of my money, at least then I could move on. They are the lowest of the low.

I am of the opinion that what has been done to many patients eyes goes way beyond what could be termed 'medical negligence' and are, in reality, acts of outright criminality !

Hi,I'Im 23 years old and had laser eye surgery in 2012, which worked for a year. My eyes have then since worsened and now I'm back to needing contacts/glasses to drive - which was the reason i had the surgery in the first place. After 8 months and £50 later i finally retrieved my medical records but I'm not sure what route to take next.
Does anyone have any information or help on what i can do next as at the moment i feel like i have just wasted my money.
Thanks
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admin: Details on the way Bernie

When a patient has gone through the Optical Express assessment, signed agreement to undergo treatment and made "payment in full" via Hitachi finance, only to be turned down by the surgeon at the last minute on the day - like poor Judy (see Deposit Refund post 20 July), does anyone know if the financial bonus awarded to the optometrist and "refractive technician" (aka sales counsellor) forfeited? Let's hope so - plus a penalty! All good stuff for the forthcoming Which? Report I am sure.

The stark reality is that these operations are performed in the best interests of the businesses involved (ie: ruthless pursuit of profit) rather than in the best clinical interests of the patients.

glowing wrote: Having managed one of Optical Express's Flagship Surgery and Consultation clinics i can vouch that not only do they ruin the lives of their patients, they also do the same for their staff..... Horrified and resigned after 6 months...

Agree with your comment. Why would anyone want to work for them. The wise ones have moved on and got themselves a future !!!!!