Name: Lawrence Gardiner

Treatment received at AVC: Clear Lens Exchange (CLE with IOL)

Why you decided to have treatment:

The main reason I decided to go for treatment was to have the convenience of having clear vision.

How was the AVC experience?

I was extremely happy with my experience at AVC, all the way from consultation to post-treatment. I was recommended to go and see the AVC team by a colleague, and I would definitely recommend them to others.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

As the MD of an engineering company, I have to travel a lot and not having to take glasses around with me everywhere makes life a lot simpler. I can read better, work on my computer and I can take up more hobbies. I am able to work on my computer for much longer periods of time without suffering from dry eyes and headaches. Everything I do is just that little bit easier now. I was also always terrible at misplacing and losing my glasses, so that’s one less thing to worry about!

Name: Douglas Hall

Treatment received at AVC: LASEK

Why you decided to have treatment:

I have played rugby for a number of years with contact lenses which would constantly fall out during games which can cause stress and obvious problems in high level sport. I decided that something had to be done and the best solution by far was laser eye surgery.

How was the AVC Experience?

From start to finish I was delighted with the level of service I received from AVC. Laser eye surgery can be a daunting prospect and I was aware that as with any surgery things can go wrong and with my career on the line it was important to me that I should have absolute faith in the surgeon who would be performing my operation. In Mr Pillai I knew I had found my man and the confidence he gave me along with his realistic appraisal of the risks involved meant I could go ahead with the surgery in the knowledge I was in a very safe pair of hands.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

Absolutely the best thing about the laser eye surgery is that sometimes I forget that I even had to wear glasses. Not only are my contact lens problems a thing of the past, but the simple pleasure of waking up in the morning and not having to reach for my glasses is brilliant. I can’t recommend AVC and laser eye surgery enough.

Name: Amanda Mealing

Treatment received at AVC: LASIK

Why you decided to have treatment:

I had an astigmatism, so contact lenses never sat properly in my eyes, but I had to wear them as it was difficult to work, drive, live without them. On set, the heat from the studio lights along with tiredness and sore eyes would make daily contacts wither which made focussing tough later in the day. Also, for premieres and charity functions the option of wearing glasses wasn’t mine.

How was the AVC Experience?

I was very nervous of having laser treatment. So much so I cancelled my appointment twice. Third time lucky though. When I finally plucked up the courage I couldn’t have been happier. Instantly I felt happy and secure in the evident experience and confidence of the team at AVC. I was informed of every detail and reassured that if at any point I was worried, we would stop. I was in control, but I never needed to be.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

Within hours of the treatment my vision was amazing. It makes me realise how much of my life I have missed by not seeing well enough. All the searching and panic over lost glasses or contacts are gone. I an just get up in the morning and go! I can buy sunglasses off the shelf. I’m so much freer. I just wish I had done it sooner.

Name: David Thomas

Treatment received at AVC: Clear Lens Exchange with toric IOL

Why you decided to have treatment:

I have been wearing glasses for years, and always found them really inconvenient. I am a real keen motorbike rider and have been riding pretty much all of my life.  It is really uncomfortable having to wear glasses under your helmet when riding, and I have always wanted to change this.

How was the AVC experience?

As soon as I went to meet Mr. Pillai at AVC I had absolutely no apprehension on getting the treatment done. I spoke to the team and I was really impressed by their knowledge – they were clearly experts in their field. I was comfortable throughout the whole process and I knew I was safe in their hands.

How has your life change post-treatment?

For me, I am so happy to be able to ride my motorbike with such clear vision and when riding on a race track I have fantastic vision now. Generally, it is great to see everything so much clearer. I am really happy with my results.

Name: Lucy Pond

Treatment received at AVC: Laser Eye Surgery in both eyes

Why you decided to have treatment:

It was something I had always thought about and always wanted to do,but I never felt confident enough to actually do it. I finally decided to have the treatment when it was recommended to me by a friend in the army who had his treatment done with AVC and was really pleased with the results.

How was the AVC experience?

I was very impressed with the surgeons at AVC and it was so much easier than what I expected. It was actually a really easy process. I would recommended AVC to any of my friends with poor eyesight.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

It has changed my life dramatically. Since having the treatment I can be better at my job. I am an Officer Commander in The Royal Logistic Corps and being able to see clearly without wearing glasses or contact lenses enables me to be better in the role. My job is obviously very active and involves a lot of training, and wearing contact lenses or glasses makes it very difficult. Often one of my contact lenses would fall out meaning I would basically have to work with vision only in one eye.

I would recommend anyone in the army who has eyesight problems to have Laser-Eye Treatment. I wish I had done it sooner as I cannot stress enough what I difference it has made.

Name: Beverley Pennekett

Treatment received at AVC: Clear Lens Exchange Multifocal

Why you decided to have treatment

I have worn contact lenses for around 30 years. I was perfectly happy with my vision, although I had started to need to wear glasses occasionally for close work. I thought that surgery probably wasn’t worthwhile as I expected that I would still need to wear glasses for close work. However, my eyes suddenly became intolerant to the gas permeable lenses, and although I was able to wear soft lenses, I found that the vision was poor and my eyes were very dry. I made an appointment with AVC to investigate the possibility of laser treatment and learned that, while this wasn’t really an option for me, Clear Lens Exchange was.

How was the AVC experience?

The treatment was painless and very easy. The procedure was explained carefully so that I was fully aware of what to expect. I was perfectly comfortable during the procedure itself (30 years of wearing contact lenses have left me with very little squeamishness about my eyes!) which took around 20 minutes. I left the operating room perfectly conscious and I had immediate improvement in my vision.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

I love my new eyes! I can wake in the morning and see the clock and admire the pattern on the curtains without having to search for my specs (although that particular habit took a little time to lose). At work I can read presentations. Plus, (added bonus!), I can read any paperwork I’m given. When I play golf I can see my ball rather than having to rely on others to spot it for me. When I swim I don’t have to worry about getting my face wet and possibly losing a lens.

Name: Darren D

Treatment received at AVC: Lasek

Why you decided to have treatment

I had always been thinking about getting the treatment done, but it was only when it was finally recommended to me by a friend that I really decided to start researching it properly. I had been tired of wearing glasses for so long.

How was the AVC experience?

Very good. I felt completely comfortable throughout the treatment.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

Crikey! It’s been brilliant. You can definitely notice it in day-to-day activities. I enjoy working out at the gym and running and it is definitely so much more comfortable without glasses or contact lenses. It also makes a difference in driving, and also not having to buy prescription sunglasses!

Name: Owen Peat

Treatment received at AVC: Lasik Wavefront for both eyes

Why you decided to have treatment

I have always been quite a lazy person when it comes to contact lenses, so I was always having problems with them. I found them to be a real inconvenience. Being a really keen sportsman, I was constantly losing my contact lenses, which obviously made playing the sport really difficult.

I am an especially keen mountain biker, and during a ride at Morzine in 2009 I had a really bad experience. There was a lot of dust from the track, and my contact lenses were constantly trapping it into my eye. This was really painful and I knew something was wrong, but I wanted to enjoy the rest of my holiday so I carried on regardless. When I got home I was in a lot of pain and knew I had to go to the optician. The optician informed me that I actually now had two scars on my eyes as a result of the dust. This was a serious wake up call for me. I then decided I wanted to get the treatment done straight away.

How was the AVC experience?

People may think I am a bit odd, but I can honestly say I enjoyed my experience. I didn’t feel at all nervous. All of the AVC team genuinely feel like good friends to me now.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

It has given me so much more confidence in everything that I do, especially in the sport I take part in. I would recommend that anyone who has serious problems with their eyesight should get this done. I would especially urge younger people not to put it off, because it really does make such a difference to your life.

Name: Susan Byszewski  

Treatment received at AVC: Clear Lens Exchange

Why you decided to have treatment

I had always been very short-sighted, and I never wanted to wear reading glasses.

How was the AVC experience?

The equipment used to measure my eyes was state of the art, so gave one confidence, especially the multiple readings. All the staff were very friendly and kind. During and after surgery I had excellent care and I felt like I had the VIP treatment. I was never in any pain and enjoyed being able to see from the moment I came out of the operating room. The surgeon was wonderful throughout.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

It feels quite miraculous being able to see without glasses or contact lenses.

Name: Emma Riddell

Treatment received at AVC: Implantable Contact Lenses

Why you decided to have treatment

I had worn glasses for 25+ years. I knew that laser surgery was not an option as I was very short-sighted.

How was the AVC experience?

I am thrilled with the results.

How has your life changed post-treatment?

My vision is now clearer than it ever was with contact lenses or glasses. I would highly recommend this treatment to family and friends