Richard E

I am a 30 year wearer of contact lenses to help with my short vision. About 7 years ago I also started to require reading glasses for computer, phone and more importantly menu use…

My optician suggested I consider lens replacement a couple of years ago.

Once the seed was planted, it took a combination of frustration with glasses (not remembering them mostly), the cost of contact lenses and the realisation that short term pain would be worth it for not having to use glasses and contact lenses going forward, for me to decide to go for it.

My optician said 'if you're looking for the best in the country, look no further than Professor Gartry.'

Being surgery I was expecting pain, but with the well planned process (and drugs) there wasn't any pain to speak of. The eye drops took a little getting used to post surgery, but it's no real hardship for a month.

From the initial meeting right the way through to being signed off with 20/20 vision last week (I've never been able to say that before!) the process was smooth & had clearly been put together with the patient in mind.

There is lots of documentation provided to help you decide whether lens replacement is for you. The key parts for me were a) becoming glasses and lenses free, and b) recovery time, which is 6-8 weeks. I needed a temporary set of glasses to enable me to be able to drive in the first month. I was able to read menus the day after my first eye was done – amazing. After the second eye was done, colours were much more vivid and much more light gets through (sunglasses needed for a week or 2). The multifocal lenses used for me are brilliant.

As if all the above isn't enough, the icing on the cake is that the chances of me requiring cataract surgery later in life are now vastly reduced.

Based on my experience and results, I would (and have) recommended Professor Gartry and his team to anyone looking for help with their eyes.