There are many consultants at Moorfields Private who do this procedure, but luckily I was given Prof. Gartry who along with being one of the most experienced eye surgeons in the UK, is also very approachable and person-centred.
I first enquired about having RLE in August 2019. I ended up having the surgery in Jan of this year, 2024. I did a lot of research, about the pros and cons of the process, mainly from the point of view of driving. After the break forced by Covid, I recontacted the surgery in July 2020, with a view to starting the process again. However, as sometimes happens, life gets in the way, and I did not take it up, until contacting the surgery for a third time in Sept. 2023.
This time I did pros and cons research in a much wider aspect, covering a multitude of questions. I was actually still checking it on the morning of my surgery – not recommended, but I had to find out!
Prof. Gartry’s clinic encourages you to ask questions and you can email any of them to him and he will respond. This helped to put me at ease. I always felt I was in control of my process, and respected as an individual. You also get printed detailed information about the process and what to expect at each stage – before, during, and after the surgery. ‘During’ never seemed that bad to me from day one. I have always been a bit squeamish about anything to do with the eyes, but his clinic made it seem very calm, matter of fact, and even enjoyable!
I can now say having experienced the surgery that this was for the most part true. Although understandably I was nervous on the day, I felt also very confident I’d made the right decision due to all my research, and importantly, that I was in good hands.
This carried me through, and now with my (apparently)! 20/20 vision, I am enjoying a new lease of life. Freedom from glasses (only a level 1 reading pair from Boots) is amazing! I retired in the year of Covid, but kept quite busy. Now I’m busier than ever, and doing more work in the community. Not to mention continuing developing my interests and having fun!
Thank you Professor Gartry and his team.
