Our Most-Watched YouTube Video: The Patient Experience at London Vision Clinic

Over the years at London Vision Clinic, we have understood that providing excellent service and care is about more than just the procedure itself. We have strived to provide valuable resources for people going ahead with Laser Eye Surgery, those still on the fence about this life-changing procedure, and those looking to support a loved on going through the process.

In addition to our extensive blog, which covers everything from the different kinds of Laser Eye Surgery to conditions that may affect your suitability, we have also released a huge number of educational videos. All of these videos are free to view on the London Vision Clinic YouTube page – and some of them have stacked up quite the viewership!

Our most-watched YouTube video (currently at 8.2 million views, and counting!) follows the procedure of Alex Cookson, a London Vision Clinic patient who underwent treatment for his myopia (short-sightedness).

Throughout the video, our founder and expert surgeon, Professor Dan Reinstein, explains the technology behind the procedure and walks us through the treatment. Meanwhile, Alex shares his experiences during and after his Laser Eye Surgery.

Some Background on Laser Eye Surgery

Laser Eye Surgery has been around for decades and, in that time, it has become one of the most popular elective procedures in the world. Over the years, the treatment has expanded and is now suitable for the vast majority of people (at London Vision Clinic, we are able to treat around 97% of the patients we see).

Today, Laser Eye Surgery can be effective in treating myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia (ageing eyes).

In the video below, Dr Dan tells us how this works in more detail.

“The amazing thing about ultraviolet light at 193 nanometers – which is the specific frequency that we use – is that it is completely absorbed by corneal tissue…

“The advantage of all this energy being absorbed into this very small area of the surface is that the laser, every time it pulses, that energy is absorbed, and only in the order of a quarter of a thousandth of a millimetre of tissue is removed per pulse.”

Alex tells us how he is hoping undergoing the LASIK procedure at London Vision Clinic will mean he can get rid of his glasses:

“I have been wearing glasses since I was about 10 or 11. Wearing contact lenses was a temporary solution but it was quite- you couldn’t go out, or going swimming with them, and they’re obviously quite fiddly, obviously when you’re younger- getting infections in your eyes and things, that is obviously not too good.”

“The main advantages I can think of having corrective surgery would be that it frees me up, I don’t have to wear glasses or contact lenses anymore.”

Alex had a prescription of -5 D before his Laser Eye Surgery treatment. Dr Dan explains that this meant they would need to remove around 80/1000 of a millimetre of tissue from the centre of Alex’s cornea. Removing this tissue changes the way light is directed into the eye, allowing it to be focused more effectively on the retina at the back of the eye.

The Procedure

Following the administration of anaesthetic eye drops, the patient is asked to lie on the treatment bed and their eye is further prepped for the procedure. In LASIK, this involves creating a small flap in the surface of the cornea, through which tissue can be removed.

The laser is then used to reshape the corneal bed, and then the flap is put back in place. Many patients who undergo Laser Eye Surgery are surprised by how speedy the procedure itself is. As Dr Reinstein explains in the video, treatment typically takes around three minutes per eye.

Before you know it, Alex is told his procedure went perfectly, and even better, the corneal flap will be healed in as little as three hours!

But what about the results?

The Wow Factor

Not only is the procedure over before you know it, but for many patients, the difference in their visual acuity is almost instantaneous. After watching so many patients be amazed by their vision on first opening their eyes after treatment, Dr Dan has come to call this the “wow effect”.

And when Alex opens his eyes, he is definitely not disappointed.

Dr Dan: Alright, so, remember what it looked like before you laid down ten minutes ago?

Alex: Yeah, well yeah – blurry.

Dr Dan: Alright, open your eyes and check your vision now.

Alex: Wow, yeah it’s amazing.

If you’d like to learn more about LASIK or our other Laser Eye Surgery procedures, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, to find out if you could be suitable for treatment, Book a Consultation at our Harley Street clinic.