After 2 years of serious consideration regarding lense replacement, I did a lots of research on various companies and read reviews and information on the internet and my local opticians. I went to optical express in Crawley and they were quoting £7k for the tri focal lense which was the one I needed. I found this to be very expensive and could not afford such an expense. So I decided to venture abroad and ultimately chose Praga Medica in Prague to do the treatment at a considerably cheaper price of £2400. I booked the dates 17th to 21st December 2019 and paid a deposit of €300. I booked my flights from Stansted airport return for £100 through Ryanair and I paid for the extra luggage options £28 return. Praga Medica offered me a choice of hotels and collection from the airport also but I decided to go my own option and get a taxi which was £40 return and an air bnb whole apartment in Prague 4 for £175 for 5 nights. Although I travelled alone it could sleep Upto 6 people and had everything I needed. When I arrived in Prague I used google maps to find the medical building which was a short 20 minute walk from the apartment. Upon arrival on the morning of 17th December I was asked for ID and gave them my passport. I was then asked for the letter of consent from my gp. This was done by my GP the week before at a cost of £40. It consisted of an ecg, urine analyse and full blood count and blood pressure etc. I was then asked to fill in a consent form asking me general questions about my medication and history. A pleasant lady named Marie introduced herself and stayed with me throughout the whole process. She kept me entertained and made me laugh a few times. There were four rooms and all had the latest technology for testing your eyes to determine the correct lenses for the procedure. Also to determine whether you are suitable or not. They did each eye with absolute precision and were extremely professional and careful. It was like being in an optician’s but far more advanced. At the end of this process I was seen by a doctor who discussed the best options for me to decide which one to choose. I opted to have a tri focal lense and have the standard operation as opposed to the new laser treatment which was €1300 more expensive. It’s not about the cost for me I just think this was my preferred option. The place was spotlessly clean and every care was taken to keep it that way with the use of sterile wipes and gloves etc. The machinery was up to date with the latest technology. The whole process took around 4 hours and it went very quickly. Tea, coffee and water was offered throughout. I asked if I could have my eyes done on consecutive days So that I could get it done and out the way as I booked to stay for 5 days. I now have an extra day to visit Prague and the Christmas market and shops. This was granted to my delight as they had a spare space the following day. My first eye was being operated the next day 18/12/19 at 9.30am. I arrived in the morning and was taken to a room where a nurse asked me to take my shoes off and put on some crocs. I was then led to a changing room to change my clothes ready for surgery. I brought my tracksuit bottoms and t shirt to change into. I was then asked to sit in a chair and they took my blood pressure. They then put on a mesh hat and started to give me some eye drops to widen the pupil. I was offered water and a calming pill. I drank the water but refused the pill as I wasn’t sure what it was. The lady nurse just said it was a calming pill but I don’t really think she knew either. There were 4 others there also and two others took the pill. I didn’t think I would benefit from taking it anyway as I’m not the nervous type. The drops continued for around 30 minutes then I was given the local anaesthetic. This came in the form of drops also. I had six drop doses in total and by the last drop I couldn’t feel the drops going in. I was then asked to put on some plastic shoe covers and an apron and was then led into the operating Theater. The surgeon introduced himself on entry to the room and shook my hand which was nice. I was asked to sit on a reclining chair and given a stress toy which was a cuddly pink pig. I laughed at this but it did help a little I must admit. I was more apprehensive than nervous. The chair was laid back electronically and they put a support under my knees. They put a sterile sheet over my face and exposed the eye. They swabbed my eye with sterile liquid and then the nurses started clamping the eye open. There were three of them and they were very polite. The surgeon then came over and started the operation. He asked me to look straight up and stare at three lights. There was some juddering and movements and my eye was moving left and then right. The surgeon told me to keep looking at the three lights which I did. I absolutely couldn’t feel a thing. The surgeon said I may feel a little pressure but I didn’t really feel that either. After a couple of minutes I couldn’t see the lights anymore just a blank mesh and white bright light. I assume that my lense was now removed. The new lense was then implanted and I could just make out the three lights again. A little more movement and mild pressure and then a white dressing patch was applied. A totally painless experience I felt a sigh of relief and it was over. I was then sat up and the surgeon came over and told me that it had gone well and one of the nurses took a photo of me with the surgeon. I was then taken back to the waiting area and offered a choice of pictures of Prague which was a nice touch. They gave me the photo and some eye drops with full instructions on what to do iver the next four weeks. I was told to keep the patch on until the following morning. Then apply the eye drops 5 times a day for the 1st week. The next two weeks 3 drops a day and then 2 drops for the final week. I was told I couldn’t get any water near my eye to prevent bacteria infection and I am not allowed to do physical activity or swimming for 2-3 weeks. I met two other guys and we all had a drink after the surgery in a cafe next door. It was quite funny because we stood out like sore thumbs with eye patches on! People were staring a little but who cares! I certainly didn’t. I then went back to my apartment and had a rest. I went to bed later that evening and woke up at 5.30 am with the excitement of taking my patch off. I went to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror and started to slowly peel the patch off. To my amazement I could see the instructions on the eye drops bottle. I was expecting some bruising but nothing! My eye looked completely normal. I had a slight flickering to the right side but I was told by the doctor that it’s normal and the lense was settling down and would clear in a few days. I went for my check up the next day and they used two machines and did an eye test to make sure all was ok. They also did a distance reading test and close reading test and I passed both with flying colours. I then went straight to the operating area after my check up and had my second eye done. It was the same as before. I asked Marie on the first day if I could have my eyes done on consecutive days and she asked and that was agreed. It gave me an extra day to enjoy Prague after my surgery was completed. On the final check up on the 20th December they used the two machines again and did a reading test again and I managed to read the distance letters easily and the smallest text on the reading card. The doctor said she was happy and recommended that I visit my local opticians in a month to get a check up. I have to say that I would highly recommend Praga Medica (Duovise eye clinic section) if your thinking of having the treatment. I am amazed at my results and I am writing this glasses free!!! Steve Long