Russell Ambrose
Optimax Chief Executive
 |
Russell is Chief Executive
of Optimax, one of the first companies in the
UK to offer laser eye treatment. He was Optimax's
first patient and has never had to wear glasses or contact lenses
since his treatment. He has spent the last
18 years enthusiastically
building Optimax, the UK's leading laser eye treatment
specialist. |
Russell's story - PRK Laser Eye Surgery
I wore glasses from
the age of nine and hated them. At 19 I tried
contact lenses but was never comfortable with them either so, when
disposable lenses were introduced, I found them much
better.
However, they were expensive and I
often got sore eyes and were a big nuisance. I investigated
the Russian ship style operation but having knives cutting into my
eye did not appeal.
Then in September 1989 I heard
about laser eye surgery and my ears pricked up. My
investigations led me to believe it was a great procedure but
unfortunately it was not available commercially. When I did find
someone who could perform the procedure, the cost was £2,500 per
eye and was located 200 miles away from where I lived.
I immediately thought that if the
operation was made affordable and in the South of England it would
be a commercial success. Within a few weeks I had formulated my
plans and ordered a laser!
It was only a matter of weeks after
coming up with the idea that I opened my first clinic, with myself
as the first patient! I have not worn glasses since 1992 and
during this time Optimax has performed over
350,000 treatments.
There are now
27 specialist laser
eye clinics nationwide and Optimax has established
itself as the market leader in the field of corrective eye
surgery.