Share review of Mr Julian Stevens MRCP,FRCS,FRCOphth.

Mr Julian Stevens MRCP,FRCS,FRCOphth. 2021-11-05 Person 5 5 0

After being diagnosed with cataracts I was referred to the NHS Maidstone Hospital. My eye pressure was found to be quite high, and so asked if they could check for glaucoma, which was diagnosed. l was also told by the Associate Consultant the optic nerve in my left eye had some damage. I was put on eye drops to bring the eye pressure down, and booked in for cataract surgery in July. However, something just did not feel quite right, and my confidence started to waiver. After searching various websites, reading many reviews and asking friends, Julian Stevens came highly recommended by my former boss, and l decided to pay to get a second opinion. From the moment l entered Moorfields Hospital it was a completely different experience. Julian’s team headed by Janet his P.A. is super-efficient, very professional and caring. I spent the best part of the morning having various tests performed with greatly advanced equipment, there was no guessing to be had, and no mistakes made. The final meeting that day was with Julian Stevens himself. Within the first few minutes of our meeting, Julian inspired my confidence and any nerves immediately disappear, you can tell this man cares deeply and genuinely wants to help you. It so turned out my optic nerve had no damage whatsoever, and this was backed up by the machine graphics that were patiently explained. In comparison, the NHS lenses on offer are very basic and you have 2 choices, close up or distance vision. My previously being short sighted, and not one to favour wearing glasses - which had only worn for distance driving, Julian discussed the best type of lens for my prescription. We decided on refractive lens replacement, with one lens being slightly adjusted for close up vision, which meant l would be able to read without having to wear glasses thereafter. Now these are not just any old lenses, they are the very best on offer. If you do not have any health insurance such as myself, paying to go private is quite expensive, but the cost can be cut down somewhat by having replacement lenses fitted in both eyes at once. On the day of my operation, all went very smoothly, from the laser part of the brilliant light show, through to the operating theatre thereafter with my choice of Pink Floyd playing in the background, and l was not afraid knowing in his very safe and capable hands. The NHS experience would certainly have been a very different one indeed, our eyesight is very precious, so if you are able why begrudge yourself, every penny is well spent. I can honestly say 100% there is no one else but Julian Stevens and his team l would have trusted. Immediately after the op, my vision started to return - over the next few days my sight improved immensely, Janet and the team were on hand to help if any worries or concerns. It is now 3 months after my op in August, and Julian suggested stopping my glaucoma medication a few days prior to my last check-up - my eye pressure is actually lower now than beforehand, so on my last visit a few days ago was told they can be stopped which is amazing. I can now see far into the distance as never before which is surreal, yet still be able to read normal sized print without the need for reading glasses, my confidence has returned. Julian Stevens has many rich and famous clients, yet he gives the same amount of time and attention to ALL of his patients, he is very much a people person, with warm kind eyes, and an infectious sense of humour to match. However trivial, there is no question he will not answer. We are very lucky indeed to have this man in our country, who is nothing short of a genius, with his expert skills and knowledge, boundless enthusiasm and constant striving to develop new technology, just simply the best!