Laser Surgery (Lasik)?

Question

Has anyone had lasik, or similar eye surgery in the Denver area? I am interested and unsure of who should perform, how expensive it REALLY is and the like. Recovery time is faster and it will save me money in the long run. Any ideas/comments/concerns/advise/experience to share?

Answer 1

I'm in Denver and the ones I hear the most positive things about are Spivack, Karen Heuer, and Bill Hines. All of 'em have websites (which I'll get to in a minute) and all of 'em are probably worthwhile to check out.

It's my opinion that you really want to avoid the Lasik "factories" like Icon and TLC. While you might stand a good chance of getting your proceedure done correctly there....you also have to keep in mind that you're getting your surgery done somewhere that prides itself on getting "as many surgerys done per day as possible". Now, I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like the type of place I'd want to trust my vision to....

Now then. About pricing. Since Lasik SHOULD be an extremely individual proceedure, I'd be very leery of a Lasik center that promises a "set" price before you have an initial consultation with a doctor. See, your eyes are shaped differently than ANYONE elses...and will present the surgeon with a completely unique set of circumstances. Promising a certian price before determining those circumstances seems to be more than a little dishonest...and possibly unethical. But maybe that's just me....

All I know is that I wouldn't go anywhere that advertises something like, "THIS WEEK ONLY....LASIK FOR $700 PER EYE!!!"

Anyhow, here are the websites. You'll notice that none of them have a "set" price...or "this week's special" on there. They're all very informative and will hopefully help you get all of the information you might want to have.

I hope this helps....

Karen Heuer: http://www.lasikplus.com/aboutlasik/index.shtml

Bill Hines: http://www.hines-sight.com/

Spivack: http://www.spivack.com/

EDIT: The person below who works at a LASIK facility posted some great information, but I would quibble with one point. She said to be wary of "lifetime enhancements" and to go to a doctor who can get the proper results with one surgery.

Well, in my opinion, you want to go to a doctor who takes ownership of your personal situation and will do what's right for your eyesight...REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY SURGERIES IT TAKES!!!

See, sometimes an individual's eyesight is so bad that trying to correct it in one surgery is nearly impossible...and could actually pose more of a problem than simply planning on doing two (or more) surgeries to get the proper degree of correction. If you KNOW your eyesight is really lousy, then I would be sure you bring this up with whomever you consult with.

Also, call me crazy, but I WANT A DOCTOR THAT STANDS BEHIND HIS/HER WORK!!! It's my opinion that the benefits of a lifetime guarantee/adjustment policy FAR outweigh the possibility of the lasik center "closing" or somehow ceasing to exist. Besides, the three lasik centers I've provided links to above will NOT be going out of business anytime soon...

Answer 2

I work for a LASIK center (San Jose/Pleasanton, CA)and have had it done as well. All LASIK centers offer a free consultation. Go comparison shopping to all the ones in your area. A thorough consultation should last between 1 1/2 - 2 hours and they should be taking corneal topographies, pachymetry (corneal thickness measurements), and refraction as well as dilation of the eye to check the health.

When considering LASIK you should research - the experience level of the surgeon, how many procedures he/she has done, his/her success rate, and the ranges of corrections they have done and where you fall in that range. Also depending on your correction, what the chances are that you will need a retreatment. LASIK surgery is not permanent. It last 6-10 years on average and some patients are not @ 20/20 vision with the first surgery and need to do an enhancement to get them there. Enhancements can only been done if you have enough corneal tissue to work with. There are procedures other than LASIK if you have thin corneas though such as PRK. See what the centers retreatment policy is. Be careful if they guarantee "lifetime enhancements." Most centers like this are not going to stick around. You want a surgeon who is confident to give you excellent results with one surgery.

Cost should not be an issue when consider LASIK. You can't put a price on vision! The fees @ our center range from 860/eye to 2900/eye and they are set by prescription, type of technology used, as well as the dr's experience level. Don't jump @ the chance for $499/eye specials you see on TV. Those fees are usually for patients with extremely low corrections who can probably get by without glasses/contacts or surgery with an unexperienced doctor new to LASIK.

After your consultation @ any center, someone should meet with you to explain what you're a candidate for and give you the pricing. Research the lasers things the doctor is recommending and make sure they have the latest technology.

Answer 3

I don't live in the Denver area. But my son had it done in Columbia South Carolina where he lives. He had very bad eye sight so the priced it per eye. The worst eye was the most expensive. The total cost was $5500.00 All the post exams which I believe was 1 per month for 2 months, then 1 per 3 months then every six months for 1 year, then 1 time per year. He sees 20/20 now something he hasn't seen in many years. The day of the surgery, he had to go home and rest and take some drops and some pain med. Also, he had to wear sun glasses that whole day and for the next week. I hope this helps a bit. The Dr. said the places that say $300.00 per eye are places that really doesn't care, and remember these are your eyes, you have to save them. Go to a place that is very reliable read about it and ask questions before you go. Take care.

Answer 4

I had it done, but not in the Denver area. My cost was like 1500.00 per eye. I looked up lasikplus.com and they do have a location in Denver. That is who done mine and I was real pleased. Plus they let you do payments with 0 interest for 18 months, or I should say they did when I had mine done about 4 years ago. There are different options, you can get with 1 year any problems it is free or for a bit more you can get a lifetime option where it costs a little more, but if any problems you get the procedure done again for free. Even after 4 years I am still 20/15 and before I was like -4.75 & -5.25. Check them out.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

I know of no one who has had any problems...but, check with your Lasik center for an assessment..about 750-1000 per eye here

Answer 7

Wrong category.