TLC or lasic plus

[Dukesdad]

I'm looking into lasik and have been to TLC and lasik plus for the initial consultation. They told a couple of the same things after the exam at both but are recommending different procedures. Lasic plus is recommending PRK and TLC something else.
So, does anyone have anything good or bad to say about either place or the PRK procedure? Price is not an issue however there was about a $300 difference.

 

[cathcartsr14993]

Go with TLC, i have heard nothing but good things about their whole process

 

[Oz]

I'm looking into lasik and have been to TLC and lasik plus for the initial consultation. They told a couple of the same things after the exam at both but are recommending different procedures. Lasic plus is recommending PRK and TLC something else.
So, does anyone have anything good or bad to say about either place or the PRK procedure? Price is not an issue however there was about a $300 difference.

I had the lasik procedure at Lasik Plus in Annapolis in December 2005. Dr Sonny Goel was absolutely awesome. I would highly recommend them and the convenience of their Annapolis office. (They tried to assign me to Alexandria when I first called them but traffic going over there was a deal killer!)

My vision is now 20/15!!

 

[kom526]

Wilmer Eye Institute at Hopkins would be my 1st and only choice.

 

[Suz]

I had the lasik procedure at Lasik Plus in Annapolis in December 2005. Dr Sonny Goel was absolutely awesome. I would highly recommend them and the convenience of their Annapolis office. (They tried to assign me to Alexandria when I first called them but traffic going over there was a deal killer!)

My vision is now 20/15!!

Same place and Dr!! Different time. I need to call and schedule my yearly exam. I believe I'm due for a enhancement.

 

[AK-74me]

Two of my family members have used Lasik Plus, Sunny Goel and both are happy

 

[Fubar]

I know of at least 9 folks who have had lasik surgery all still have wear glasses to read and all have problems w/night vision

 

[Oz]

I know of at least 9 folks who have had lasik surgery all still have wear glasses to read and all have problems w/night vision

If they are over 40, they may need reading glasses due to muscular problems.

The newer machines correct a larger area of the eye and that eliminates a bunch of problems folks had after the surgery, years ago.

All I know is 15 months later, at 36 I don't need reading glasses yet and I don't have night vision problems or any other problem. Best money I ever spent on medical care!

And I think Wenchy had the surgery and still needs glasses. But for the improvement she gained, I think she said she had no regrets that they couldn't do a full correction the first time.

 

[Chain729]

[snip]
And I think Wenchy had the surgery and still needs glasses. But for the improvement she gained, I think she said she had no regrets that they couldn't do a full correction the first time.

First time? I thought you only got one shot at it? Is there a newer procedure that allows you to have it done more than once? I know there's been a lot of improvements and all but I didn't think that was one of them.

 

[MMDad]

First time? I thought you only got one shot at it? Is there a newer procedure that allows you to have it done more than once? I know there's been a lot of improvements and all but I didn't think that was one of them.

With Lasik they can go back and make corrections. It's usually included in the base price.

I was 20/800, and now I'm 20/15 seven years later. No side effects, and my night vision is actually better now. I had mine done at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

The reading glasses are necessary as you age because your eyes lose the elasticity that allows focusing in close. I'll need them this year. It's the same reason that people need bifocals as they age. I would have needed reading glasses even if I hadn't had Lasik.

 

[Wenchy]

First time? I thought you only got one shot at it? Is there a newer procedure that allows you to have it done more than once? I know there's been a lot of improvements and all but I didn't think that was one of them.

I had mine done last year. Corrections (as MMDad said) are included in the total cost. People's eyes are different. If you have a thin cornea or a steep one, you may not even be able to get the initial lasik. I have a thicker cornea, and am eligible for a second surgery.

I came out of the procedure with perfect vision. My vision then went funky.
By funky, I mean that one of my eyes corrected to read close up, and the other can see distance perfectly.

Some people plan this. Mine was not planned, and I am still getting accustomed to it.

I will not be going back in to be "corrected". I'm still glad that I did it, and I don't need glasses to read or to drive.

The smell of my cornea burning and having my eyeball vaccuumed out of my socket will send me to get glasses again when that time comes. I was not sedated, and saw everything...Gross.

For now, it is wonderful seeing what I couldn't before the lasik.

I'm still glad that I did it, but I will not get a correction.

 

[IrishGal]

I had the lasik procedure at Lasik Plus in Annapolis in December 2005. Dr Sonny Goel was absolutely awesome. I would highly recommend them and the convenience of their Annapolis office.

Me too. Same doc, same office, same great results. I wore glasses from 7th grade and it is great to be able to see 20/15 in each eye. I have no issues with night vision, nor do I need reading glasses at 39.

 

[socal1985]

my wife is looking into laser correction........ is it cost forbidding? how much if any does your ins. cover? no offense but thank god i have great vision.... "knocksonwood"

 

[Dukesdad]

my wife is looking into laser correction........ is it cost forbidding? how much if any does your ins. cover? no offense but thank god i have great vision.... "knocksonwood"

The price varies depending on what you are having done. They quoted me around $3800 at both places for the latest and greatest. My insurance does not cover it however TLC did offer me a discount because of the type of insurance I have??? Without the insurance, it was closer to $4500.

 

[ylexot]

I'm looking into lasik and have been to TLC and lasik plus for the initial consultation. They told a couple of the same things after the exam at both but are recommending different procedures. Lasic plus is recommending PRK and TLC something else.
So, does anyone have anything good or bad to say about either place or the PRK procedure? Price is not an issue however there was about a $300 difference.

I went to Lasik Plus and they told me that I had to get PRK because my corneas were too thin for the normal procedure. Is that why they said to get PRK? If it was, I'd be a little leery of TLC for not saying anything about that.

As for PRK, they probably told you this, but it's not what most people get. They reshape the outer surface and then let your eyes heal. It will take a day or two before your eyes feel comfortable again, a few more days before your vision is "ok" and then about a month or two before your vision is at its best. Mine got to 20/15.

 

[Dukesdad]

I went to Lasik Plus and they told me that I had to get PRK because my corneas were too thin for the normal procedure. Is that why they said to get PRK? If it was, I'd be a little leery of TLC for not saying anything about that.

As for PRK, they probably told you this, but it's not what most people get. They reshape the outer surface and then let your eyes heal. It will take a day or two before your eyes feel comfortable again, a few more days before your vision is "ok" and then about a month or two before your vision is at its best. Mine got to 20/15.

I went back and reviewed my notes. I have worn contacts for a long time and my corneas are mishaped from them. Both places told me to leave them out for a month and come back to see how much they have changed. Both places said it could take 6 months for them to get stable enough to do the surgery. Lasic Plus told me my corneas were plenty thick enough for Lasik but they could do PRK also. I was mistaken when I said they recomended PRK; BOTH places told me they could do the Lasik with wavefront and ofered lifetime enhancements. TLC did not mention RPK at all however after seing the shape of my corneas, they didn't check the thickness nor dialate me. They said they would do that at the next visit.

 

[Oz]

Just to add to the data, my Lasik procedure totalled $2600 with 18 months of 0% Financing from Lasik Plus in Annapolis. I also had a coupon that gave me the free lifetime upgrades which at the time was an additional $300 per eye.

Now, they sent me the coupon a few months after my initial inquiry because I hadn't responded to the information packet they sent me. And it was towards the end of the year (I finally had the procedure done between Christmas and New Year's.) So maybe if you wait them out for a few months they will sweeten the pot.

However, the surgery has been such a good experience, I would encourage everyone who can afford it to do it. It's so nice to see when you swim, play softball, or even just wake up in the middle of the night and check the time that you can't really put a pricetag on those quality of life fixes.

 

[Chain729]

However, the surgery has been such a good experience, I would encourage everyone who can afford it to do it. It's so nice to see when you swim, play softball, or even just wake up in the middle of the night and check the time that you can't really put a pricetag on those quality of life fixes.

I'd love to be able to experience that, but I may never be a candidate (eyesight continues to deteriorate, perscription is now like -10.5 in one and -11 in the other). I had 20/200 vision when I was 8 and it's gotten worse every year since. It's kind of embarrassing when you mistake someone for your dad at a water park and they're within 30 feet. Or interesting to spar with a 4-limb blur.

Not my thread, but still, thanks for the information guys.

 

[oldnavy]

Same for me

Me too. Same doc, same office, same great results. I wore glasses from 7th grade and it is great to be able to see 20/15 in each eye. I have no issues with night vision, nor do I need reading glasses at 39.

Ditto here...same office, same doc. My SO also had it done there several years before me. Hers continues to be perfect after about 7 years. Mine was 20/15 at first, but seemed to weaken over time and at 44 I now use glasses for both distance and reading. I will say that the use of glasses for distance is not NECESSARY, but it does help to crispen up what I'm seeing. I was foolish enough not to pay for the lifetime program and now wish I had and could go back for a follow-up.

I believe that PRK is an older, less advanced procedure. It's still the only thing that the Navy will do for it's folks.

 

[Tonio]

I had my Lasik done by Dr. Maria Scott at TLC in January 2002.