Have you seen the advertisements for Lasik for $495 per eye or even $250 per eye? Sound too good to be true? Well it is and here’s the “fine print”:
First, note that the price is only good for those with less than a diopter of nearsightedness and no astigmatism, a prescription so small that Lasik would not even be indicated!
Second, the price does not include “add-ons” such as modern custom Lasik technology, blade-free treatments, complimentary pre-op glasses for contact lens wearers, free punctual plugs for dry eye patients, consultation fees, post-operative fees, medications and life-time guarantees, i.e. all the things you would want.
Third, the evaluation and determination of candidacy is done by a sales consultant, technician or optometrist and not the M.D. surgeon himself, who may not appreciate all the nuances of your eyes or your care.
Fourth, you meet the surgeon only on the day of your procedure. There is no opportunity to evaluate him or ask him questions beforehand. He does not see you prior to, after, or through the entire process as he is out of town at another center.
Fifth, while the company boasts a million procedures performed, that is an aggregate, not your doctor or your particular center’s statistics. Indeed, they may have just opened that week.
Finally, the corporate center is admittedly focused on company profits and their shareholders, not on you, the individual patient.
So if you skimp on technology and care, you can pay less. But, is the “deal”, really worth it? Also, what if there is a problem or issue?
At CarlinVision, we feel each person deserves only the latest technology and the best care. Our concern is for the individual, which is how we have built our practice and reputation over the past 40 years. Our fees are fair and competitive. We believe that with eye surgery (and parachutes!) you should choose the best, not the cheapest.