Lasik providers in Boston area? - Page 3

#49 03-02-2004, 03:10 AM

On 2 Mar 2004 01:12:40 GMT, "Wayne S. Hill" <hillw4[at]asme.org> wrote:

- quote -

> SickRick wrote:
> > Brett got screwed over by a surgeon [at] Beacon, probably
> > wasn't even a good candidate (and probably stomped his
> > little baby feet and INSISTED on the procdure anyway).
> > Baby/kook's eye center was bought out by TLS, who endevoured
> > to make the kook's eyes right, but alas, the damage had
> > already been done.
> I understand how these things can happen.
> > Check out a REAL site, with REAL information, like Glenns
> > site:
> > > www.usaeyes.org
> Did that, thanks.
> > Read it well. Especially the "50 tough questions" - you may
> > not feel the need to ask all of them, but they give you the
> > basis of what to look for in a RS Surgeon. Ask if Dr.
> > Concool is doing surgery [at] that TLC office, he did mine here
> > in Fla. and I am very satisfied with him.
> > > MAKE SURE regardless of who you use, that you get screened
> > thorougly. Be concerned with your PUPIL SIZE, PRESCRIPTION,
> > ASTIGMATISM, etc.
> > > Ask the most pointed question: "Does anything about my
> > current ocular condition INCREASE THE RISK of having less
> > than optimum results."
> > > If you are satisified with your numbers, and the answers to
> > your question, then you are making an INFORMED DECISION.
> > > With ANYTHING, there is risk. BE REALISTIC about them, and
> > about your expectations, and you will likely be another
> > SATISFIED LASIK PATIENT.
> Got it, thanks.
> Any comments on the quoted price range of $2250-2900 per eye at
> Laser Eye Center of Boston?

I was quoted $4,250 for both eyes [at] TLC in Ft. Lauderdale. My
referring optometrist negotiated this down to $3,700 for me. I don't
know if it involved reducing HIS co-management fee or not, but it does
demonstrate that there is enough margin in there, to attempt to
negotiate, or if you're friendly with your Opto, ask him to see if he
can arrange a reduced fee.

As many people have commented, you can't put a price on your vision.
I have friends locally that paid ALOT LESS at other vision centers.
But I also have a friend of the family that TRAINS the Doc's [at] TLC on
the VISX equipment, and her recommendation of the particular surgeon
that did mine, was enough for me, on top of my Opto's recommendation.

The practice of diefying Doctors is falling by the wayside in this
country. Many people take advantage of the resources available on the
internet to better educate themselves, and are less prepared to take a
Doctors word as gospel anymore. I base my judgments upon the
relationships I build with professionals over time (as my clients also
do with me - I do Law/CPA office networks and computerization). Trust
is no longer a given, but must be earned.

Again, don't think with your WALLET when it comes to something as
valuable as your vision. If $500 is going to make you compromise, and
go somewhere where you're less comfortable with the Dr., etc. - then
you're probably better off waiting and saving the additional $$.

I was initially evaluated over a year prior to my getting the
procedure, but couldn't get financed at the time, and couldn't afford
the cash outlay.

Rick

#48 03-02-2004, 02:16 AM

RT wrote:

- quote -

> "Wayne S. Hill" <hillw4[at]asme.org> wrote:
> > What do you think of LECB's quoted price range of
> > $2250-2900 per eye?
> IMHO if you can afford it and you feel comfortable with the
> Dr, the price doesn't mean much. I paid a lot for my
> procedure and I don't regret it because I felt comfortable
> with the Doc, the OD and in the office with the staff etc. I
> suppose I could have gotten it for less somewhere else, but
> I went with where I felt most comfortable. I used CRSQA's 50
> Tough Questions. They were an important resource in my
> final decision; not the price. If the fact that you can get
> it done cheaper somewhere else is going to bug you, then I
> would suggest you look into another alternative.

It's not that, so much as the poor information that's
available: if I had a survey that compared responses to the
"50 questions" to the prices charged, I'd feel a lot better
about it. As it is, surgeons are free to play games of

- "our procedures are as good as anybody's and we're a lot
cheaper", or
- "you pay a premium for our service, but get what you pay
for"

Either of these can carry a good deal of truth, but the
patient's in a lousy position to make that assessment for the
local surgeons without visting each one.

For me, the cost is more an annoyance than a deciding factor.
If I gain the confidence you mention, it won't be an issue.

--
-Wayne

#47 03-02-2004, 02:07 AM

lasik advocate with flap melt wrote:

- quote -

> Your myopia range is good for reading up close when you lose
> all of your accomodation. Your astigmatism isn't that high
> so you should be able to read fine without glasses. Do you
> want to give up your near vision, risk your visual acuity
> and potentially your vision quality to have poorer distance
> vision that doesn't require (and may not be correctable
> fully) with glasses or contacts? The tradeoff doesn't make
> sense once presbyopia sets in.

Do others agree with this assessment?

Presbyopia has set in. I'm taking my glasses off and putting them
on as it is, but have to wear glasses 95% of the time. I'd rather
reverse that statistic.

Glasses suck for my outdoor activities. Performing the highland
games events in the pouring rain wearing glasses is absolutely
awful (and I have to train/compete whatever the weather). It's a
bit like taking your glasses, smearing grease on them, and then
having to concentrate extremely hard on a complex motor skill.
It's similarly bad with contacts when it's very hot out. Kayaking
and swimming with glasses or contacts also sucks. I'm willing to
accept a modest risk to achieve acceptable distance vision without
glasses, even if I have to wear glasses for night driving or for
sharpest vision.

--
-Wayne

#46 03-02-2004, 01:52 AM

In article <Xns949FD1E806F1E8ch[at]127.0.0.1> ,
"Wayne S. Hill" <hillw4[at]asme.org> wrote:

- quote -

> What do you think of LECB's quoted price range
> of $2250-2900 per eye?

IMHO if you can afford it and you feel comfortable with the Dr, the
price doesn't mean much. I paid a lot for my procedure and I don't
regret it because I felt comfortable with the Doc, the OD and in the
office with the staff etc. I suppose I could have gotten it for less
somewhere else, but I went with where I felt most comfortable. I used
CRSQA's 50 Tough Questions. They were an important resource in my final
decision; not the price. If the fact that you can get it done cheaper
somewhere else is going to bug you, then I would suggest you look into
another alternative.

--
"The truth lies somewhere between Ragnar and Flap Melt"
~RT

#45 03-02-2004, 01:38 AM

Glenn - USAeyes.org wrote:

- quote -

> There is a doctor in the Boston area who is going through
> our certification process, but is not fully certified at
> this time. If you want his contact information to check him
> out, email me directly.

I saw that. I will send you e-mail.

Perhaps you can comment on something that's stated in my
referred doc's literature: "He was a principal investigator in
2 major studies on radial and astigmatic keratotomy, and a co-
investigator in FDA-sanctioned trials resulting in approval of
the excimer laser for hyperopia."

I checked in Entrez Pub-Med, but didn't find those particular
papers (although they may not have been published in journals
covered by Pub-Med). I did find a bunch of papers (27) in which
he's listed as an author, including 12 in which he's listed as
primary author. The most recent paper was in 1995.

I take this stuff as a good sign, but obviously the specific
questions regarding practice and outcomes are the most relevant.

- quote -

> For this doctor and any others, I recommend you use our 50
> Tough Questions For Your Doctor to evaluate a prospective
> surgeon.

Got it, thanks. What do you think of LECB's quoted price range
of $2250-2900 per eye?

--
-Wayne

#44 03-02-2004, 01:28 AM

Your myopia range is good for reading up close when you lose all of
your accomodation. Your astigmatism isn't that high so you should be
able to read fine without glasses. Do you want to give up your near
vision, risk your visual acuity and potentially your vision quality to
have poorer distance vision that doesn't require (and may not be
correctable fully) with glasses or contacts? The tradeoff doesn't
make sense once presbyopia sets in.

"Wayne S. Hill" <hillw4[at]asme.org> wrote in message news:<Xns949F6C7F7C45B8ch[at]127.0.0.1> ...
- quote -

> I googled this group, and found only a couple of relevant posts
> warning against cut-rate surgeons in my area. I've also visited
> the various websites suggested here and found good information.
> I'm 47 years old, have fairly mild myopia (-2.5 and -2.75) and
> mild astigmatism (-.5 both eyes), and currently have 20/15 or
> better vision with glasses. I'm considering Lasik because
> glasses greatly hinder my outdoor activities of highland games
> (an all-weather sport) and kayaking. I'm willing to live with
> reading glasses (add 1.25 both eyes) if I can ditch glasses for
> distance vision. I've worn hard contact lenses in the past, but
> found them to be too much of a hassle and not secure enough to
> use in kayaking in rough conditions.
> I'm looking for a good Lasik surgeon in the greater Boston area.
> My optometrist has referred me to Laser Eye Consultants of
> Boston, and I have a consultation scheduled with them (Dr.
> Rapoza) next week, but am a bit put off by the quoted range of
> prices: $2250-$2900 per eye (depending on refractive error).
> They do IntraLase and Custom Vue, along with what looks like a
> half-dozen other variations.
> There is also a TLC Vision center in my area, and I don't know
> much about them (except that my optometrist's office also refers
> to them: I have no idea how they choose one or the other for a
> given patient).
> I'm interested in any feedback or suggestions anyone might make
> about cost, reputation, etc..
> Thanks in advance.

#43 03-02-2004, 01:12 AM

SickRick wrote:

- quote -

> Brett got screwed over by a surgeon [at] Beacon, probably
> wasn't even a good candidate (and probably stomped his
> little baby feet and INSISTED on the procdure anyway).
> Baby/kook's eye center was bought out by TLS, who endevoured
> to make the kook's eyes right, but alas, the damage had
> already been done.

I understand how these things can happen.

- quote -

> Check out a REAL site, with REAL information, like Glenns
> site:
> www.usaeyes.org

Did that, thanks.

- quote -

> Read it well. Especially the "50 tough questions" - you may
> not feel the need to ask all of them, but they give you the
> basis of what to look for in a RS Surgeon. Ask if Dr.
> Concool is doing surgery [at] that TLC office, he did mine here
> in Fla. and I am very satisfied with him.
> MAKE SURE regardless of who you use, that you get screened
> thorougly. Be concerned with your PUPIL SIZE, PRESCRIPTION,
> ASTIGMATISM, etc.
> Ask the most pointed question: "Does anything about my
> current ocular condition INCREASE THE RISK of having less
> than optimum results."
> If you are satisified with your numbers, and the answers to
> your question, then you are making an INFORMED DECISION.
> With ANYTHING, there is risk. BE REALISTIC about them, and
> about your expectations, and you will likely be another
> SATISFIED LASIK PATIENT.

Got it, thanks.

Any comments on the quoted price range of $2250-2900 per eye at
Laser Eye Center of Boston?

--
-Wayne

#42 03-01-2004, 05:26 PM

Hello Wayne,

There is a doctor in the Boston area who is going through our
certification process, but is not fully certified at this time. If
you want his contact information to check him out, email me directly.

For this doctor and any others, I recommend you use our 50 Tough
Questions For Your Doctor to evaluate a prospective surgeon.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAeyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

#41 03-01-2004, 05:24 PM

Perhaps NOT kook.

Wayne,

If you haven't noticed, Brett is a KOOK.

Brett got screwed over by a surgeon [at] Beacon, probably wasn't even a
good candidate (and probably stomped his little baby feet and INSISTED
on the procdure anyway). Baby/kook's eye center was bought out by
TLS, who endevoured to make the kook's eyes right, but alas, the
damage had already been done.

Also not, that the kook's RS occurred in '96, that makes it EIGHT
YEARS the kook has been on his anti-RS/anti-TLC krusade. Some people
just don't know when to get a LIFE - Brett is one of them.

Check out a REAL site, with REAL information, like Glenns site:

www.usaeyes.org

Read it well. Especially the "50 tough questions" - you may not feel
the need to ask all of them, but they give you the basis of what to
look for in a RS Surgeon. Ask if Dr. Concool is doing surgery [at] that
TLC office, he did mine here in Fla. and I am very satisfied with him.

MAKE SURE regardless of who you use, that you get screened thorougly.
Be concerned with your PUPIL SIZE, PRESCRIPTION, ASTIGMATISM, etc.

Ask the most pointed question: "Does anything about my current ocular
condition INCREASE THE RISK of having less than optimum results."

If you are satisified with your numbers, and the answers to your
question, then you are making an INFORMED DECISION.

With ANYTHING, there is risk. BE REALISTIC about them, and about your
expectations, and you will likely be another SATISFIED LASIK PATIENT.

Rick

On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 16:38:49 GMT, "LASIK Fraud"
<brent[at]nospam_lasikfraud.com> wrote:

- quote -

> Wayne: Do you really want to have lasik at TLC? Perhaps you ought to check
> out this web site first. http://www.tlcsurgeons.com/
> "Wayne S. Hill" <hillw4[at]asme.org> wrote in message
> news:Xns949F6C7F7C45B8ch[at]127.0.0.1...
> > I googled this group, and found only a couple of relevant posts
> > warning against cut-rate surgeons in my area. I've also visited
> > the various websites suggested here and found good information.
> > > I'm 47 years old, have fairly mild myopia (-2.5 and -2.75) and
> > mild astigmatism (-.5 both eyes), and currently have 20/15 or
> > better vision with glasses. I'm considering Lasik because
> > glasses greatly hinder my outdoor activities of highland games
> > (an all-weather sport) and kayaking. I'm willing to live with
> > reading glasses (add 1.25 both eyes) if I can ditch glasses for
> > distance vision. I've worn hard contact lenses in the past, but
> > found them to be too much of a hassle and not secure enough to
> > use in kayaking in rough conditions.
> > > I'm looking for a good Lasik surgeon in the greater Boston area.
> > My optometrist has referred me to Laser Eye Consultants of
> > Boston, and I have a consultation scheduled with them (Dr.
> > Rapoza) next week, but am a bit put off by the quoted range of
> > prices: $2250-$2900 per eye (depending on refractive error).
> > They do IntraLase and Custom Vue, along with what looks like a
> > half-dozen other variations.
> > > There is also a TLC Vision center in my area, and I don't know
> > much about them (except that my optometrist's office also refers
> > to them: I have no idea how they choose one or the other for a
> > given patient).
> > > I'm interested in any feedback or suggestions anyone might make
> > about cost, reputation, etc..
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > > --
> > -Wayne

#40 03-01-2004, 04:38 PM

Wayne: Do you really want to have lasik at TLC? Perhaps you ought to check
out this web site first. http://www.tlcsurgeons.com/

"Wayne S. Hill" <hillw4[at]asme.org> wrote in message
news:Xns949F6C7F7C45B8ch[at]127.0.0.1...
- quote -

> I googled this group, and found only a couple of relevant posts
> warning against cut-rate surgeons in my area. I've also visited
> the various websites suggested here and found good information.
> I'm 47 years old, have fairly mild myopia (-2.5 and -2.75) and
> mild astigmatism (-.5 both eyes), and currently have 20/15 or
> better vision with glasses. I'm considering Lasik because
> glasses greatly hinder my outdoor activities of highland games
> (an all-weather sport) and kayaking. I'm willing to live with
> reading glasses (add 1.25 both eyes) if I can ditch glasses for
> distance vision. I've worn hard contact lenses in the past, but
> found them to be too much of a hassle and not secure enough to
> use in kayaking in rough conditions.
> I'm looking for a good Lasik surgeon in the greater Boston area.
> My optometrist has referred me to Laser Eye Consultants of
> Boston, and I have a consultation scheduled with them (Dr.
> Rapoza) next week, but am a bit put off by the quoted range of
> prices: $2250-$2900 per eye (depending on refractive error).
> They do IntraLase and Custom Vue, along with what looks like a
> half-dozen other variations.
> There is also a TLC Vision center in my area, and I don't know
> much about them (except that my optometrist's office also refers
> to them: I have no idea how they choose one or the other for a
> given patient).
> I'm interested in any feedback or suggestions anyone might make
> about cost, reputation, etc..
> Thanks in advance.
> --
> -Wayne

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