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LASIK recommendations

3,537 Views | 29 Replies | Last: 9 yr ago by TheEyeGuy
schmendeler
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AG
anyone have some recommendations for LASIK in houston?

have already talked to berkeley, but wanted to see if there were any other places to consider.
schmendeler
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i see mann was one recommended on another thread. didn't they used to be partnered with berkeley?
11taxman11
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Dr. Moore at International Eye Care. He is the official Lasik provider of Aggie Athletics. Both my fiance and I loved the experience he provided.
andrago94
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I had LASIK done by the senior Dr. Mann in 2002, my sister had hers done by his son a couple of years ago. We both had great experiences.
Furlock Bones
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i had mine done in February at International Eyecare.
Buck O Five
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+1 to International Eye Care.
schmendeler
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Anyone used Berkeley and have an opinion?
DRE06
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How much is LASIK these days?

And yes, I know not to bargain shop when it comes to eye surgery. Looking at getting it done in 2015.

Also, aren't there multiple kinds of surgeries?
Mustang1
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Plan ahead on how much you need to aside in your Flex program.
bigjag19
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Dr. Lipsky is well regarded. Coastal Eye Associates.
SMAggie2007
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Had mine done at Mann in Katy. Highly recommend it!
TheEyeGuy
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I used to be in this business from the optical side. Use eye center of Texas and Dr wade. Only one in Houston I would recommend. Mann is good as are a few others, but wade is the best.
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sixbarag
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Dr. Moore @ International Eye Care did mine 12 years ago.
Before surgery I could only read the big E on the eye chart without glasses, I've got 20/20 now!
Cromagnum
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The going rate still about $2-3k per eye?
schmendeler
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closer to 2k per eye
dubi
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Dr Wade performed my son's lasik.

My bff is an Optometrist and she said that would be her choice.
Furlock Bones
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if you are paying for the whole thing upfront, you can get it done at international for $3400-3700 total if you negotiate.
ttuhscaggie
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Any of the ophthalmologists above will do a fine job. As long as they are going to use a femtosecond laser to create your flap instead of a keratome, there's not that much to it. I don't know how you're really going to differentiate the docs otherwise unless you're looking to find the one whose personality you like best. They are just going to punch some numbers into a computer and the laser machine does the rest. Just my perspective.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
CrossBowAg99
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quote:
Any of the ophthalmologists above will do a fine job. As long as they are going to use a femtosecond laser to create your flap instead of a keratome, there's not that much to it. I don't know how you're really going to differentiate the docs otherwise unless you're looking to find the one whose personality you like best. They are just going to punch some numbers into a computer and the laser machine does the rest. Just my perspective.
I paid $2500 5+ years ago at lasik plus greenway

I am happy with the results

It really depends how bad your eyes are and what is wrong with them. My eyes were normal except I was far sighted.
ttuhscaggie
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Aside from your refractive error, they really wouldn't be performing lasik on you if your eyes were anything but normal.

It's a relatively straight forward procedure. Vast majority of people have great results regardless of surgeon. The eximer laser does all the work. It's not like it requires a steady surgeon's hand cutting on your eye unless they are using a keratome.

Berkely, Mann, Coastal Eye Associates.... They're all going to do a good job as long as you're getting it done by a high volume practice like the aforementioned.

I just thought I'd throw in my two cents because I hate seeing people make medical decisions regarding doctors based on the anecdotal experience of others. We all want the best surgeon operating on us. However in this case I don't really see what separates one high volume lasik surgeon from another from a quality standpoint.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
schmendeler
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good thoughts!
RingOfive
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quote:
I don't really see what separates one high volume lasik surgeon from another from a quality standpoint.


The honesty of the doctor is probably the biggest thing.

I had lasik back when Mann-Berkley was one entity. My optometrist was slightly concerned about me getting lasik because my eyes were slightly dryer than normal. His advice was to seek the advice of a reputable lasik doctor. The doctors at Mann-Berkley acted like they didn't know what my optometrist was talking about and told me my eyes were perfectly fine. So I went forward with the surgery.

It's by far the biggest regret of my life. My eyes produce almost no tears of their own as a result of the surgery. I live with chronic inflammation and pain in my eyes. I have to use drops constantly just to live a semi-normal life. I've seen numerous specialists, but they've all basically told me it's just something that I'm going to have to live with. There's really not much that can be done other than restasis. I've used restasis every day for years and it's only reduced my discomfort by about 5%.

I'm not saying this to scare you or anyone else. But think long and hard before you decide to go through with the lasik procedure. Sure, most people are fine after the surgery. But If you're like me and you're one of the few who suffer the side-effects/repercussions of the operation, your life will be miserable.
schmendeler
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Sounds like you had a basis for a lawsuit to me
ttuhscaggie
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Sorry to hear about your complication. Have you tried punctual plugs or even cautery?

However, your post does illustrate my point regarding medical anecdotes. An optometrist wouldn't be fully qualified to rule you out as a candidate for lasik. They don't perform the surgery therefore their clinical acumen is not as developed as a high volume refractive surgeon.

Mild dry eye is a relative, not absolute, contraindication to lasik. I would be shocked it your surgeon was being willfully dishonest with you. It's also highly unlikely that your optometrist had previously diagnosed your dry eye using formal Schirmers testing.

Unfortunately, given a big enough sample size, even patients with perfectly normal eyes can develop post-operative lasik complications such as chronic dry eye. You won't find a high volume refractive surgeon who hasn't had these kinds of complications (and if they tell you they haven't, you've found a dishonest surgeon). Although these patients are understandably very unhappy afterwards, it may be a stretch to extrapolate the poor outcome back to surgeon dishonesty.

Such is the nature of surgical complications, and why you'll notice a great deal of ophthalmologists walking around with glasses on themselves.

Again, not trying to come off as an a-hole, just my very long winded 2 cents.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
dubi
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quote:
Such is the nature of surgical complications, and why you'll notice a great deal of ophthalmologists walking around with glasses on themselves.

My optometrist wears glass too!
TheEyeGuy
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Complications is exactly why I have certain recommendations on LASIK. You can talk about how everyone uses the same equipment everyday, which is cool and true, but at the end of the day there are other things to factor in. "High volume" docs can mean one of two things: docs like Mann, Eye Center of Texas, etc that are good docs and do a lot of surgeries because they are good and have a great following. The other "high volume" docs are going to be the ones that advertise with "$695 per eye" on a billboard or have groupons and the like. Without getting too much into it, stay away from those kind of practices. The reason why I like Dr. Wade is generally insanely honest one whether lasik or any refractive surgery is the right path. I'm out of the eye biz so I have no dog in this fight, whatsoever.

Also, as to the procedure, personally, I don't think I'd ever have it done. You can call this anecdotal if you want, because in a lot of ways it is, but the number of refractive surgeries that I have seen from 20 years out that all deteriorate in the same weird way makes me not want to do it. I could have had it done at Texas Regional Eye Center, Eye Center of Texas, and a couple other great places and have had to pay a pittance for it. However, at least 2-3 times per week, I personally help treat patients that had long term annoyances with refractive surgery. Nearly every lasik patient were hyperopic and had oblique astigmatism of at least two diopters. Old school R/k was even worse. Very high prevalence of dry eye as well, but most learn to deal with it.

I'm also not bad enough to feel that I need it. The ones I recommend it to are those that are completely non-functional without glasses/contacts. Best friend was -5.00. Dr Wade did everything and knocked it out of the park. Referred another -7.00 to him and she did great, as well. They also both were well aware of the risks and understand that things may change on them in a number of years. However, in the meantime, they are both extremely happy with their choices.
dubi
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quote:
The ones I recommend it to are those that are completely non-functional without glasses/contacts.

I was -8.5 and had lasik from Mann/Berkley when I was 33. At 50, I am back in glasses due to "old age" inability to read or easily see my computer, plus a mild astigmatism in my left eye.

However I can't imagine life without lasik. I can see without my glasses; heck I can read without my glasses it is just hard.
Mr.Bond
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quote:
Anyone used Berkeley and have an opinion?



I had mine in February 14 and they were fantastic
dreyOO
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o do it. I could have had it done at Texas Regional Eye Center, Eye Center of Texas, and a couple other great places and have had to pay a pittance for it. However, at least 2-3 times per week, I personally help treat patients that had long term annoyances with refractive surgery. Nearly every lasik patient were hyperopic and had oblique astigmatism of at least two diopters. Old school R/k was even worse. Very high prevalence of dry eye as well, but most learn to deal with it.

I'm also not bad enough to feel that I need it. The ones I recommend it to are those that are completely non-functional without glasses/contacts. Best friend was -5.00. Dr Wade did everything and knocked it out of the park. Referred another -7.00 to him and she did great, as well. They also both were well aware of the risks and understand that things may change on them in a number of years. However, in the meantime, they are both extremely happy with their choices.


I have eyesight like that but have always laid off the surgery because I didn't want these side effects. Just to be clear about your post, are you saying EVERYONE ends up with issues after a number of years?

I've always felt lasic was like a trip to vegas. People are much more apt to tell you what they won rather than mention their losses. Its like they're so invested personally I never feel like I'm getting a straight answer
TheEyeGuy
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I think most docs try to be pretty honest about it, but at the same time, they do have a monetary interest in the surgery. That's one of the things about Dr. Wade that I like is that he has been pretty open with those that are borderline. No punches pulled, but that's also why I trust him.

It's definitely not everyone but my basic way of explaining it to patients is that if you are going to be genuinely upset about having to wear glasses again in as little as five years, probably a bad idea. Most of these cases that I see are 10 years and more out. However, as I said, I do recommend the surgery, just have to be aware of what you're doing. My thing is, if it can make someone functional to at least go to the bathroom in the middle of the night without needing their glasses, it's probably going to be beneficial for them.
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