LASIK is an eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. With over 9 million successful procedures in the United States and a 96% satisfaction rate, it has helped many people get rid of their glasses and contact lenses.1
One institution leading in the LASIK campaign is the LASIK Vision Institute. In this article, we review this eye care institution to determine the quality of service, payment options, and more.
What is the LASIK Vision Institute?
LASIK Vision Institute is a leading LASIK surgery provider with over 1.3 million successful procedures. They work with highly skilled independent LASIK surgeons who use state-of-the-art FDA-approved laser technologies and diagnostic tools to provide best-value services.
Since its foundation in 1999, the LASIK Vision Institute® has grown and opened locations in more than 33 states. They attribute their growth to the affordability and convenience of their services and the excellent patient care they provide.
What Services Does the LASIK Vision Institute Provide?
LASIK Vision Institute surgeons and employees endeavor to provide the safest and most comfortable laser eye surgery experience. Your experience begins with a free consultation and ends with quality post-op care advice and care.
The following services are provided at LASIK Vision Institute eye centers:
- Traditional LASIK Surgery.2 Most frequently performed procedure; involves the creation of a corneal flap before laser treatment
- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). Involves the removal of the corneal epithelium before laser treatment
- Custom Wavefront Optimized LASIK. Uses WaveLight® refractive technology to customize every patient’s visual needs
- Topography-Guided LASIK. The latest FDA-approved LASIK procedure uses Contoura® Vision technology to enable accurate eye measurements and personalized treatments
- Monovision LASIK.3 Usually recommended for older adults, this procedure corrects one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision
Pros and Cons of the LASIK Vision Institute
Like all businesses, LASIK Vision Institute has a number of positive and negative reviews from its clients. Below are the positives and downsides of LASIK Vision Institute:
Pros | Cons |
Competitive and affordable pricing | Low rating (1 star) on Better Business Bureau |
Highly qualified doctors perform surgery | Clients report poor scheduling and customer service depending on the location |
State-of-the-art laser technology (e.g., Wavelight laser and Contoura Vision technology) | Not available in all states |
Free consultation (virtual available) | Reported misleading advertisements on discounts |
Flexible financing or savings options | |
Multiple locations in 33 states | |
Lifetime Assurance Plan |
How Does the LASIK Vision Institute Compare to Other Providers?
LASIK Vision Institute works with some of the best independent laser surgeons in the country while keeping the cost as low as possible. This, coupled with the latest technologies like Wavefront-optimized treatments and Topography-Guided LASIK, makes their laser centers stand out.
Qualifying patients can enroll in the Lifetime Assurance Plan, which enables them to seek LASIK-related treatments and same-technology enhancements without paying extra fees. This plan helps patients maintain their personal best vision for the rest of their lives.
How Much Does LASIK Vision Institute’s Services Cost?
According to The LASIK Vision Institute, the cost of eye surgery can range from $1999 to $4,000 or more per eye. The exact price may depend on location, technology, surgeon’s skill, etc.
However, you never have to figure out the exact cost alone. The professionals at LASIK Vision Institute will investigate your vision correction needs and provide a customized quote. They’ll also discuss payment options that can help you pay less.
Does the LASIK Vision Institute Accept Insurance?
Laser eye surgery is considered an elective and may not be covered by your insurance provider. However, in cases where your insurance offers a discount, LASIK Vision Institute may match your plan’s discount.
Other comparable discounts may also be available (up to 20% off). However, it’s best to discuss pricing with the branch closest to you.
Available Financing Options or Specials for LASIK Vision Institute
In addition to insurance discount matching, the LASIK Vision Institute offers several other options to help patients afford the cost of vision correction. They will work with you to identify the best financing option for your service.
Some financing options you could use include:
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Tax refunds
- Credit card (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, and Discover)
Some credit cards have long-term repayment plans or low interest rates. It’s best to check with your credit company for more information.
What to Expect on Consultation Day?
During your consultation day, your surgeon at LASIK Vision Institute will ask about your visual needs and desired outcomes. They will then map your eyes using special technology to identify any abnormalities in your vision.
This information is essential to determine your eligibility for LASIK procedures. They will suggest the procedure that will best satisfy your visual needs.
Some key information you can discuss with your surgeon during consultation day include:
- The surgery process
- Payment options
- Personal concerns you may have
- What to expect after surgery
After deciding which procedure you want, the employees at LASIK Vision Institute will help you schedule your appointment.
What Happens on the Day of the Procedure?
On surgery day, your surgical team will prepare your eyes. They will apply topical anesthesia to ease any discomfort during the process and will use a speculum to hold the eyelids open.
The rest of the process will depend on the type of procedure you’ll have. These include:
LASIK Procedure
All LASIK procedures at The LASIK Vision Institute follow the same process:
- The surgeon creates a flap
- They will fold it back to reveal the underlying corneal layer
- Laser treatment will shape the cornea for optimum vision
- The corneal flap is replaced to allow healing
Depending on the type of LASIK you decide on, your surgeon will use unique equipment to facilitate the process.
Contoura® Vision (topography-guided LASIK) is the latest FDA-approved LASIK technology, which provides your surgeon with detailed eye measurements, facilitating more accurate outcomes and eliminating the risk of aberrations.4
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) Procedure
PRK differs from LASIK as it involves peeling off the cornea’s epithelium (outermost layer) and treating the underlying cornea using an excimer laser (an ultraviolet laser).
PRK is recommended for people with thin corneas that make flap creation impossible.5 The epithelium will grow back during recovery.
After surgery, your surgeon will provide an eyeshield to protect your eyes against accidental eye injuries that may cause complications.
Monovision LASIK Procedure
Monovision LASIK is similar to standard LASIK, only that each eye is treated differently. Using an excimer laser, the surgeon will correct the dominant eye for distance vision and the non-dominant eye for near vision. This procedure is appropriate for older adults with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness).
How is Aftercare Managed at the LASIK Vision Institute?
The staff and surgeons at LASIK Vision Institute ensure that service doesn’t end after you leave the surgery room. In addition to staying a couple of hours to allow the surgeon to monitor initial healing, you’ll be provided with post-op care instructions to help you manage your healing eyes from home.
The professionals at The LASIK Vision Institute will also help you set up your follow-up visits, which are crucial to successful healing and monitoring.
Summary
- LASIK Vision Institute is a leading LASIK surgery provider with over 1.3 million successful procedures in the US.
- There are centers in more than 33 states providing various types of LASIK procedures and PRK.
- All surgeries at LASIK Vision Institute involve the treatment of the cornea using a special laser to attain the desired shape for the sharpest vision.
- The cost of LASIK procedures at the various locations may range from $1,999 to $4,000 or more per eye.
- Your procedure process will depend on the type of surgery you decide on.
- After surgery, your doctor will give you detailed post-op care instructions to manage healing at home.
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