Let me start off by saying that I suffer from actual, diagnosed, acute social anxiety. And I don't take meds for it.
So, the following review puts a curve on the experience: perception vs. reality, accounting for my natural reaction of "Dear God, get me out of this waiting room, now! If I spend one more second in this waiting room, I'm going to burst through their window, and have to reimburse them for the insurance costs." AND my brain's autonomic reaction of "Who are all these new people, and how should I react to them? I know...I'll just spaz the hell out and hope they can cope without reacting to the fact that I'm twitching about like someone who is on meth."
You probably know Lori Travers from all the commercials on the radio, television, and any other media that can be utilized to persuade you to go to her office.
And you've probably wondered "With all that advertising, is it any good? Does it really do the trick? Will they cut off my eyeballs and leave me blind?"
Bottom line: Yes. Yes. And no to the blindness. If you read no further, pay the money, ignore your crazy anxiety about having your vision irreparably screwed and have the surgery.
The following is what you should expect, start to finish.
The initial consultation:
You'll schedule an appointment. You'll show up and receive an eye exam, which will involve some rather complex machinery that doesn't make an appearance in your normal optometrist's office.
This will be taken care of by a nice office staff who are constantly moving. More on that in a minute.
You'll wait some more time, and be seen by another ophthalmologist who isn't Dr. Travers. Get used to it. If you want face time with Dr. Travers, schedule surgery. Otherwise, the rest of the people you will meet are more than capable of handling your questions and concerns.
Once they've determined the surgery(s) you are eligible for, based on the workup, you'll go to a consult. They'll ask if you have any questions. And in a low-pressure sort of way, they'll ask if you'd like to book a spot.
Personally, I knew I would get this surgery from the start, so I was sold before I even came in. There would be no deviation. Do I have to jump in front of a car first? If so, how much does it hurt?
Pricing:
They let you know how much it is from the moment you come in the door. The $999 per eye deal is for PRK, which is a very effective, but much older laser surgery, that has a much longer recovery time. One full month, to be exact. And that's a nope, nope, nope for me.
The Z-Lasik, which was my surgery is ~1800 per eye, at current time of surgery. They do offer 0% APR financing through a third party, for as long as 36 mos., so it is do-able. And I recommend doing it, as it will cost you the same as a yearly eye exam, and a new set of lenses ...or less...over the next 10 years or so.
The Day of Surgery:
I scheduled my surgery for the very next day. Originally, I was a week out, but I moved it up, because I was scared that I might back out if I didn't do it ASAP.
I arrived at about 2:30 in the afternoon. They nicely called, and let me know they were running about 30 minutes behind schedule. Which gave me a bit more time to relax at home.
Upon arrival, one of the doctors took me to the back room, to make sure my vision readings were the same as the prior day. I was within the range of tolerance, so I went back the waiting room.
I waited there for nearly 1.5 hours. After that time, I was escorted to a smaller waiting room with a television, snacks and water. I sat there for 30 mins, immanently more comfortable than in the general waiting room.
They told me there were two people ahead of me. About five minutes before the surgery, a technician came in to tell me to take the Valium tab they prescribed.
The surgery:
Finally, I met Dr. Travers. And yes, she is nothing like the commercials. For that, I am thankful. Because I don't want anything but a serious, focused person working on my eyes.
She was cordial, but she ain't Seinfeld. And I don't want a surgeon doing high stakes surgery on my eyes who is. The stakes are three grand in cash, plus my sight. Last Comic Standing is $128 for great seats. You want warm fuzzies, go there.
She went through my questionnaire quickly, along with my medical history, and we went straight to the table.
I was escorted from the room to the OR, where they put numbing drops on my eyes, and stuck me under the laser.
Fifteen minutes later, I was done. I now have 20/15 vision.
No regrets.
Synopsis/Pros/Cons:
+ Fast, efficient service
+ Fair Pricing
+ Flexible financing
- If you're expecting a "personalized, white glove service" from end-to-end: Fuggedaboudit - This is a high volume, reasonably priced service, with great results.
To keep things that way, it means that you might not see the same person each time. And if you're uncomfortable with that, barrel through it and suck it up.
You won't regret it. read more