The LASIK Vision Institute

Reviews 4

PA

Paul Levin

With regards to the staff, including the surgeon, at this lasik office, I give them 10 stars. Starting with my first meeting with Matt, the guy whose job it is to sell me on getting the procedure with them, all the way through to now (2 months after surgery), they have been very real, caring, and diligent. I was very scared going into surgery, but Dr Ivan Ireland, the surgeon was fantastic. He talked me through the procedure both before and during, step by step. His voice was so calming during the processes. He made it a breeze. I found it really funny (and great) when he would say something like, "now there will be 10 seconds of darkness" and just as hes done saying that, the nurse starts counting - 9, 8, 7, ... 2, 1 ... and poof, light. As for the results for me, its been great but a struggle. In fact, to be honest the difficulty in seeing clearly makes it not so great yet. But I believe it will get much better. I got mono-vision (one eye far, one near). From the very next morning after surgery the far was great. I drove myself to the office for the morning after checkup. But the near vision has not been as great. There are still things I cant read (medicine bottle labels), but its getting better. Two weeks ago, I couldnt read a fortune cookie. Now I can. When I was waiting for surgery, I spoke with another patient who is a nurse. She told me she really checked this place out, and it was the best place to go. I can also tell you its the best as far as price goes. So if youre thinking of getting lasik. Forget the rest, this place is the best. --------- A follow up - I just had my 4th month check up, and was "cleared" from surgery. That means I dont need to come for check ups any more. Of course I do need to get yearly check ups. Im able to read 20/20 both near and far now! Thats amazing when you consider that 4 months ago, I was 20/800. Lighting, contrast, color, distance and angle still affect my ability to see things near. For example I was fixing a machine and couldnt see the head of a screw to know what kind of screw driver to get. But with the help of a flash light, it became clear. Im still using artificial tears every few hours. Im using a no-name product sold at Walmart for under $2 / 0.5oz. The office tell me its a 6 month healing process, and I know my eyes are still getting better every day. Im looking forward to month 6.

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JA

James Leou

I was referred to this particular location and recommended by friends to have Dr. Ireland perform my surgery. I can honestly say it has been a great decision so far (almost 1 month after surgery). The entire staff at LVI in Tampa is friendly, caring, and welcoming. Prior to the free consultation I conducted my own research, so I had a lot of questions. Taylor and Matt are very knowledgeable and addressed all my concerns. I may have annoyed them with how many questions I asked them, but they were understanding of my concerns and made sure I received an answer to my questions. The surgeon, Dr. Ivan Ireland, was calm, cool, and collected. I never met him prior to the surgery date and I was nervous about the procedure, but he was so composed that I felt much better after he explained the surgery process before even entering the operating room. Throughout the surgery Dr. Ireland informed me of the steps he was taking as he was performing the surgery and what to expect when he completes each step. I am very happy to say my surgery went smoothly. Within 24 hours after my surgery I came back to the office (required post-surgery exam) and was informed that my eyes are healing well and I have 20/20 vision. Matt told me to keep in mind that my vision may fluctuate while my eyes are healing, but he recommended to keep the eyes lubricated with eye drops that act as natural tears. I fortunately did not notice much variation in my vision. This review is my personal recollection of my experience with LVI in Tampa and I am extremely satisfied with my results thus far. It’s a phenomenal feeling for me to be able to see clearly without contacts or glasses, especially considering that I had a very high prescription. Thank you LVI.

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DE

dee Young

My son and I had a horrific experience at the Lasik Eye Institute. After many years of wearing cokebottle thick glasses and later contacts, I gave my 21 year old a graduation gift of Lasik surgery. Since he just completed the welding program, he needed to stop wearing contacts for safety purposes in the environment of intense heat. After the surgery, he was in excruciating pain for the next 12 hours or so. Although we did not think this was normal, we knew there was supposed to be some discomfort and the office would be closed until morning anyway. It was a long hellish night. The next morning, we were informed at the Lasik Institute that the bandage that was put on the corneal flap to hold it shut had come open, causing the pain. A procedure was done to rebandage it and things were better. However, his vision was extremely blurry for weeks. Then we were told perhaps debris had entered the eye when the flap had been open previously. A procedure was done to wash the eye out. After a couple of months since my son could only see well out of one eye, a second surgery was required. Although his vision improved for a few months, now a year later he now has astigmatism (never had before) and often sees double and triple. He evidently was never a good candidate for the procedure to begin with!! He now wears glasses and cannot work as a welder because of his lack of vision in one eye. To top it off, I am a single mother who is now making payments on a $5400 procedure that definitely hurt my son more than helped. Please reconsider getting LASIK and get second opinions on everything!

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GE

George Mcdonald

UPDATE: i am gonna edit and soften my review a tad. To the Lasik Vision Institutes credit they reached out to me after seeing my review and wanted to see me again. But in the meantime, i spoke with St. Lukes and they said that the PRK procedure likely "aged" my eyes at a much quicker rate and forced me to need reading glasses for everything. ( i am currently 47). St. Lukes said dont be quite as hard on Lasik Vison Insitute that although they over-corrected me--my eyes were quite bad from the start. So, I am still stuck, my eyes still stink within 30 feet of an object--but beyond 30 feet, i am good. Problem is most of what happens in life happens within 30 feet. Perhaps the answer is get your eye surgeries before you turn 40. Oh, and ask alot of questions if youre over 40!!!! THE ORGINAL REVIEW:--- Dont be talked into PRK by them! Same price--lousy results! Ive been greatly over-corrected byt them --I now need glasses for EVERYTHING! In some ways I am worse off than before the surgery. Also, my eyes have been misshapen where now I can no longer wear contacts. Worse yet, my eyesite is steadily getting worse every day. Dont buy their groupon--its not worth it. I called them about my problems & they said it must have been a computer error as to why my eyesite is so bad. They want me back in--want to charge me over 100 bucks to -re-dialate my eyes and maybe do another procedure. UGH. I have lots more to say--but just heed warning--look for other options! This experience was life changing all right :(

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