This is a review for Lasik consultation only, not the procedure. The procedure will be reviewed separately. -------------------------------------- After weeks of researching online and asking everyone I know who had gotten Lasik, I decided to get consultations from Updegraff Vision, LasikPlus and Eye Institute of West Florida. Here's the break down: Consultation: 1) LasikPlus 2) Updegraff 3) Eye Institute The consultation at LasikPlus was wonderful. Lisa, the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, was great from beginning to end. Here, you get only one assistant who performs all the measurements and even tells you the cost at the end. The part I like the most about my consultation is that Lisa explained to me what each piece of equipment measures as she's about to perform that measurement. At Updegraff and Eye Institute, no explanation was given, and I was being handed from one assistant to another. At Updegraff, each machine is placed is separate rooms, so I was constantly in a room, then wait area, back into a room, then wait area, and so forth. Also, whatever drops that were used for dilating my eyes, I was told that they would be extra strong. Well, they were strong alright because it took me 2 days to gain my normal sight back. The worst 24 hrs ever because I couldn't see my phone at all to use! As far as getting ready for the procedure and afterwards, if you choose LasikPlus or Eye Institute, there'll be medications you'll have to get. Prescriptions will be given when you schedule your appt. Updegraff, on the other hand, has all the drops for you in a kit. No need for you to go to the pharmacy. I like this convenience. Meeting doctor who will perform the procedure: 1) Updegraff 2) Eye Institute 3) LasikPlus (did not meet doctor) Towards the end of 2 consultations, Updegraff and Eye Institute, I did get to meet the doctor. Dr Updegraff did some sort of measurement and approved me for Lasik, but seemed a bit in a hurry. Dr Robert Weinstock also did some sort of measurement and approved me. Although, at one point I wasn't sure what was going on because I was never told what happened, but 2 other doctors came into the room and gave me the same measurement. The assistant said something along the line of them making triple sure everything is accurate, but it didn't feel right. I already knew I wouldn't get my procedure done here so I didn't press on. At LasikPlus, and based on my research all LasikPlus across the country, the patients don't get to meet the doctor until the day of the procedure. After the assistant was done with certain measurements, I was asked to wait to see Dr Petit O.D. He did some more measurements and approved me for Lasik. But he's not the one who's going to do the procedure, instead Dr Groden will, though I won't see him until the day of. Due to this reason in the end I ruled out LasikPlus. Condition of office and equipment: 1) LasikPlus 2) Updegraff 3) Eye Institute LasikPlus was a cleanest and the machines looked clean. Updegraff was also clean, but some machines had signs of wear and tear. Eye Institute's building is huge from the outside, but once inside It looks like the reception and waiting areas take up most of the space. The rooms I was in were small and cramped with equipment. The equipment also seemed worn out due to usage but the users not taking care of them well. Cost: 1) LasikPlus 2) Updegraff 3) West Institute LasikPlus had a promo at the time, so my procedure would have costed around $4,000. Updegraff first told me it'd be $5,200, but after I said my friends have gotten it cheaper here, I was given a 15% discount, so final bill was $4,420. West Institute was around $5,000. I was most disappointed at how this place handled the cost issue. After all the measurements were done, I asked the assistant how much it'd cost. She said that someone else handles that part so told me to wait in the waiting area. A few minutes later a lady called me in to her office and proceeded to schedule an appt for the procedure and was about to hand me the prescriptions needed to be filled. I was like, Ummm, how much does it cost? She then finally told me. Closest to home, easier for follow-ups: 1) Updegraff 2) LasikPlus 3) Eye Institute Updegraff is the closest to my house, making it so much easier for someone to drive me to the follow-up appt the next day. Also, Updegraff has a car service that will pick you up and/or drop you off if you need it. I nice gentleman did just that for me the day of my appt. I ruled out Eye Institute immediately because I didn't feel like I was treated as a valued patient. I was then torn between LasikPlus and Updegraff. In the end I chose Updegraff Vision because I met and was examined by Dr Updegraff during my consultation. What drove me away from LasikPlus was not meeting the doctor until the day of the procedure.
