LASIK in Austin area

[A-R]

Anyone had LASIK or similar laser eye surgery in the general Austin/Central Texas area? If so, where did you go, who performed the surgery, what was cost, and are you satisfied/dissatisfied?

[dcphoto]

I had IntraLASIK in 2005 on both eyes. I saw Dr. Shannon Wong at Austin Eye. Their north office is on Jollyville Rd at Pavilion Blvd. http://www.austineye.com/

Cost was approximately $2500 per eye, but I had the Custom IntraLasik which was considerably more expensive.

Results were excellent. The next day my vision was 20/40 (started at 20/200) and the second day after my right eye was 20/10, and my left eye 20/15. After 6 years my right eye has stabilized at 20/20, and my left at 20/30. I'll probably go back for PRK to "touch-up" my left eye this year.

Wherever you end up going, avoid the doc if they still use a mechanical blade to make the flap in your cornea. They've been able to use a laser to make the flap since 2000ish, so anybody who is still using a blade probably isn't up to date with the latest techniques and technologies. Plus, results are more predictable and healing is faster with "blade free lasik."

This is one area where price matters, and you truly get what you pay for. Don't be afraid of a high price tag from a reputable doctor, and don't choose a doctor because his/her price is the lowest!

[VMI77]

Not in the Austin area ....had it in Victoria, at Victoria Eye Center. Cost was $2990 for both eyes. Just had it done in January. My vision was very bad and I'm now seeing about 20/20 in both eyes. I had a little bit of dry eye after the surgery but no serious problems. I've just about forgotten what it was like to wear glasses and don't know why I waited so long to do it.

Based on the description in the link above for "custom" intralasik that's what I had, though I never heard that terminology used.

[eureka40]

I'm an older guy in my fifties. I'm wondering the age of the other guys here who have had that done.

It sounds great, but am I too old to have that done? I could sure use some better eyesight!!

[dcphoto]

My research indicates that an implant (e.g., crystalens) is a better option for people over 50. As the eye ages the cornea hardens, the lens gets cloudy, and lasik isn't designed to correct that. An implant completely replaces the lens, and offers much better (more long lasting) results than laser surgery.

[VMI77]

I'm an older guy in my fifties. I'm wondering the age of the other guys here who have had that done.

It sounds great, but am I too old to have that done? I could sure use some better eyesight!!

Mid-fifties. Having been nearsighted my biggest adjustment is the disappearance of near vision. Now for the close up stuff I have to use reading glasses. It's not as much of a problem as I thought it would be though, after my last try with contacts. I spend most of my time at a computer and I don't have to wear reading glasses for that. I can read a magazine without them, but if the print is any smaller than magazine size I have to don the reading glasses. And I much prefer that if I'm woken in the middle of the night I don't have to fumble around for my glasses to see.

When you get examined for the surgery they'll tell you what your options are. They warned me that my vision was bad enough that I might not get a full correction. When I walked out of the building right after the surgery my vision was sharp and I could read signs in the distance that would have just been indistinguishable blurs without my glasses. At first vision in my right eye seemed a little weaker but now it looks like both eyes are settling in at 20/20.

[biggyin]

I had my done in the Mann Eye institute http://www.manneye.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. very good, no complaints. I was very short sighted since I was around 6, had it done in my late 20's and never looked back since! Been around 3 years now.

[A-R]

I had my done in the Mann Eye institute http://www.manneye.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. very good, no complaints. I was very short sighted since I was around 6, had it done in my late 20's and never looked back since! Been around 3 years now.

that's another one I was considering. how much did you pay?

[biggyin]

i seem to remember it was around $2800 for both eyes, 18 months interest free! I heard they were doing free tests for suitability, booked in on a tuesday and had the surgery on thursday! Another plus in the owners are into hunting and shooting, spend my operation talking about dove hunting with Mann Snr.

[DoubleJ]

I had The Lasik done on Dec 1st. Best Christmas gift EVAR!!!
I'm 31, and shouldn't need "cheaters" till I'm 45. My Rx was 20/2400. srsly. I was legally blind, had worn glasses since 1st grade, so the level of correction isn't anything to be concerned with. They actually over-corrected me, so I am going back later this month to have "An Enhancement" done. Basically, I feel like the one "tech" that did my eye exam rushed me through the exam, which led to a possibly inaccurate Rx. Other than that one single person, everyone at that office has been stellar, and I don't have any qualms about going back, I'd just say to make sure you take your time through the WaveFrontGuided scans part (the corneal mapping).

it cost me about the same as most of y'all, and I did the 18mo financing thing.

I agree with the BladeFree recommendation, as the laser is accurate to within 10microns. the micro-keratome? I dunno. Have the WaveFrontGuided (custom Lasik), even if it's more expensive, it's worth it.

Good luck!

[The Annoyed Man]

Coming to this thread late, but I'm beginning to consider lasik surgery for myself. I'm coming up on age 59 in October. When I had my vision tested at about age 25, it was 20/20 in one eye, and 20/17 in the other. I used to be able to see microbes up close, and a gnat's whiskers at 1,000 yards..............or at least, that's how I remember it every time I pick up my bifocals so that I can go find my reading glasses.

Anyway, I don't know who is good in the DFW area. I see a lot of ads for Kleiman Evangelista, but there have to be others. Does anybody have any experience in this area (NE Tarrant Co.) with any other providers? I know that I don't want to shop based on price alone, but I have no insurance, so when I do this, it's going to all come out of my pocket.

[sjfcontrol]

Since somebody mentioned it above, any recommendations and cost estimates for Crystalens?

[DoubleJ]

Thought I'd give an update on The Lasik. After three months it was determined that I need a second correction on my left eyeball.
This was performed in April, successfully, and after another 3 months, I'm reading at 20/15.

won't need to come back for another year. best decision of my entire life getting this done.

[snatchel]

I dont quite remember what my vision was before lasik, but the military paid for mine. Again--best thing that ever happened to me. Occasional dry eyes, but nothing so serious that it actually bothers me.

[cctcaden]

So if we were to take a vote on this subject then all in favor would say???????


My grandmother was 75 years old when she had her lasik done and it greatly improved her spirits I didn't agree at first but hey seeing is believing.