Vision Correction Surgery - referrals

I'd love to hear feedback from people who have had or seriously considered vision correction procedures (ie: Lasik). There seem to be a good number of procedures and of course wherever you go, they have the best one.

Please let me know who you've used/talked to and who you would or would not recommend.

Thanks!

 

JenTimC - I had my eyes done in 1991 and I love it! I used The Eye Center, and they were pretty good. I did not have Dr. Boutros (the one in the ads) but my Doctor was still pretty good and I now have 20/20 vision. I even forget that I wore glasses at all, and that is saying a lot since I had to where them since 3rd grade.
I believe the equipment has been upgraded and is more accurate then when I had it done. I highly recommend the surgery. Please complete and submit the attached Application Background Questionnaire with your application. Submission of this form is optional. Data collected will be used only in the aggregate, to assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts. Consideration for this job will not be affected by failure to submit the form.

 

I had Lasik surgery done back in 2000. I went to The Lasik Center headed by Dr. Whitman and Dr. Pereau. They have several offices in this area but I think the main office is located in Bethesda. This the same place that did Tiger Woods' surgery and other local celebs. Not that that has anything do with finding a good surgeon, but if Tiger Woods trusts them with his eyes...Dr.Pereau actually did the surgery on my eyes and I could not have been happier with the results. Sometimes it's hard to even believe that I ever wore contacts/eyeglasses. TLC is a bit on the pricey side ($5000 back then), but I wanted to make sure that I had a well qualified doctor and both of them are. I believe Dr.Whitman is one of the pioneers of lasik eye surgery.

 

I highly recommend Dr. Boutros at the The Eye Center, on the web at http://www.theeyecenter.com/ He advertsises a lot, but he is very good. I can personally vouch for him because he actually performed my procedure.

 

Dr. Boutrous has done the surgery for 3 of my friends and they ALL are extremely pleased.

 

I used Dr. Pereau at Whitten Laser Eye in 2001 and am very pleased. I had the surgery done in Reston, so it was fairly convenient as well.

 

Thanks for all the posts. I had a consult w/Dr. Boutros' center this week. I know that The Laser (Lasik) Center offers a lifetime guarantee - whereas if you need enhancements you only pay the difference of retail prices from when you had it originally. But not sure if anyone else does.

Has anyone tried the "Custom" Lasik procedures? How bout Intacs? (don't even know if this is readily available yet - they insert a ring into or around your cornea instead of cutting a flap).

 

Have any of you with astigmatism had laser surgery? I'd love to dump my contacts/glasses but heard that at least originally astigmatism wasn't supported for lasik/etc.

 

I was badly nearsighted and also had astigmatism. Back in 1983 I had radial keratotomy performed by Dr. Robert Johnston of Leesburg. At that time at least, I was his most challenging case and happy to advise that 21 years later I am still not wearing glasses or contacts. Dr. Johnston remains in business and of course is now performing Lasik as well as other procedures.

I found him to be the most reassuring Doctor and highly recommend him.

 

I would highly recommend Dr. Whitten who is associated with TLC at http://www.whittenlasereye.com/.

For person who asked about astigmatism, I had lasik in 2000 and don't recall that being one of the problems. The things that had to be checked are the size of the prescription/astigmastism you need corrected versus the amount of tissue you have available in your eye. I would highly recommend going to at least 2 different places and have free consults to see what each place says before deciding.

 

I would recommend Optimax in London, UK (www.optimax.co.uk). My wife and I had PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) there in 1999 to correct our nearsightedness (and I had an astigmatism). We are still both without glasses to this day. It only cost about $1500 USD for both eyes, too. Today they are doing Lasik for about $1800 USD for both eyes.

I don't suppose this information is much use to many of you, although you may want to consider taking a vacation to London and getting Lasik while you are over there. The cost of the vacation + surgery would still be less than some of the procedures conducted here! [8D]

 

I've decided to go with Dr. Whitten in the Reston TLC office.

FYI, Dr. Boutrous' Eye Center charges you $100 for the consultation exam if you decide NOT to use their services for your procedure. TLC does not charge for the consultation even if you go elsewhere.

~Thanks everyone for your help~

 

I know this is a late reply but PLEASE be sure and check out http://www.surgicaleyes.org BEFORE having anything done.

--Louis

 

So I'd love to hear people's experiences with the actual procedure & most especially the healing/recovery process. How long did it take? What did you go through...etc.

Had the procedure last week and I'd like to compare notes so to speak. My world is still fairly blurry (although I can see w/out my glasses which is itself is a small miracle). I do feel as if I am wearing old, dirty contact lenses.

Thanks[8D]

 

Has anyone heard anything/used Dr. Callahan at the See Clearly clinic in Tysons Corner or Dr. Clinch at University Ophthalmic Consultants in Chevy Chase MD? My health insurance offers a discounted rate for these two surgeons, so I was going to look into it. Thanks!

 

I used Dr. Rajpal at See Clearly Vision in Tyson's back in 2001 - he did a great job! He also performed the surgery on a number of my co-workers and friends. They were a little more expensive than Dr. Bhoutros back then - am not sure what the pricing is like now.

 

JenTimC-
It's been almost a year since your procedure...are you 20/20?

 

Well I get to be a special case. I was 20/40 so was going to get the enhancement but then I got pregnant. So when you're pregnant your eyesight goes all kooky and an enhancement is out of the question anyway (I'd definitely need the valium). I have to wear my glasses all the time BUT they are a WAY better perscription and I can function w/out them which is a big change.

I will be having the enhancement once I stop nursing the baby (apparently you have the same kooky eye inducing hormones while nursing & pregnant so they wait a couple months after you stop). I'll give an update once the enhancement is done. I can't wait!

 

Has Lasik this morning at TLC in reston with Dr. Whitten.
No problems so far. Definitely take the valium beforehand. I was so chicken...
Took seconds and after a nap and resting my eyes all is well!

 

I also used Dr. Perraut in Reston. No problems.