[ntan]

I'm scheduled for a consultation at Coal Harbour Eye Centre. Does anyone have any experience with LASIK or PRK procedure done here?

Could you please share your experience with them and if possible, how much you paid for the procedure?

Thanks

[SoulCrusher]

I saw they have a promo price of $1250 all in. Not sure about the details tho.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[zoo]

i had prk back in 07
if i could do it all over again, i would have spent the extra cash and went to london eye center in new west
this place has been around a lot longer and has better reviews
dont waste your time or consiltation at coal habour eye center

[quasi]

i had prk back in 07
if i could do it all over again, i would have spent the extra cash and went to london eye center in new west
this place has been around a lot longer and has better reviews
dont waste your time or consiltation at coal habour eye center

Good and bad in both I'm sure. My dad had horrible results from London both times he had it done. First time he couldn't read, watch TV or drive for over 2 months, when you read blueprints for a living it was a bit inconvient. That's not to say that it is normal or even remotley common but it can happen anywhere.

I do agree though when you're talking about your sight money shouldn't be the deciding factor.

[acrophobia]

I had prk done at Coal Harbour 3 years ago, and it was worth every penny. My eyes sometimes get very dry, especially when I wake up, but it sure beats glasses or contacts.

I still have a little bit of haloing at night as well, but I've heard this is common and it doesn't really bother me.

[willystyle]

i had prk back in 07
if i could do it all over again, i would have spent the extra cash and went to london eye center in new west
this place has been around a lot longer and has better reviews
dont waste your time or consiltation at coal habour eye center
What's wrong with Coal Harbour Eye Centre?

[MadMax]

I work in the cosmetic surgery industry and I spoke to a lot of docs. Coal Harbour has an excellent reputation and I went there myself. My eyes were so bad I needed glasses just to get out of bed. Now I'm over 20/20. It took a long while for the dryness to work itself out but I'm 99% now. Dr. Kirshner is the only doc there. Most other places have multiple docs coming in and out so you never know who you're going to get. Yeah, I agree. It was worth every penny.

[GG]

i had prk back in 07
if i could do it all over again, i would have spent the extra cash and went to london eye center in new west
this place has been around a lot longer and has better reviews
dont waste your time or consiltation at coal habour eye center
CAn you tell me whats wrong with it????





I work in the cosmetic surgery industry and I spoke to a lot of docs. Coal Harbour has an excellent reputation and I went there myself. My eyes were so bad I needed glasses just to get out of bed. Now I'm over 20/20. It took a long while for the dryness to work itself out but I'm 99% now. Dr. Kirshner is the only doc there. Most other places have multiple docs coming in and out so you never know who you're going to get. Yeah, I agree. It was worth every penny.

same here my eye sight is so fucking bad its not even funny anymore


9.0 for the right 7.5 for the left


makes me worry im going blind or something

[MadMax]

CAn you tell me whats wrong with it????







same here my eye sight is so fucking bad its not even funny anymore


9.0 for the right 7.5 for the left


makes me worry im going blind or something

That is bad. Mine was in the 5.0 range. Thing is, if you go to them for a procedure they give you the most comprehensive eye exam I've ever had (and I've had a lot). I can't say enough good things about that place. Nice office, great staff, and awesome care.

I also like how they explained the pros and cons about Lasik vs. PRK. Lasik gives you the result faster but it involves cutting the eye. PRK, the older method, takes about two weeks to get the result but no cutting of the eye is required. This maintains the integrity of the eye. With Lasik, if you scuba dive, box or do anything else that puts pressure on the eye (atmospheric or physical) you can run into problem. PRK is what Air Force pilots get because the G-forces from flying supersonic jets don't cause any problems.

[GG]

thx for the feedback man

i have a consultation early next month with Coal harbor


guess im gonna with PRK than if im ready


co worker was telling me how great lasik is etc, he did his at London eye 2 months ago


paid $3g
saying they have great service, and follow ups etc

[willystyle]

I agree with everything that MadMax has said so far.

My astagmatism was at -3.75 on my right eye, and -1.25 on my left, which is RARE, and I was promised that I would get 20/20 on my left and 25/20 on my right. They delivered.

2 years after my surgery and I am a happy camper. My sister just got it done a few weeks ago at Coal Harbour for $1500 (reg. cost is $2600), everything included (except wavefront). You should look into it.

I've been to London Eye Place, I can't comment on whether they are good or not, but my initial impression is that they weren't as comprehensive with their consultation as CHEC, and like MadMax suggested, they have multiple doctors on site, as oppose to one from Coal Harbour. Mind you a very reputable doctor (I googled him prior to my surgery).

I believe with your prescription, PRK will be the only option for you. LASIK will not be sufficient for your prescription.

[GG]

thx for ur input


wats except wavefront

[MadMax]

I don't remember the exact explanation but wavefront is an additional measurement taken to chart the aberrations in the cornea. The computer that controls the laser uses this to fix these aberrations for a more consistent result. Some patients benefit from this and some do not but it will be recommended after the examination as to whether or not you will benefit from this. It usually costs and extra 150.00 per eye at Coal Harbour.

[Klobbersaurus]

i got prk done at coal harbour in july, worth every penny, been about 3 weeks since i got it and i am seeing better everyday, all the staff there were really nice and explained everything they were going to do, the worst was the pain after the first day but after that, it was not bad, nothing eye drops and some ativan cant fix

[willystyle]

I don't remember the exact explanation but wavefront is an additional measurement taken to chart the aberrations in the cornea. The computer that controls the laser uses this to fix these aberrations for a more consistent result. Some patients benefit from this and some do not but it will be recommended after the examination as to whether or not you will benefit from this. It usually costs and extra 150.00 per eye at Coal Harbour.
Yes, it has to do with the thickness of the cornea. Apparently, most asians are susceptible to having thin cornea, so wavefront is recommended for tissue sparring.

[zoo]

Since 07 when i had laser eye surgery from coal harbour eye center, i noticed a year and a half later that my sight has been disingrating(sp?)
i called back and they said if i wanted to get my eyes checked i would have had to pay this stupid fee. I thought i had free check ups and a life time warranty. I wasent pleased when I called back and spoke with Nigel. its now 2011 and i feel that my eyes have disingrated a tad more more sinced i phoned back 1.5 years ago to get my eyes checked out

[GG]

^


shit dude!!!!!

i thought on their website, it says lifetime warranty or some shit like that


clearly states that they gurantee it etc


how much is the fee that they are asking?


perhaps its better to get it checked up, if its not an insane amount. Or try to discuss with them regarding warranty. Afterall, they are your visions.

[zoo]

they wanted me to pay a fee for them to re check my eyes
80 bucks or somthing. I just emailed them, if I dont hear from them I will phone them again next week and see whats up

[gdoh]

bump

im getting my eyes done at lasik md in surrey for $2300 all in, im getting the PRK advanced and im just wondering if this is a good price??? any recommendations??

and i get lifetime coverage for a touch up all i have to do is get my eyes tested every year

[willystyle]

Since 07 when i had laser eye surgery from coal harbour eye center, i noticed a year and a half later that my sight has been disingrating(sp?)
i called back and they said if i wanted to get my eyes checked i would have had to pay this stupid fee. I thought i had free check ups and a life time warranty. I wasent pleased when I called back and spoke with Nigel. its now 2011 and i feel that my eyes have disingrated a tad more more sinced i phoned back 1.5 years ago to get my eyes checked out

they wanted me to pay a fee for them to re check my eyes
80 bucks or somthing. I just emailed them, if I dont hear from them I will phone them again next week and see whats up
I had problems with my eye sight about a year ago as I was noticing some blurriness in one of my eyes. I scheduled an appointment with Coal Harbour, and had my eyes checked, without paying a penny.

bump

im getting my eyes done at lasik md in surrey for $2300 all in, im getting the PRK advanced and im just wondering if this is a good price??? any recommendations??

and i get lifetime coverage for a touch up all i have to do is get my eyes tested every year
If you do follow through with Lasik MD, make sure that you've purchased additional options that cover future issues that you may have. As I understand, Lasik MD's basic coverage plan doesn't cover any future problems that you may have, that may incur additional expenses.

I would look into Coal Harbour and see if they still have that promotion going for $1500.

[gdoh]

i made an appointment for consultation at coal harbour for thursday and am trying to get a hold of pacific laser eye..... so blurriness and what else would be problems? did they fix your eyes for free?? because like i said i have lifetime touch up if i start to lose my eyesight again

thanks

[gdoh]

bump for help^

[GG]

so i went in coal harbor today for consultatoin


i cant do LAsik since my prescription is too high

PRK is the method for me



i put down $300 deposit

however im getting mix reviews now and im a bit iffy doing the surgery or not


i called back


she was kind enough to give me one day to think about it, and if i refuse i can get my $300 back



howevr thoughts?


the side effect worries me

ppl around me are telling me to wait etc etc

cant decide now...shit

[willystyle]

i made an appointment for consultation at coal harbour for thursday and am trying to get a hold of pacific laser eye..... so blurriness and what else would be problems? did they fix your eyes for free?? because like i said i have lifetime touch up if i start to lose my eyesight again

thanks

so i went in coal harbor today for consultatoin


i cant do LAsik since my prescription is too high

PRK is the method for me



i put down $300 deposit

however im getting mix reviews now and im a bit iffy doing the surgery or not


i called back


she was kind enough to give me one day to think about it, and if i refuse i can get my $300 back



howevr thoughts?


the side effect worries me

ppl around me are telling me to wait etc etc

cant decide now...shit
Halos, starbursts, dry eyes, extra sensitive to light to name just a few. You may or may not get any of these symptoms. My sister, for example, is about a month and a half in, and she has ZERO symptoms, just waiting for her vision to heal perfectly.

For example, I had problems with halos, starbursts, and dry eyes in the first few months. 6 months post-surgery, most of my symptoms were gone. However, it can take up to a year for you to fully recover. I have light sensitivity issues still till this day, where I must wear sunglasses outdoor on a very sunny day. Which is fine, cause you should be wearing sunglasses anyway.

I performed PRK.

[GG]

^

i been researching all night


seems most review is positive


but some say its not as great


spoke to my parents and they are against it, just because there are risk just like anything else.


Spoke to a friend, he is against it since his mom got it done couple years ago


and now she cant drive at night, becuz it makes her dizzy due to sensitive to light


damn, now im paranoid now not knowing what to do



If i take 2 weeks off thru work, i guess sick leave will not cover it despite its sth to do with medical.
they probably demand me to use my vacation?


its like a gamble, like you said I MAY or MAY NOT get any of the symptom. If im unlucky........than im fucked

[willystyle]

^

i been researching all night


seems most review is positive


but some say its not as great


spoke to my parents and they are against it, just because there are risk just like anything else.


Spoke to a friend, he is against it since his mom got it done couple years ago


and now she cant drive at night, becuz it makes her dizzy due to sensitive to light


damn, now im paranoid now not knowing what to do



If i take 2 weeks off thru work, i guess sick leave will not cover it despite its sth to do with medical.
they probably demand me to use my vacation?


its like a gamble, like you said I MAY or MAY NOT get any of the symptom. If im unlucky........than im fucked
Well, if you are this paranoid about it. I suggest that you don't get it. As the first few weeks post-surgery of PRK is pretty much a living hell. Dry eyes, light sensitivity, halos and star bursts (at night) is VERY COMMON. You definitely won't be feeling the best and would be in a shitty mood most of the time. Your eyes will fluctuate everyday, some days are better than others. Some days you can read and watch TV, other days you can't.

However, if you can overcome all of this, and stay positive, then go ahead and get it done. For most people that have done it would say that it's one of the best investments they've ever did.

[gdoh]

Halos, starbursts, dry eyes, extra sensitive to light to name just a few. You may or may not get any of these symptoms. My sister, for example, is about a month and a half in, and she has ZERO symptoms, just waiting for her vision to heal perfectly.

For example, I had problems with halos, starbursts, and dry eyes in the first few months. 6 months post-surgery, most of my symptoms were gone. However, it can take up to a year for you to fully recover. I have light sensitivity issues still till this day, where I must wear sunglasses outdoor on a very sunny day. Which is fine, cause you should be wearing sunglasses anyway.

I performed PRK.

yea they said there shouldnt be any halo, starburts because im getting the Advanced PRK

i think recovery all depends on how well you take care of your eyes post surgery, some people take care of them for a bit then stop before they are done healing


the difference between advanced and regular prk is (what they told me) is that the advanced will cover your whole pupil and make sure to leave more for later years if you need too, where as the regular prk will take a chunk out of the center and leave the outer parts of the pupil and creating halos and what not

[Spidey]

i went to London eye 2 years ago and paid about 2700. I have heard good things about Coal harbour, but I have never had to pay any follow up appts with London Eye centre. They have a lifetime warranty as well, and I even went in for additional eye exams because I needed them to fill out a form for work, and they had no problem doing so. From what I believe they are the pioneers of laser eye, at least in BC.

[highfive]

I've been to both Coal Harbour and Pacific Eye Centre for consultations.

Coal Harbour

Pros - Staff were knowledgeable and you go through many machines and tests. They dilate your eyes and check everything as almost you're about to go to surgery. I was suggested to use PRK with tissue savings. They say my cornea is thick enough to do lasik even though I have a high prescription but they work on a conservative basis and recommend me PRK. Place is very organized and new.

Cons - Didn't get to meet the doctor. Everything else seems good.

Pacific Eye Centre

Pros - I met with Dr. Holland, very friendly man. Very confident on that I will have PRK and i'm a very good candidate.

Cons - Staff weren't too great. Didn't go through as many machines as I did at Coal Harbour. My eyes weren't dilated this time so I guess my consultation was very light. One thing I didn't like was I sat through 10 mins of video watching in the beginning. it was more of a commercial of athletes telling me how great it is.

The risk of Halos and stuff exists but it's very minimal. I think it's more of post-surgery care than the surgery itself.
Coal Harbour quoted me 1750 and Pacific quoted me 3900. I'm not price sensitive but I feel Coal Harbour would take care of me a lot better.

Plus I have a friend who went there and it was fine with her.

[the_law82]

Definitely consider the risks of unwanted side effects. May also want to look at statistics of complications if there are any available on the net. 1% complication rate is still a risk that you have to consider; it's your eyes, you only have one pair.

My girlfriend works at a specialized optometry office and they get a lot of post-lazik complication cases to try and fix with glasses or contact lenses.

Having said that though, of all the friends that I know that have had it done, they love it and haven't had any complications (or don't want to share) yet...

[Spidey]

Definitely consider the risks of unwanted side effects. May also want to look at statistics of complications if there are any available on the net. 1% complication rate is still a risk that you have to consider; it's your eyes, you only have one pair.

My girlfriend works at a specialized optometry office and they get a lot of post-lazik complication cases to try and fix with glasses or contact lenses.

Having said that though, of all the friends that I know that have had it done, they love it and haven't had any complications (or don't want to share) yet...

There are risks, but there are probably mre risk wearing contacts since most people don't take care of their contacts.

[gdoh]

i used the contact cleaner were you put it in the case and you have to leave it sit for x amount of hours or else it will burn the fuckin color out your eyes cuz its not done and my eyes still got fucked from wearing contacts =|

appointment for coal harbour tomo and now im thinking of cancelling my one over at pacific from what i just heard from highfive

i am booked to get mine done at lasik md in surrey for sept 30 but im still looking around mostly for pricing but lasik md does price match and give lifetime free of charge touch up as long as you go to the optometrist every year

[SecludedGirl]

I'm also in the same boat as you guys.. i went to coal harbour for a consultation last week and was advised that prk would be the best method for me. I also put down my $300 and am anxiously waiting for the date to arrive in October. There was an opening end of august, but they said that since I haven't been contact lens free for long enough, that i would have to wait 8 weeks! So now in the months to come, I am also questioning it as well.. but I also know of people who have done it here and have come out with great results, so I'm just hoping for the best here..

[highfive]

i used the contact cleaner were you put it in the case and you have to leave it sit for x amount of hours or else it will burn the fuckin color out your eyes cuz its not done and my eyes still got fucked from wearing contacts =|

appointment for coal harbour tomo and now im thinking of cancelling my one over at pacific from what i just heard from highfive

i am booked to get mine done at lasik md in surrey for sept 30 but im still looking around mostly for pricing but lasik md does price match and give lifetime free of charge touch up as long as you go to the optometrist every year

If you have time, just go to Pacific Eye Centre. (It's Free. Lol) They were the first people to bring the laser eye surgery to Vancouver. I think Dr. Lin was part of the laser research etc... But it's best to everyone here to not wear your contacts for a while before going to see the specialist. The only thing that makes me want to consider Pacific Eye Centre is the doctor is good IMO.

At Pacific Eye Centre, Dr. Holland only work Tues/Fri. Whereas Coal Harbour, Dr. ______ (forgot how to spell his name) works all the time and he's the only doctor there. The ppl there told me he does around 20 surgeries a week. I believe 3/4 of them are PRK. So he does have lots of "practice"? lol

My friend's co-workers went to Coal Harbour and she got good feedback from them too.

Like I hear stories good/bad from all of these places. I have ppl who said London Eye Centre is good, but they have so many doctors there, you don't know who'll be helping you.

[Spidey]

oh ya, consultation for london eye was free too.. and they got me in literally, 2 weeks from the day of my consultation.

gdoh:

i bought that cleaner once thinking it was just another disinfectant/storage liquid... i thought the container was cool.. i put my contact in after only 3 hours because i was going out and fucken hell i thought i went blind when i felt that searing pain in my eye!!!! i had to pry my out open rip the contact out lol... everyone i know who has used that has done the same not realizing you HAVE to leave it soaked for at least.. i think it was 8 hours so the ph neutralizes... everytime i see people use it, i cringe.

[beatdownvictim]

Last Summer I did lasik while my wife got PRK done with Dr Lin, I was able to drive the next day but I didn't, I did drive the day after and went to work!

best money spent, too bad my eyes didn't really stabilize until a year ago or else I would have gotten it done sooner!

Had a friend do PRK at coal harbour and his eyes are fine as well, told my other friend to just go to coal harbour since its halft he price of Pacific Eye Center but he said he dont care about $$

[gdoh]

so i just got back from coal harbour and i liked it especially how much experience the surgeon has =] they seemed very professional so i think im gunna cancel my appointment with lasik md and get it done here because the small differences that made me change my mind

[JSilver]

Had a friend get PRK done at Coal Harbour Eye Centre.

He said the first day after the surgery his eyes hurt like hell. They give you two drops for pain, one for mild and one for extreme pain. He couldn't really describe how the pain felt but it was more so of a shampoo in your eyes kind of pain he claimed.

Other than that he's extremely happy he has gotten PRK. His vision actually got WAY better, saying that its 20/25 (Correct me if I'm wrong) now.

I'm thinking about calling in for a consultation as well to Coal Harbour.

[gdoh]

^pain differs from person to person

get prk then you dont have to worry about getting hit in the head and fucking your shit up

[Spidey]

prk the first 2-3 days was not pleasant that is for sure.. i refused to use the drops for pain but i did take the t3s that were prescribed. if you play any type of sports or are active, go with prk.

20/25? Was his eyes really bad before? because I would expect my eyes to be close if not better than 20/20 after laser eye... My one year followup I was reading from the 20/15 with either just my left or right eye... I had the snellen chart done again just a couple months ago and was reading off the 20/10 line for each eye (a couple mistakes though) but I could easily read from the 20/10 line with both eyes open.

I was about-3.75 each eye with astigmatism before the prk

http://www.mdsupport.org/snellen.html

[highfive]

so i just got back from coal harbour and i liked it especially how much experience the surgeon has =] they seemed very professional so i think im gunna cancel my appointment with lasik md and get it done here because the small differences that made me change my mind

Good. Glad you liked them. They were very professional when I went. IMO much better than Pacific. Although, I didn't get to see the doctor, did you see him today? When's your surgery date? (if you booked it)

One thing I forgot to say, I have bad vision ok. And at Coal Harbour, the guy kept making me read these small dinky lines..i believe on the right side of it, it's 21 or 22 or 25. Are those letters for 20-15? like better than 20/20 vision?

Cuz at Pacific, they made me read it off the line at 20 which I could easily. My gf was laughing at how I only got some of the ones right at Coal Harbour and all of them right at Pacific.

[willystyle]

prk the first 2-3 days was not pleasant that is for sure.. i refused to use the drops for pain but i did take the t3s that were prescribed. if you play any type of sports or are active, go with prk.

20/25? Was his eyes really bad before? because I would expect my eyes to be close if not better than 20/20 after laser eye... My one year followup I was reading from the 20/15 with either just my left or right eye... I had the snellen chart done again just a couple months ago and was reading off the 20/10 line for each eye (a couple mistakes though) but I could easily read from the 20/10 line with both eyes open.

I was about-3.75 each eye with astigmatism before the prk

Snellen Chart (http://www.mdsupport.org/snellen.html)
Im 20/25 on my right eye. Some people won't get perfect vision if their prescription was really bad before.

[JSilver]

^pain differs from person to person

get prk then you dont have to worry about getting hit in the head and fucking your shit up

Of course it does, I'm just mentioning how it turned out for my friend lol.


20/25? Was his eyes really bad before? because I would expect my eyes to be close if not better than 20/20 after laser eye... My one year followup I was reading from the 20/15 with either just my left or right eye... I had the snellen chart done again just a couple months ago and was reading off the 20/10 line for each eye (a couple mistakes though) but I could easily read from the 20/10 line with both eyes open.

I was about-3.75 each eye with astigmatism before the prk

Snellen Chart (http://www.mdsupport.org/snellen.html)

I'm not exactly too sure if I have the numbers correct, but his vision is better than 20/20. If I've been told correctly, you can achieve better than 20/20. He can literally make out a persons mouth movement from inside their vehicle pretty far away. Helps a lot for the field of work he's in.

[gdoh]

Good. Glad you liked them. They were very professional when I went. IMO much better than Pacific. Although, I didn't get to see the doctor, did you see him today? When's your surgery date? (if you booked it)

no i never saw the dr and i booked it for oct the 17, they are all booked until oct

[Spidey]

Of course it does, I'm just mentioning how it turned out for my friend lol.



I'm not exactly too sure if I have the numbers correct, but his vision is better than 20/20. If I've been told correctly, you can achieve better than 20/20. He can literally make out a persons mouth movement from inside their vehicle pretty far away. Helps a lot for the field of work he's in.

you can be better than 20/20.. the second number would be lower the better yoru acuity is... mine is at 20/15. i am going to print the snellen chart off at home and see if I can make out the majority of the 20/10 line lol.

[JSilver]

Haha I see. Sorry for the pun.

[highfive]

yea they said there shouldnt be any halo, starburts because im getting the Advanced PRK

i think recovery all depends on how well you take care of your eyes post surgery, some people take care of them for a bit then stop before they are done healing


the difference between advanced and regular prk is (what they told me) is that the advanced will cover your whole pupil and make sure to leave more for later years if you need too, where as the regular prk will take a chunk out of the center and leave the outer parts of the pupil and creating halos and what not

I called Coal Harbour yesterday to double check my surgery date in September. I end up asking them what's the difference between regular/advanced prk. The woman said advanced prk is wavefront. If you don't need it, they wouldn't recommend it to you. So I'm not really sure what to say now..maybe I'll just talk to the doctor about it on that day.

[gdoh]

its an extra 150 per eye

[highfive]

yeah. I'm only paying more for the tissue savings.

[gdoh]

getting my eyes done tomo =] excited

[gdoh]

so i got my eyes done yesterday... highly recommend to any1 who is having thoughts about it, as soon as they were done i could see, its fucking awesome i want to everything lol but the sun was SOOOO BRIGHT even through the glasses. the pain for me isnt much of a pain but just annoying like i have a hair in my eye and cant open it. when that happens i just take the drops ffor pain. cant really do much after the surgery cuz it hurts the eyes to read or watch tv(for me anyways) even know itskinda hard to read up close things but being able to see things is amazing!

[LiquidTurbo]

bump. any updates from anyone? I got PRK scheduled for this wednesday!

[ShadowBun]

so i got my eyes done yesterday... highly recommend to any1 who is having thoughts about it, as soon as they were done i could see, its fucking awesome i want to everything lol but the sun was SOOOO BRIGHT even through the glasses. the pain for me isnt much of a pain but just annoying like i have a hair in my eye and cant open it. when that happens i just take the drops ffor pain. cant really do much after the surgery cuz it hurts the eyes to read or watch tv(for me anyways) even know itskinda hard to read up close things but being able to see things is amazing!

wow
how much did it cost?

[LiquidTurbo]

They have a promo, $1500 everything included.

[bad5oh]

Had my eyes done here Oct 11,2011. Couldn't be happier. Paid $1500 tax free all inclusive.

[LiquidTurbo]

Well it's been 24 days since I had my eyes zapped. Things are still blurry, near and far, 'ghosting' or semi double vision. I hope things get better in the coming weeks.

[absolute_zer0o]

im looking to do intra-lase sbk. any recommendation where i shld go?

[absolute_zer0o]

i went to London eye 2 years ago and paid about 2700. I have heard good things about Coal harbour, but I have never had to pay any follow up appts with London Eye centre. They have a lifetime warranty as well, and I even went in for additional eye exams because I needed them to fill out a form for work, and they had no problem doing so. From what I believe they are the pioneers of laser eye, at least in BC.

can i use you as a referral in london eye centre/.?

[IMASA]

Bumping an old thread. Has anyone had their eyes done at Coal Harbour lately? I've thinking about booking an exam there to see if I'm a candidate.

[lowside67]

I had a consult at Pacific Eye Centre with Dr. Lin and was very impressed. He managed to catch a rare defect in my eye that no optometrist before him has ever been able to tell me about - which would make it very dangerous to perform Lasik on me, even though my eye is a good candidate in most other ways. He said the best way [for me] to evaluate other places is to see if they are willing to perform Lasik on me. They are a lot more money than the other alternatives (prices range from $1550 to $2050 per eye depending on how difficult they are to correct) although that includes a follow up with your actual doctor the next day.

Mark

[negged.]

I did my surgery mid September at Coal Harbour Eye Centre and while I'm still recovering, my vision is great right now. Was $1,399 for both eyes and I did PRK because I do a lot of sports and don't want the potential of the flap to open up if I did Lasik. I would highly recommend.

[MoBettah]

Why is there such a large difference in pricing between clinics?

[LiquidTurbo]

Haha. If you do your research you will realize sometimes you are paying more for nothing.

After all, it's the computer/machine that does the survey. I really enjoyed that Coal Harbour Eye centre did for me. Best $1500 I ever spent.

[MoBettah]

That's just it.

Do the doctors do anything in this process? It seems to all be automated by the machine, even the initial assessment is done by a machine.

[Oleophobic]

It is automated. Sometimes you pay more depending on the procedure (wavefront, LASIK but using a laser to cut the flap, etc.) but for standard PRK/LASIK I can't really see a big difference as it is largely automated. The surgeon ultimately decides whether you're a candidate but outside of that it's all up to the machine. You can argue that experience is a huge factor (and I would agree) but pretty much all the surgeons here have done over 50,000 procedures.

Anyway, I had PRK done at Coal Harbour at the end of July and it was seriously the best $1500 I have ever spent. No pain whatsoever and only had discomfort for one day where I couldn't keep my eyes open for more than a few seconds since they were tearing up a lot. Other than that one day my recovery went really smoothly.

Just had my 3 month follow-up and was able to see 20/20 each eye, 20/15 with both eyes together. I do see halos and starbursts at night but they aren't so bad and do not affect my driving. Hopefully it goes away in the next few months.

edit: I should mention that one of my friends had his PRK surgery at Coal Harbour as well a week before mine. He also experienced no pain in his recovery but his eyes teared up a lot for the first 2-3 days (he wasn't able to stare at a screen until like day 3 whereas I was able to right away except for that one day). He doesn't see halos/starbursts at night, however.

[hamsup]

from the time you contact them.. how long does it take to actually get a surgery date...
(time from consultation to surgery date)...

[IMASA]

My wife had her consultation in early Oct and will be getting the surgery in early Dec.

[subordinate]

Eh for those that say that places are all the same, just how each company markets.

If that was true then why does a place like Pacific eye centre have a long standing reputation. Cops/canucks/firefighters, etc, go to him.

Friend went to him, his eyes weren't even 100% stable, he was around 22 I think?
And his vision has been great, no problems.

Maybe the more expensive doc's can recognize a potential issue, etc, will look at the health of your eyes more. Technology upgrades more frequent? I have no idea but there's a reason why there are so little negative reviews out there on Pacific. I wouldn't just assume technology is the same for all places and go to the cheapest ones.

Appreciate the updates on the places and procedure, I'd love to get laser in the future. Glasses suck.

[MadMax]

You guys that had it done fairly recently are lucky. I had mine done about five or six years ago and it was about 2800 for both eyes using PRK. The good news is that I'm still happy I spent the money. My eyes are still doing great.