Key-Whitman Eye Center patient Tommy Hardeman recently stopped by our Dallas eye center for his annual eye health exam. Tommy has been enjoying 20/20 vision for the past eight years, thanks to successful vision correction surgery at Key-Whitman.While you may assume Tommy had LASIK eye surgery at Key-Whitman, he actually underwent an Implantable Collamer® Lens (ICL) procedure – commonly referred to as Implantable Contact Lens surgery.
Key-Whitman patient Tommy Hardeman explains how 20/20 vision after ICL surgery changed his life.If Your Eye Doctor Says You’re Too Nearsighted For Eye Surgery, Ask Key–Whitman For A Second Opinion
Along with getting out of glasses and contacts, the ICL procedure appealed to Tommy because it would correct his nearsightedness and the lens could be removed at a later date if he chose to do so. However, most patients who undergo the ICL procedure at Key-Whitman do so for an entirely different reason – most ICL patients aren’t good candidates for LASIK.
According to Key-Whitman President and Chief Surgeon Jeffrey Whitman, M.D., “When we evaluate someone for LASIK, we look at the thickness of their cornea compared to how nearsighted the patient is. There are a number of people who don’t have a thick enough cornea where we can create a flap and remove tissue safely.
“Fortunately, we offer the Implantable Collamer Lens procedure and other options, which give patients equally good or better vision than LASIK, and again, patients see better right away, just like they do with LASIK.”
Explore Vision Correction Options Only With An Experienced Eye Surgeon
When it comes to vision correction surgery, most people think about LASIK first. LASIK is safe and effective for the vast majority of patients – safer than contact lenses by a long shot – but all patients are not good candidates for LASIK surgery.
The good news is that LASIK isn’t the ONLY option when it comes to vision correction surgery. However, many eye surgeons don’t offer alternatives to LASIK or even tell patients other options exist.
“Unfortunately, some eye doctors tell patients they are not a good candidate for any type of eye surgery, when the patient could be an excellent candidate for ICL. So if you see an eye doctor who is not well versed in ICL, or isn’t qualified to perform the procedure, they may not be able to educate you about ICL. Instead, they could say, ‘You are too nearsighted for LASIK, and you need to keep wearing your glasses and contacts,’” says Dr. Whitman.
So, if you want to get eye surgery, it’s important to seek out an experienced eye surgeon who offers safe and effective alternatives to LASIK, such as ICL, PRK and
minimally-invasive EBK, as well as a variety of high-technology lens implants.
As Dr. Whitman explains, “There are many practices that do LASIK and nothing else and others that offer one type of lens implant for cataract surgery and do nothing else. At Key-Whitman we offer patients all of the latest options for eye surgery. So if there is a procedure that is a good fit for the patient, we have the ability to match the right treatment to that individual.”
Get The Full Story When Pricing Out LASIK Or Other Eye Surgery Procedures
If you want to find a low price on LASIK, you won’t need to search far. But the adage that you get what you pay for is true for eye surgery. You should always compare apples to apples and read the fine print.
Consider the following when choosing an eye surgery practice for your LASIK or other vision correction procedure:
1. Many LASIK-Only Surgery Centers Offer Loss-Leader Pricing.
Some LASIK providers get people through the door by offering low-ball prices, only to tell them they are not a candidate for that exact procedure – OR – the price offered only covers a portion of the services the patient desires. Once you add up your options and do the math, that low-ball price could be a distant memory.
2. LASIK Surgery Services, Packages And Available Technology Vary.
At Key-Whitman we offer a variety of packages and options, based on client needs and budgets – not a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, our patients can opt to include a Lifetime Enhancement Guarantee in their surgery package. We also offer other perks and advanced technology, such as Alcon’s Contoura Vision personalized LASIK technology, that other practices don’t provide.
3. Finance Options Also Vary, So Do The Math.
Like many LASIK providers, Key-Whitman offers financing options. Financing varies, and if you finance your procedure, that typically affects total costs out of pocket. Again, do the math to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when comparing pricing AND financing options.
4. It’s Worth Your Time To Research Eye Doctors And Eye Surgery Practices.
From successful eye surgeries to customer service – a proven track record matters. For example, Dr. Whitman has not only performed thousands of LASIK procedures, he is one of the few eye surgeons in Dallas and Fort Worth who performs ICL. Why not trust your eyes to the best?
Plus, our patients love the TLC they receive from our staff!
Patient Tommy Hardeman shares insight on his experience with Key-Whitman staff.Want To Find Out If YOU Are A Good Candidate For LASIK Or ICL?
We’d love to hear from you! To learn more about the eye surgery options available at Key-Whitman in Dallas or to schedule a LASIK consultation with our team click here.
Photo Source: Adobe Stock
