Dr. Chynn responds and explains why you would want the no-flap procedure follow-up conversation with Timothy D. (November 12, 2008)
Dr. Chynn:
I appreciate your response to my inquiries; but to be honest, I have likely chosen an eye doctor that will perform LASIK surgery on my eyes. I had a consultation with Dr. Raymond Fong — you may have heard his name. He is well known in the Asian community in Chinatown. Also I have gone for a second consultation at Princeton Eye Group [supposedly a prestigious LASIK facility]. The screening was performed by Dr. Richard Wong. So far, both opthamologists agreed that I am a very good candidate for LASIK. I was told that my corneas are thicker than normal [which is a very good thing] and my retinas are healthy.
RAY IS A GOOD GUY BUT HE NEVER DID A REFRACTIVE FELLOWSHIP LIKE I DID; THE OTHER GROUP I NEVER HEARD OF.
Then it comes down to the technologies and prices for my prescription. As for Dr. Fong; he either performs the traditional LASIK procedure [cut the cornea flap and laser (VISX S4) or CustomVue LASIK. His price is $3600 for Traditional LASIK and $4600 for CustomVue LASIK. Which I find CustomVue as a money making tactic.
INTRA LASE LIKE LASIK IS STILL CUTTING A FLAP IN YOUR EYE, WHICH IS THE MOST RISKY PART OF THE PROCEDURE, FULLY 90% OF ALL COMPLICATIONS ARE FLAP-RELATED, WHICH MEANS IF YOU HAVE A NO-FLAP PROCEDURE LIKE I DO LIKE LASEK OR EPILASEK IT IS 10X SAFER, THERE IS REALLY NO DEBATE ABOUT THIS, THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE CUT FLAPS IS THE HEALING IS A BIT QUICKER AND IT IS EASIER GROWING YOUR PRACTICE WITH THAT EXTRA “WOW” FACTOR ON POST-OP DAY ONE.
As for Dr. Wong; he uses Intra-Lase Laser for the cornea flap and Allegretto Wave Eye-Q laser. His price for my prescription is $5200 — which I find it on a high price end. Thus LASIK surgery has been out for more than 10 yrs. And I feel that the cost should be much less then when LASIK first became available.
VISX HAS ABOUT 80 MARKET SHARE OF ALL EYES LASERED IN THE US, OR MORE THAN ALL OTHER BRANDS COMBINED. IT IS ALSO THE MOST EXPENSIVE LASER TO BUY OR OPERATE.
At the time when I had a discussion with Dr. Fong’s counselor, I asked if the price can be reduced to $3000 [both eyes]; because I told him that I will refer my wife and sister-in-law and possibly one of my co-workers. It’s like I am assuring him a guarantee of two or three prospective patients in 2009. He (counselor) seemed retreated when I ask for the additional discount — he said my prescription is high and there’s more work involve. I replied to him — the reshaping of the cornea is done by a laser; not by the eye doctor. All the eye doctor needs to do in this case is to slide the microkeratome blade across the cornea, to create the flap; then the laser does the important part of reshaping. Hence, they will use the same machine for the procedure.
EVERY PRACTICE THAT TIERS PRICING IS ENGAGING IN BAIT AND SWITCH PRICING , WE WERE FEATURED YEARS AGO AS THE ONLY CENTER IN NYC THAT DOESN’T DO THIS, MEANING THE SAME PRICE FOR EVERY RX UNUSUALLY HIGH RX LIKE -10, WHICH YOU ARE NOT. PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE VIDEOS FOR HIDDEN CAMERA BY CBS TV ON FAKE PRICING, I DIDN’T THINK RAY DID THIS I WILL HAVE TO SPEAK TO HIM NEXT TIME I SEE HIM, AND WE GIVE $1000 OFF PER REFERRAL.
As for the difference between the two procedures [cutting the flap and no-cutting flap]; I was told that the procedure that removes the top cornea layer and reshapes with laser, will have a longer healing time; as to the cutting the flap and reshaping with laser. And there is no cost difference between the two procedures. At the present time; I have scheduled for a Pre-Op for this Saturday 11/15/08 and my surgery on 11/21/08. I wish I had known your LASIK/LASEK earlier; when I submitted an online internet LASIK inquiry form. On the other perspective; I have to use my FSA fund by the end of this year. I was kind of late into searching for an experienced LASIK doctor; I started in October.
YOU CAN USE YOUR FSA FOR BOTH THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR AT MY CENTER IF YOU WANT, I HAVE MY MBA ALSO SO HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THIS, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO COME IN TO ASK ME HOW.
Overall, I was impressed with your news interview with FOX 5 News and your credentials. Again, thank you for your time in responding to my email inquiry.
YOU SEEM LIKE A NICE GUY BUT ARE MAKING YOUR DECISIONS BASED ON BAD OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION, IF I WERE YOU I WOULD PUT OFF MY PREOP AT THAT OTHER CENTER UNTIL YOU COME HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE
