When It Comes To Laser Vision Correction, Price Isn’t the Only Concern
Renowned laser vision correction Surgeon Emil Chynn, MD, FACS, MBA, answers consumer questions regarding LASIK and LASEK laser eye surgery. This month’s question comes from Laura in
Jacksonville, MS, who writes, “Why are advertised prices between laser surgery providers so vastly different, and what should I be looking for in a laser center?”
Laura,Thanks for your question. Price is certainly a concern for almost everyone considering laser vision correction, but it shouldn’t be the primary concern. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding laser eye surgery is that all providers are equal and reputable, therefore making price the distinguishing factor between one provider and another. Nothing could be further from the truth.The market supports vast price differentials between providers because not all providers are equal in their skill, experience and in the quality of their equipment. Top surgeons can command top dollar for a reason , while discount, high volume “surgery centers” cannot. If all laser vision correction providers operated on the same fee schedule, credentials, experience and the provider’s safety record would be the primary deciding factors in choosing a surgeon, which they should be regardless of price. Unfortunately, far too few consumers consider these attributes and instead focus on price, which, as you’ve noted, can vary substantially. Many providers use marketing schemes that portray affordability when in reality, the number of patients eligible for the listed price points are infinitesimally small. A common technique among discount vision correction providers is to advertise a low price to attract customers, although these prices are only applicable to those whose vision is close to perfect and wouldn’t truly benefit from surgery. When the average consumer goes in for an eye test, they are told that their vision is correctable, but for a substantially higher price than advertised.
Despite the “bait and switch”, laser surgery providers such as these still manage to price their services lower than more qualified surgeons. They do so using several highly questionable tactics which are not in the consumer’s best interest. Some of these tactics include:
A) The use of outdated or less than industry-latest equipment
B) Flying in surgeons known as “shooters” from other locations to perform a week’s worth of surgeries in one day. This is a common practice among “budget” providers that leaves patients in the hands of under-qualified personnel both before and after their surgery. Patients at places such as these only meet their surgeon at the time the surgery is being performed.
C) Misleading consumers by either not discussing or downplaying safer alternatives to the surgical procedures they perform.
You only get one set of eyes, and regardless of whether you choose to go with the lowest cost or highest cost provider, your savings on prescription lenses or contacts will eventually cover the cost of the surgery – provided the surgery is successful. To examine that further, we need to define what constitutes a successful surgery.
I stopped performing LASIK surgery in 2003 in favor of the less invasive, far more safe and accurate, no-cut, no-flap LASEK and epi-LASEK. LASIK, specifically the process of cutting into the lens, is where the greatest majority of surgical complications can occur. For me, these complications are the earmarks of an unsuccessful surgery as they can have a highly adverse effect on patient satisfaction and proper functioning of the eyes. The LASEK equipment used in my practice is the industry’s safest technology available, and although it cost me more per patient than the great majority of laser systems still in use today, I refuse to offer my patients anything less.
Patients who come to my practice are met by my staff of MD’s, not sales associates with limited or no medical experience. An optician or OD is not an MD, nor is a “patient coordinator”, “surgical assistant” or any of the other titles commonly given to the staff at budget vision correction centers. Every patient of mine will meet me to discuss their concerns, receive their pre and post op and of course, their surgery. Any patient can contact me directly at any time after their surgery for any reason.
My recommendation is to find a quality surgeon with exceptional credentials first instead of looking only at the cost associated with a particular provider. Research your options and ask your intended surgeon to provide you with the benefits and detriments of every option, which an ethical surgeon will be more than happy to do. Finally, make sure you are properly examined by a trained MD and have met your surgeon well prior to the day of your surgery.
Emil William Chynn, MD FACS MBA
Dartmouth/Columbia/Harvard/Emory/NYU-trained
Member FACS, AAO, ASCRS, MENSA
www.ParkAvenueLaser.com
(212) 741-8628 (212) 741-2390-Fax
(888) I-WANT-2020 1-888-492-6820
