I am looking into getting Lasik and have met with Millennium Laser Eye Center (located in Sunrise in the Sawgrass Corp Park). They state that they use the most current techology with the Wavelight Allegretto and they have had excellent results. I have a friend that went to Dr. Pannu's office and he was happy with them as well. They use the Alcon 4000 Ladar Waves vs the Allegretto. (they are approx. $800 less expensive per eye.) I will only have to do one eye and it has a prescription of +3.00 (left) and the right eye has a perscription of -0.75, so they recommend only doing the left eye. I was wondering if anyone has experience with them or anyone else.
I had both eyes done in October by Dr. Lessner at Millennium and had excellent results. Before the surgery I needed glasses for both reading and distance and I had just also come off of surgery to repair a torn retina 3 months before, so I chose the "mono vision" option where my dominant eye was corrected for distance and the other for reading. Otherwise if he had corrected both for one or the other I would have still needed glasses. It was easy to get used to as it takes about 6 months for the brain to adjust when you read. The first proceedure to cut the flap with the laser (which every other doctor in South Florida uses a manually operated blade to cut it and that is where 99% of the risk lays if they don't cut it correctly) took 10 seconds per eye and then he moves you into the other suite across the hall and the actual laser correction took 20 seconds per eye (when you look up into the laser it will remind you of a brilliant light show with a little smell of burning skin). I had my wife drive me home and I took a 3-4 hour nap to rest the eyes, otherwise you have to put drops in every 10 minutes while you are awake for the first 24 hours. My vision the next morning was excellent (better than I had seen in over 25 years) but a little milky or cloudy for about 3-4 days. After that all was good and I was more than pleased with the results. I went with the top option which ran me just over $7000 for both eyes, but as long as you keep the 3 followup appointments and if in the event that you need to get another correction within 2 years following the surgery, he will do it free of charge. The entire staff including the Dr. Lessner were very professional and attentive both pre and post-op and I was more than pleased with the results.
Robert, funny that you're looking into this............. I too was inquiring about it!! I already went to Dr. Lessner's office this past week for the initial consultation, and I am in the process of finding other opinions & options. I was pleased with the quality of the office, staff and the conversation I had directly with Dr. Lessner. Although Dr. Lessner personally assured me that he is 100% convinced that my eyes will be ok with no side effects if I go with the interlace & algretto methods, I am still somewhat squeamish about the whole process. BTW, while I was there I tried out the monovision option with temporary glasses and was somewhat uncomfortable with the sight difference between eyes. I guess that takes getting used to.
As an eye doctor I would encourage you both to do more research. Get online and look up the outcomes good and bad with the procedures you are considering. I have seen many patients that were and are not happy with different surgical outcomes. You only have one set of eyes, and it is a permanent change you are seeking. Get a consult with a doctor that does not do laser/corneal procedures for a second opinion. Kind regards, Dr. C.A. Scott
so far; everyone that I have spoken to has had only good things to say about having Lasik and would do it again. Dr. Scott what is the difference between the Wavelight Allegretto vs. Alcon 4000 Ladar Waves (the Allegretto is more expensive approx. $800 per eye.)
I was getting pricing in the range of $2,750 per eye!!! Dr. Scott, would you please elaborate on your post? Most of the people I know who have had the procedure were very pleased with it. Is there something, or someone you know specifically that we should be aware of???
I can not publicly make statements regarding "WHO" is good, better, best, or worst. People tend to be very vocal when things go well and they are pleased. When they are not happy with the outcomes, most do not readily admit it after they have paid for the procedure and it is elective surgery. I will say that you get what you pay for. I would not look for the cheapest prices, only the most competent surgeon who has done a LOT of the procedure you are choosing. A round number would be 10K procedures with the same equipment. Lasers have been in use in Canada much longer than here due to the FDA. I am sorry that I cannot be more "lucid", but I also have a Florida license and know (read have seen their work) most of the surgeons down there. My point in the previous post is that it is important to do more research before you make a descision based solely on what your friends or aquaintences have told you. Sincerely, Dr. C.A. Scott
I would agree with the above and did a great deal of checking and interviewing before I made my selection of the doctor to do the surgery. I did somewhat have an advantage as I owned a elective surgery finance company that I sold to MBNA about 4 years ago and financed millions of dollars in proceedures all over the country and many down here in South Florida so I knew who was qualified and those that weren't doing a good job from a complaint/default prospective. If the patient wasn't happy, the first person to know was me because they didn't want to pay for the proceedure after they were contracted and had the surgery done. Dr, Lessner was one of the doctors that I knew from years back and has performed well over 16,000 surgery's, That that alone did provide me with some comfort and I did call references as well to get feedback. Fred, I too had a little bit of a difficult time the first couple of weeks with the mono vision but I can also honestly say that it seemed more intense to me when I wore the glasses before surgury than I did after. Just the glare and having the glasses on really is only a loose example of what it is like. The day after the surgery and I was driving my car and was able to see the speedometer and the road signs or even license plates on cars infront of me was when I really appreciated taking the leap and having mine done that way. No regrets here....!
I appreciate the comments as well as Fred, on the way home I spoke to a friend of mine and I brought up the discussion of Dr Pannu, and that is where he has his Lasik done. Well., Dr Pannu has passed away and the practice continues on without him. Only his name. So after reading the comments, I am going to schedule my surgery tomorrow with Dr Lessner office. thanks again
I had lasik in 2000. Best $ I ever spent, about $1500 per eye. I can't remember my doctor's name but he was very experienced. You can go to myflorida.com and pull your doc's malpractice history just to be sure. I've heard nothing but great things about Dr. Lessner though. A coworker's wife had surgery by Dr. Pannu around the time I had mine, she had big problems. Sad to hear he died though his ads were an institution.
Well on Friday (5.9.08) I had lasik performed by Dr. Lessner at Millennium (sunrise, fl in the sawgrass corp park) and had excellent results. It is Sunday and my vision is very good and it will get even better. The staff was EXTREMELY professional and I would highly recommend them. The entire process took 3 hours from beginning to end, however the proceedure takes around 10 minutes (if that). Fred I would highly recommend it. What a day: - started off to the doctors office and our daughter (2 years old) was not feeling well, complaining that her tummy hurt and it was bloated. So we headed to Millennium and then my wife was going to drop me off and then take Julia to her doctor, on the way there her doctor calls and tells us to go the the emergency room because she might have blockage. As Adriana is on the phone, Julia starts screaming and then throws up (twice). Adriana insisted that I continue and she will take Julia, well long story short. Julia had a nasty internal virus and Andy was nice enough to leave work and pick me up and then we had to get Lauren (4 years old) up at school. CRAZY day !!!
wow, i am happy that day is over...and now you can see! you need to be able to see in order to count all that money you're gonna make! SECRET!
My eyes were a little milky for the first 3-4 days and then it all cleared up. Great Doctor and great staff. I'm glad tohear that the procedure was everything you expected it to be.
I wanted you to know that your comments did influence me and I am glad that I followed through with the procedure. Thanks again for your input. I look forward to seeing (ha ha) you soon. This is a great forum and not just car driven
It was my pleasure. I was fortunate to have had an opportunity to talk to a few people before my procedure which sealed the deal for me. Just make sure not to miss any of the followup visits (especially the 30 day) to make sure everyhting is healing properly.
Last set I paid for was 7K! Not sure if the smiles/miles was worth it though............there was a definate attitude change that comes with the upgrade. Scott
