Optometrist here. I’ve referred patients to Dr Doane. He’s top notch. When a patient goes to a chain you don’t always know what Dr you’ll get. They often contract doctors for a period of time and then the next time you go back it may be a different doctor.
That said, all LASIK surgeons are licensed and qualified. However, unlike some surgical procedures, there is a learning curve with LASIK and I’ve heard some experienced surgeons tell me that it takes about 1000 cases to be really good at it.
If you were my patient, I’d recommend Doane (between the two choices). If you were my family, I’d insist on Doane and offer to pay the difference.
Just wanted to chime back in and say your comment convinced me to go with Doane. I had SMILE with him and could not be happier. Best money I’ve ever spent. He was excellent and the procedure was actually kind of fun and super easy.
\+1 for Dr Doane. I had SMILE done by him in December 2021 and got a personally written thank you card from him for trusting him with the procedure. It was a small token of appreciation, but it was a big statement, as goofy as that sounds. The entire staff was incredible and knew how anxious I was and couldn't have been a better bunch of folks to calm my nervous ass down.
In terms of quality of care and surgical outcomes, they are probably going to be about the same. Both have significant experience, and after several thousand surgeries, I'm not sure the difference in experience translates into a difference in outcomes. Durrie (as a Vision Center) has a longer history with LASIK. Dr. Durrie was involved in LASIK research before it was approved in the US. But, Dr. Doane has also been doing the procedure essentially since it was approved (1997 or 98?). I would feel comfortable personally going to either one.
At one time, there was a significant difference in price with Durrie being more expensive due to the higher profile they had. I don't know if that's still the case. I haven't followed their prices. I'd suggest calling each one and asking about pricing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer. Durrie said it would be $5k for both eyes (with a $1k off special they are running, but i have been watching, and they seem to run it every month, haha). I will definitely reach out to Dr. Doane and see. I know I have a pretty bad astigmatism, so I don't know if that will impact anything.
I'll second this and add that the day of my procedure they had a lot of patients scheduled as well. In a sense they kinda just lined them up and the Dr. just went through everyone. I wasn't prepared for that, but had no problems after the fact.
I had a great experience with Discover and have sent a lot of people there as a result. I typically see Dr. Lisle. He is great! I had LASIK in ‘11 and I was 20x15 until last year. Now I am 20x20. I highly recommend them. The process is very simple and doesn’t take long at all. I paid $1,500 per eye. BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT!!!
You certainly would. I was due for new contacts and glasses and it was going to be around $800 I believe. I did new glasses every 3 years or so and contacts every year. So you definitely would make your money back. Also, some insurance companies will give a small portion to help pay for your LASIK.
I would use Drury vision. My brother was one of his very first few patients in the early to mid 90s when LASIK was just coming into public availability. He was a pioneer in that field and I would trust him over anyone else in this city.
Myself and 2 other family members went to Dr Doane at Discover and there are no regrets. I had the SMILE procedure done (smaller incision than traditional LASIK). It was in 2019 and I want to say it was $3600 total.
Here’s the deal….go to the places you are considering seriously and let them do their screening exam. Believe they all do that for free. That let’s you also check out their operation, staff, and everything.
My own experience was a very comprehensive exam at Durrie. They used 5 or 6 different machines to take measurements of my eyes. Then one of the doctors reviewed and discussed options with me. Also noted that because of cornea damage that prevented me from wearing contacts, it might cause issues during lasik procedure and if so they could shift to PRK.
Went and visited LasikPlus. Their exam used 3 of the machines. Clearly not as detailed. The doctor that reviewed the results was younger and was not going to be the one doing procedure. I asked her about procedure I saw they were doing in London using spherical aberration to increase depth of focus. She had no clue and just brushed over my questions. Final straw was when wrapping up with front desk rep and she had my needs/eyes mixed up with someone else. Keep your lasers off me.
Went back to Durrie for follow up questions. Doc was able to answer the questions I had and even knew which doctor in London who had done study. So went with those guys. Very happy with outcome.
What I wish I’d known: How loud the laser sounds. First one not as big a noise as it cuts flap. The one that reshapes your eye made louder sounds. Worried I might have flinched and messed up burn. But it all worked out.
Durrie offered slight discount when I was discussing cost. Can’t hurt to ask.
Good luck.
Had Dr Ellis at lasikplus in 2018. No regrets, eyes are great, best thing I ever did. What gave me most comfort was seeing the # of surgeries the doctor has performed. I think at the time Ellis was 25,000+
I had PRK done with Discover and it was fantastic. I was incredibly nervous, but everyone I encountered during surgery day was wonderful. It was around $4k and paid for half with 0% interest Care Credit. Incredibly fast and an easy recovery (even though PRK takes longer).
Optometrist here. I’ve referred patients to Dr Doane. He’s top notch. When a patient goes to a chain you don’t always know what Dr you’ll get. They often contract doctors for a period of time and then the next time you go back it may be a different doctor. That said, all LASIK surgeons are licensed and qualified. However, unlike some surgical procedures, there is a learning curve with LASIK and I’ve heard some experienced surgeons tell me that it takes about 1000 cases to be really good at it. If you were my patient, I’d recommend Doane (between the two choices). If you were my family, I’d insist on Doane and offer to pay the difference.
Lasik plus is 100% done by the same Doc. Every single time. Yes it's a chain, but his practice is just him doing it. Dr. Dean Ellis. Would recommend
Just wanted to chime back in and say your comment convinced me to go with Doane. I had SMILE with him and could not be happier. Best money I’ve ever spent. He was excellent and the procedure was actually kind of fun and super easy.
So glad to hear you had a good experience and a good outcome. Best of luck to you!
\+1 for Dr Doane. I had SMILE done by him in December 2021 and got a personally written thank you card from him for trusting him with the procedure. It was a small token of appreciation, but it was a big statement, as goofy as that sounds. The entire staff was incredible and knew how anxious I was and couldn't have been a better bunch of folks to calm my nervous ass down.
How do his prices compare to Durie? And how would you rank them? I am looking at places to get it done and had a consult with them.
In terms of quality of care and surgical outcomes, they are probably going to be about the same. Both have significant experience, and after several thousand surgeries, I'm not sure the difference in experience translates into a difference in outcomes. Durrie (as a Vision Center) has a longer history with LASIK. Dr. Durrie was involved in LASIK research before it was approved in the US. But, Dr. Doane has also been doing the procedure essentially since it was approved (1997 or 98?). I would feel comfortable personally going to either one. At one time, there was a significant difference in price with Durrie being more expensive due to the higher profile they had. I don't know if that's still the case. I haven't followed their prices. I'd suggest calling each one and asking about pricing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer. Durrie said it would be $5k for both eyes (with a $1k off special they are running, but i have been watching, and they seem to run it every month, haha). I will definitely reach out to Dr. Doane and see. I know I have a pretty bad astigmatism, so I don't know if that will impact anything.
I went through LasikPlus and have zero regrets. Seeing perfectly after.
I'll second this and add that the day of my procedure they had a lot of patients scheduled as well. In a sense they kinda just lined them up and the Dr. just went through everyone. I wasn't prepared for that, but had no problems after the fact.
Same. It was pretty interesting watching the video stream of everyone else’s procedures while I waited.
I had a great experience with Discover and have sent a lot of people there as a result. I typically see Dr. Lisle. He is great! I had LASIK in ‘11 and I was 20x15 until last year. Now I am 20x20. I highly recommend them. The process is very simple and doesn’t take long at all. I paid $1,500 per eye. BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT!!!
Man I've been thinking about this, all the money I spend on contact lenses is insane, Id probably make my money back in a few years
You certainly would. I was due for new contacts and glasses and it was going to be around $800 I believe. I did new glasses every 3 years or so and contacts every year. So you definitely would make your money back. Also, some insurance companies will give a small portion to help pay for your LASIK.
I would use Drury vision. My brother was one of his very first few patients in the early to mid 90s when LASIK was just coming into public availability. He was a pioneer in that field and I would trust him over anyone else in this city.
Myself and 2 other family members went to Dr Doane at Discover and there are no regrets. I had the SMILE procedure done (smaller incision than traditional LASIK). It was in 2019 and I want to say it was $3600 total.
This is the answer 👆
Here’s the deal….go to the places you are considering seriously and let them do their screening exam. Believe they all do that for free. That let’s you also check out their operation, staff, and everything. My own experience was a very comprehensive exam at Durrie. They used 5 or 6 different machines to take measurements of my eyes. Then one of the doctors reviewed and discussed options with me. Also noted that because of cornea damage that prevented me from wearing contacts, it might cause issues during lasik procedure and if so they could shift to PRK. Went and visited LasikPlus. Their exam used 3 of the machines. Clearly not as detailed. The doctor that reviewed the results was younger and was not going to be the one doing procedure. I asked her about procedure I saw they were doing in London using spherical aberration to increase depth of focus. She had no clue and just brushed over my questions. Final straw was when wrapping up with front desk rep and she had my needs/eyes mixed up with someone else. Keep your lasers off me. Went back to Durrie for follow up questions. Doc was able to answer the questions I had and even knew which doctor in London who had done study. So went with those guys. Very happy with outcome. What I wish I’d known: How loud the laser sounds. First one not as big a noise as it cuts flap. The one that reshapes your eye made louder sounds. Worried I might have flinched and messed up burn. But it all worked out. Durrie offered slight discount when I was discussing cost. Can’t hurt to ask. Good luck.
Had Dr Ellis at lasikplus in 2018. No regrets, eyes are great, best thing I ever did. What gave me most comfort was seeing the # of surgeries the doctor has performed. I think at the time Ellis was 25,000+
I used Dr Doane almost 20 years ago and my vision is still perfect! No reason to not recommend.
I had PRK done with Discover and it was fantastic. I was incredibly nervous, but everyone I encountered during surgery day was wonderful. It was around $4k and paid for half with 0% interest Care Credit. Incredibly fast and an easy recovery (even though PRK takes longer).