Does anyone have any experience with the Laser Vision Institute in Atlanta or Doctor David O'Day?

Did you go? How was your experience? I am reading this board and others and am wondering if I should do this!

Thanks!
Renée

Just be aware of a few things. Dr. O'Day doesn't live in Georgia and comes here a day or so a week. His practice is in Nashville. If you have a problem postoperatively you might not be able to see him for a few days. Also, Dr. O'Day doesn't routinely do your postoperative care. Staff optometrists (non-surgeons) do. Finally, Dr. O'Day did residency training as a general ophthalmologist at Emory. At that time (several years ago) very little if any LASIK training was part of the curriculum. Finally, the low $499 price advertised is dependent upon your prescription and only a small percentage of potential customers will qualify for this price. Your cost will most likely be considerably more than this. Despite all this, you might do fine. Just go into it knowing all the information.

It's not *that* much more to see someone else in town although, the $800 could be used elsewhere. (I have a 2 year old son who I don't want to never see clearly again, but I could put that money towards his other expensed instead) As long as the post-op docs are trained to look for problems, I don't think it's a big deal.

The site says that he has been a fellow of the AAO since 1993, but I can not find him recommended on the AAO site. Is there any reason this might be? Is there any place else that I can go to research his credentials? (licence, affiliations, etc)

Do you think it would be a big problem/hassle if I got one eye at a time done just in case there is a problem? (your "might do fine" scares me a bit)

Thanks!
Renée

The Laser Vision Institute has been featured in a number of exposes in the Washington Post. You should search the Washington post archives. The article on 9/4/2001 starts as below. This is just one of a few articles that reports on deceptive practices by this company. What is concerning is that employees are required to sell lasik to atleast 75% of people who walk in the door, which tells me that they do not care whether a patient is actually a good candidate.
Dr.Corwin also points out a more important point. What if you have surgery, and have a problem that requires surgical intervention - but your doctor is not available. This is of serious concern, because a delay is treatment for certain problems can result in permanent loss of vision.

Consider a few opinions to make sure you are a good candidate for surgery.

Here is the start of one of the articles from the Washington Post:

By Marc Borbely
Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, September 4, 2001; Page A01
One of the largest national chains of laser eye surgery clinics pays sales commissions to at least some of its "patient counselors," who seek to collect nonrefundable deposits from customers before they have been briefed on all possible risks of the procedure, according to former employees, customers and company documents.

The Tysons Corner branch of Laser Vision Institute (LVI), a 19-center chain, requires its counselors to close a deal with 75 percent of possible customers to qualify for bonuses, and the chain bases commissions on how much the patient pays.
The counselors -- who screen and brief all prospective customers -- are trained in standard retail sales techniques and encouraged to emphasize the benefits and defer questions about risks to trained medical personnel, whom patients generally see only after committing to the surgery.
LVI is not the only firm that rewards employees for closing deals and meeting sales goals for Lasik surgery, the most popular type of laser vision correction. Executives at most area laser eye centers, including the local offices of two other national chains -- TLC and LasikPlus -- say they either have offered or are considering employee bonuses linked to the center's financial performance.

I hope this answers your question

Bill Trattler,MD
Miami,FL

I am scheduled to have LASIK performed by Dr. O'day in December 2004. He appears to be from Mt Pleasant South Carolina and works at 2 Lasik Vision Institutes as well as his own private practice- Charleston Cornea and Refractive

I have 1.25 diopter vision and eligible for Nidek, Zyoptix, and Zyoptix Custom. I will discuss with Dr. O'day the risks and benefits of each as his optometrist was adequate but I am more interested in an EBM style review of the literature with my MD prior to undergoing surgery.

Check with your center - but typically patients meet the surgeon only in the day of surgery. As well, you will not see your surgeon again. This type of situation is much different than the type of treatment you would get with a local ophthalmologist - who typically will be involved with your care both before and after surgery. You need to understand the level of care you will be receiving at any place you plan to have surgery, and use this information to make an informed decision.

As well - Do your research - I suggest using google to look up the news reports on the center you are considering surgery with.

Best of luck
Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL