Crown Laser Center

Reviews 4

MI

Milton McDaniel

Short version: They don’t want to tell you the facts about Lasik. They don’t care about your concerns. They just want to cut your eye’s, take your money, and move to the next customer. What happened: I had a less than stellar experience with Crown Laser Center / Advanced Sight Center when I was attempting to get Lasik. I met with my doctor for my free consultation at Crown Vision Center, and I was told I was a candidate. I next went to the Crown Laser Center/Advanced Sight Center in Creve Coeur to get my imaging done. All those results looked fine. This is the point where it all went off the tracks. After I got my results, the technician (Judy I believe) tried to schedule me for surgery. I explained that I have some concerns (it is lasers cutting your eye, after all), and I had some questions. She said that my questions should have already been addressed… well they weren’t, so I wanted to talk to someone about them. She asked what kind of questions I had. I said, for one, I was curious what the average rates for complications were. She said Lasik was typically safe and it’s typically successful. So I asked specifically what the rates were for any complications (halos, dry eyes, and so forth). She said it’s impossible to know that, and she couldn’t give me any percentage or rate of complications but they are extremely rare. I told her the FDA has definitely gotten statistics on Lasik. I said if she didn’t know, I’d like to go ahead and schedule an appointment with the Lasik Surgeon to discuss my concerns. She then said that doesn’t happen typically (you don’t get to meet the surgeon until you go on the table for surgery). I told her I was nervous, and I’m paying $4,400 out of my own pocket for this surgery. I should have my concerns addressed and find out these rates of complications, so I can make my own decisions, and I want to know why their quote was much higher than other Lasik locations (if their techniques are better, their equipment, etc.). She then said, “Well, the rate for having some sort of complication (halos, etc.) is about 20%. I can’t comment on what other people charge. That’s ridiculous. (1) I’m not asking you to comment on what other people charge – I’m asking you why you’re the more expensive. Heck, just say because you are the top in STL and experience counts… at the very least give me a sales pitch or something. Why should I pay you guys more? That’s the question. (2) One out of five patients having a complication isn’t “extremely rare” in my book. I know this is an surgical procedure and there are risks. I shouldn’t have to beg to get the facts about Lasik from a technician in order to make my own decision. She said she didn’t know the percentage, then came back with a percentage 5 minutes later when I insisted. She all of a sudden knew! I guess my insistence jogged her memory. This seems to me like they are trying to push something over you without informing you of the facts. (3) This is out of pocket for most people, and for the middle class it’s not cheap. This is an elective procedure, and there are multiple outfits in town. I should be able to talk to the Surgeon before he cuts my eyeballs. Maybe their surgeon is great. I was referred to them by friends, but this really soured me on their operation. I felt like it was just a surgery mill – in, cut, out. Next! In, cut, out… I’m not asking for much – just the facts and some consideration that this sort of procedure could make someone feel nervous. I’m now considering other places to go, which is unfortunate because I’ve had two friends who recommended Crown Lasik.

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Kristen Poshard

I had tried another place first that claimed lowest prices, friendliest staff and same-day lasik because my husband went there 7 years ago. Not one piece of that was true. In fact, it was so terrible that I spent four hours going from one room to another while they tried to sell me more and more and more only to find out they never had any intention of providing same-day surgery. My insurance company, Coventry, suggested I go to Crown Laser Center. They told me in the St. Louis region they were top notch. Plus, with Coventry you get quite a discount on lasik. Everyone, from the person who answered the phone, to the techs, optometrists, opthamologist to the nurses in the surgical room were totally professional. They were there for me to get the best results possible, not to continually try to upsell me things. They tested my eyes with much more sophisticated equipment than the other place. It turned out everything looked healthy so they booked me a couple days later. I was very nervous but it was easy, quick, virtually painless and, literally, the second I stood up I could see like I had glasses on. My vision is now 20/15. I know it may be unusual but I have had no itchy or dry eye whatsoever! If you know me, you know how picky I am and I totally recommend Crown Laser Center. So happy I found Crown Laser Center. - Kristen Poshard

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Ken Little

LASIK from Crown Laser Center was quite literally the easiest procedure Ive ever been through. When they said it only takes 5 minutes per eye, I didnt realize only 12 seconds of that was the laser resurfacing the eye. The rest was the drawing little marks on my eyes or brushing the cornea. Literally a very short and painless surgery. No needles either for those wondering, but instead, there are painless eye drops so even numbing up doesnt hurt. I had very mild, barely noticeable discomfort for about 3 hours tops following the surgery of which I napped through 2 of those thanks to some "happy" pills they prescribed so I could relax which helped the night before, the day of, and last night as well. Not to mention, I was able to see the improvement in my vision nearly immediately afterwards. Overall, it was surprisingly simple and well worth it. If you are on the fence about whether or not to get it done, my opinion is to start looking into it and find out if you are a good candidate and financially worth it to you. I have no buyers remorse whatsoever! Ken L.

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A Private User

I bought the Groupon for LASIK at Crown Laser Center this past spring and had my procedure performed in April. I am THE world’s biggest weenie when it comes to my eyes (as in, I’ve never been able to wear contacts and putting in eyedrops is nothing short of traumatic), and I found the LASIK procedure to be incredibly easy! Also, the staff was incredibly patient with my skittishness about anything eye-related and calmed my frazzled nerves both during the consultation and during the actual procedure itself. The most difficult part during the procedure, for me, was having all the drops put in before I went into the LASIK room, but the actual process was easy-peasy. Post-LASIK, I went home, napped for 3 hours, and woke up with perfect, 20/15 vision and NO irritation! I went back to work the next day with the eyesight of a superhero, and I’m happy to say that, 4 months later, my vision is still a better-than-perfect 20/15. If you’ve been considering LASIK, run, dont walk, to Crown Laser Center immediately! It’s the best decision you’ll ever make!!!

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