Lasik Eye Surgery in Edmonton

[Mixam]

Has anyone here had laser eye surgery done in Edmonton? What place did you use? What was your experience like? How did it turn out. As of now, I've had a consultation at Lasik MD and I'm getting one done at King's Lasik. Any other places I should consider? Gimbel comes to mind, but I believe they are the most expensive place. If they give free consultations I'll go there too.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[Blockwork]

dont do it. stick to glasses or even contacts if you care about your vision. glasses dont come with side-effects and a heavy price ;).

[rf134a]

Has anyone here had laser eye surgery done in Edmonton? What place did you use? What was your experience like? How did it turn out. As of now, I've had a consultation at Lasik MD and I'm getting one done at King's Lasik. Any other places I should consider? Gimbel comes to mind, but I believe they are the most expensive place. If they give free consultations I'll go there too.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

No, Eye Q is the most expensive @ $4690 regardless of your prescription. They only do custom wavefront bladeless lasik. I believe Gimbel charges $2300 or so. The technology has progressed to the point where there's little difference between providers. I just don't like high-volume places, especially places that hire students to do "pre-assessments" at malls.

I'm scheduled to go under the laser @ Eye Q. I chose Eye Q because Lasik is not their main focus. They mostly do eye-related surgeries such as cataracts, and are experts in eye-related diseases. The owner, Dr Leong-Sit teaches at the U of A along with his father.

Is there a need to pay double to go to a place that's not focused on lasik but general eye diseases? Probably not, but there's only 1 attempt. There's no do over. I choose quality over quantity. 15 years of experience for Dr Joseph Leong-Sit and his father has something like 40 years of experience experience, so they aren't newbies to this field.

[cheapmeister]

Looks risky


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlRrvyPZuHM&feature=related

[Blockwork]

No, Eye Q is the most expensive @ $4690 regardless of your prescription. They only do custom wavefront bladeless lasik. I believe Gimbel charges $2300 or so. The technology has progressed to the point where there's little difference between providers. I just don't like high-volume places, especially places that hire students to do "pre-assessments" at malls.

I'm scheduled to go under the laser @ Eye Q. I chose Eye Q because Lasik is not their main focus. They mostly do eye-related surgeries such as cataracts, and are experts in eye-related diseases. The owner, Dr Leong-Sit teaches at the U of A along with his father.

Is there a need to pay double to go to a place that's not focused on lasik but general eye diseases? Probably not, but there's only 1 attempt. There's no do over. I choose quality over quantity. 25 years of experience for Dr Joseph Leong-Sit and his father has something like 40 years of experience experience, so they aren't newbies to this field.

laser eye-surgery is a newbie field in it self..
id think twice if i was you. i have nothing to gain, im telling you for your own benefit.

[rf134a]

laser eye-surgery is a newbie field in it self..
id think twice if i was you. i have nothing to gain, im telling you for your own benefit.

Yes, excimer lasers were first used for lasik in 1989. Who needs more than 23 years to perfect the technology? :D

[Corleone187]

Is this the same as that HD Vision?
http://www.herzig-eye.com/about-high-definition-vision-solutions.php

What does that mean? High Definition vision? That means you see in 1080P?

What happens when you look at a 4K TV, will you still be able to see it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4K_resolution

[Blockwork]

Yes, excimer lasers were first used for lasik in 1989. Who needs more than 23 years to perfect the technology? :D

your eyes, not mine.. do as you please. id suggest researching more about it though (not just from the company selling you the service).


Is this the same as that HD Vision?
http://www.herzig-eye.com/about-high-definition-vision-solutions.php

What does that mean? High Definition vision? That means you see in 1080P?

What happens when you look at a 4K TV, will you still be able to see it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4K_resolution


hahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahhahahha thats a signature worthy post right there hahahahahaahahaha

[rf134a]

Is this the same as that HD Vision?
http://www.herzig-eye.com/about-high-definition-vision-solutions.php

What does that mean? High Definition vision? That means you see in 1080P?

What happens when you look at a 4K TV, will you still be able to see it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4K_resolution

Can I get SD vision instead? I'm too poor to afford HD vision.

What about 8k tvs? What happens when you watch an 8k tv with SD eyeballs?
http://gizmodo.com/5905728/panasonic-steals-crown-for-giant-8k-tv-that-will-melt-your-face

[cheapmeister]

Not as good as they say......
http://lasikcomplications.com/

[tynanwong]

I live in Edmonton and I had Lasik done at Lasik MD in Edmonton. My neighbour happens to be an Ophthalmologist and I asked him about where I should go. I had a consult with both Lasik and King as well. Talking to my neighbour, he said that it would be best to go with Lasik as all the doctors there work in Edmonton hospitals as well. Dr. King goes around to different cities to do Lasik, so once you finish the surgery you would never see him again if there was a problem.

He also said that the whole surgery is automated and there is not really much for the doctor to do (he said a monkey could do the surgery). Since there is not much for the doctor to do, it makes sense to go with the company with the latest machinery and that Lasik MD had the newest technology.

Anyways, I've been glasses free for a year and it has been great! Make sure to claim the tax credit for medical expenses.

[rf134a]

Not as good as they say......
http://lasikcomplications.com/

OMG! :eek: Think of the children! :rolleyes:
http://www.pajiba.com/assets_c/2011/01/think_of_the_children-thumb-260x215-18848.jpg

What about dihydrogen monoxide? This substance is extremely addictive and kills thousands every year! This stuff needs to be regulated and stopped immediately!
http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html


Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol.

At least with Lasik, you can see forever after the procedure because the earth is flat.
http://theflatearthsociety.org/cms/

/herp derp!

[Kingmoo]

I ate a banana once and I died. Moral of this story: do not eat bananas.

[aviador]

publicity stunt / infomercial?

[Blockwork]

OMG! :eek: Think of the children! :rolleyes:
http://www.pajiba.com/assets_c/2011/01/think_of_the_children-thumb-260x215-18848.jpg

What about dihydrogen monoxide? This substance is extremely addictive and kills thousands every year! This stuff needs to be regulated and stopped immediately!
http://www.dhmo.org/facts.html



At least with Lasik, you can see forever after the procedure because the earth is flat.
http://theflatearthsociety.org/cms/

/herp derp!


i dont understand why youre trolling this topic. you should be taking this more seriously.
just like the guy above me posted, why do you think they dont use laser surgery in the military at all or for pilots as much anymore?
there is obviously something wrong with it
if you do even the slightest research, you can find things EVERYWHERE

maybe you will be one of the few lucky ones who ends up with a perfect procedure and no backfire, but that is not a risk id be willing to take. sight is one of hte most important senses we have to connect to "reality".

like i said, glasses dont come with side-effects
good luck ruining your eye sight while paying a ton of money for it

[Kingmoo]

like i said, glasses dont come with side-effects


what about the big clunky frames on your face? To me, that's a side effect...

or how about having to stick fingers into your eyeball each morning/night? That too is a side-effect.

[Blockwork]

what about the big clunky frames on your face? To me, that's a side effect...

or how about having to stick fingers into your eyeball each morning/night? That too is a side-effect.


right, having frames on your face is a side effect..
first of all, learn the definition of side effect
second, id rather have a frame on my face than pay someone to destroy my eyes using laser surgery


"why should i take tylenol, why dont i just take heroin.. they both have side effects and both will get rid of my headache"... what kind of flawed logic?

[wszeto28]

lol Where are all you laser eye surgery haters getting your facts from? How do you guys know that the military and pilots don't get laser done? I know that laser is pretty much required for police officers these days as they must have unaided 20/20 vision before joining the force.

For what it's worth, I got mine done 3 years ago and so far no regrets to this day. I know 4 other people who have also done it with on problems. FYI, I got mine done from LasikMD in Toronto.

OP:

I would recommend Lasik MD but only because I've never heard of King. There is a huge thread somewhere in the Offtopic about laser eye surgery. I suggest you look it up if you have questions.

[cheapmeister]

lol Where are all you laser eye surgery haters getting your facts from? How do you guys know that the military and pilots don't get laser done? I know that laser is pretty much required for police officers these days as they must have unaided 20/20 vision before joining the force.

For what it's worth, I got mine done 3 years ago and so far no regrets to this day. I know 4 other people who have also done it with on problems. FYI, I got mine done from LasikMD in Toronto.

OP:

I would recommend Lasik MD but only because I've never heard of King. There is a huge thread somewhere in the Offtopic about laser eye surgery. I suggest you look it up if you have questions.



Not recommended for army personnel, taken from here:
http://lasikcomplications.com/index.htm


"There is a high risk of potential traumatic flap problems after LASIK and it is not recommended in army service". (Xiao et al, 2012)

"Laser in situ keratomileusis is another surgery in which the flap is prone to traumatic dislocation because the interface does not seem to heal except at the edges." (Canto et al, 2011)

"Although LASIK remains the most popular refractive surgical procedure, it is becoming apparent that corneal surfaces, cut to create the midstromal flap during surgery, fail to fully reunite postoperatively; surgeons can simply peel back an anterior corneal flap several years later. Such patients... are at risk for progressive visual disability due to general corneal weakness that may progress to ectasia or even traumatic displacement of the insecure flap." (Mi et al, 2011

The flap never heals properly to re-attach to your eye. Look at these pics:
http://lasikcomplications.com/flapdislocation.htm


Also look at this video from global tv news. They interview the FDA doctor who originally approved laser surgery, but now says it should be banned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzgOZlDF58c

[aviador]

publicity stunt?

[kindred_99]

I had mine done at Bochner in Toronto about 6 or 7 years ago and I can say it was one of the best things I ever did. I might have been lucky but I didn't have any problems and would recommend it to anyone who qualifies for it. My best friend had it done around the same time as I did, as did his brother and sister in law, and a short time later my own sister. Even though they all used different facilities they all went smoothly and are all happy they did it. The weird thing is that I still wear glasses in many of my dreams.

[BornRuff]

No, Eye Q is the most expensive @ $4690 regardless of your prescription. They only do custom wavefront bladeless lasik. I believe Gimbel charges $2300 or so. The technology has progressed to the point where there's little difference between providers. I just don't like high-volume places, especially places that hire students to do "pre-assessments" at malls.

I'm scheduled to go under the laser @ Eye Q. I chose Eye Q because Lasik is not their main focus. They mostly do eye-related surgeries such as cataracts, and are experts in eye-related diseases. The owner, Dr Leong-Sit teaches at the U of A along with his father.

Is there a need to pay double to go to a place that's not focused on lasik but general eye diseases? Probably not, but there's only 1 attempt. There's no do over. I choose quality over quantity. 15 years of experience for Dr Joseph Leong-Sit and his father has something like 40 years of experience experience, so they aren't newbies to this field.

When it comes to surgical procedures, volume is often a good thing. It is often a main thing people suggest you should consider when choosing where you have a procedure done.

There are obvious benefits to having a lot of practice and experience doing something, and also having something as your main focus or specialty. Someone who dabbles in many different things probably doesn't have the same degree of knowledge and experience as someone who is focused on one thing.

[aviador]

publicity stunt?

[cheapmeister]

This is so sad. A lawyer gets blinded in one eye by lasik eye surgery. Machine malfunctioned or something, and sent a super powerful laser blast into her eye and blinded her.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8za3EH8V9TQ&feature=related

[Mixam]

Thank you to those who have actually responded to my post. For those of you who have not, I'm looking specifically for advice on lasik in Edmonton. I've been thinking about this for quite a few years now and I'm set on getting it done. I'm looking for the best place to get it done, and the cheapest place to get it done, for pricematching and getting it done at the best place. I like that King Lasik has 0% financing. I have no problem paying cash if I need to, but if it turns out King is a good place to get it done, I'd definitely take the financing route and throw the money I have set aside for this into an investment.

I don't care about the freak accidents that happened to someone at some discount joint in the states or elsewhere. I'm well aware of LasikComplications and several other sites like them. Most of their quotes are from sketchy sources and taking a Chineese study and using it to say that "the army" doesn't recommend laser eye surgery is pretty sad. Which army? If you want to point me to a study on the complication rates of laser eye surgery, make sure it is a peer reviewed paper from a reliable source, not someone who went out and found as many people with complications that they could and started fear mongering. Most of the mistakes out there are because people went to crappy doctors or had unrealistic outlooks on the procedure.

I know a lot of people who have had laser eye surgery, (unfortunately none that have had it done recently in Edmonton) and the biggest complication I have ever heard from them is slight halos at night or slightly dry eyes. I've never personally met a person that regrets getting laser eye surgery. In fact the biggest complaint I have ever heard is that they didn't get it done sooner. Myself, I've been waiting for custom wavefront to mature a bit before getting mine done.

Glasses do have side effects and if you don't think so, you've never worn them. Reduced vision in the rain and snow, fogging up, restricted field of vision, they force you to wear over the glasses safety glasses which don't fit close to your face and aren't as safe as regular safety glasses, they are dangerous if you ever get hit in the face (like by an airbag, or if you fall down), causing cuts to your face and nose (and in extreme cases cutting your eyes), they frost up every time you enter a building in the winter, and they look bad.

Contacts also have side effects. They cause dry eye, sometimes infections, it can be quite painful if you get something caught under your contacts or fall asleep with them in, they require you to touch your eyes all the time which can lead to infection, they can tear in your eyes causing you to lose sight in one eye (till you get another contact), and they are pretty expensive each year. By the way there are several studies out there that indicate that daily contact use is more dangerous than laser eye surgery. Infections can lead to blindness, or even the need for eye removal. An article from WebMD's take on the issue is here: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20061010/lasik-surgery-safer-than-contacts

I wear contacts when I can and glasses when I can't. My eyes dry out when I wear contacts, especially if I'm tired, so sometimes I do not wear them. I wear contacts when I play sports and when I go snowboarding. I would love to be able to wake up in the morning and see the alarm clock, to not have to put on my glasses till I can get my hands cleaned and put in my contacts. I would love to be able to play with my nephews without them stealing my glasses. Some of you seem to think that the only reason someone wears contacts or gets laser eye surgery is so that they don't have to look stupid in glasses. If that was all I was worried about I wouldn't be going for surgery to get my eyes fixed. I'd like to improve the quality of my life.

[rf134a]

Maybe it's just me, but anything to do with physically modifying my eyes is the last thing I want to PM/skimp out on. :cool:

[krill57]

I've heard about Dr. Climenhaga before, and just read about him in this (older) thread:

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showthread.php?t=461390

However, there are 2 Climenhagas in Edmonton, both are ophthalmologists. Does anyone have experience with either?

I'd like to get laser eye surgery done this year, preferably in Edmonton. I don't know whether to go the PRK or Lasik route. My correction is pretty bad.

[Wing Nut]

I live in Edmonton and I had Lasik done at Lasik MD in Edmonton. My neighbour happens to be an Ophthalmologist and I asked him about where I should go. I had a consult with both Lasik and King as well. Talking to my neighbour, he said that it would be best to go with Lasik as all the doctors there work in Edmonton hospitals as well. Dr. King goes around to different cities to do Lasik, so once you finish the surgery you would never see him again if there was a problem.

He also said that the whole surgery is automated and there is not really much for the doctor to do (he said a monkey could do the surgery). Since there is not much for the doctor to do, it makes sense to go with the company with the latest machinery and that Lasik MD had the newest technology.

Anyways, I've been glasses free for a year and it has been great! Make sure to claim the tax credit for medical expenses.

I agree with this. I had mine done 14 years ago in CAlgary because no one did it in Edmonton back then. I love my eyes now. I get dry eyes sometimes but it's been a big success for me. Use eye drops for the dry eyes.

[AnaClaudiaCosta]

It sounds like you’ve done a lot of research, which is a great first step. You’re also visiting more than one laser vision correction provider, which will help you compare surgeon experience, technology and price.

As you also pointed out, there are some ambiguous media reports and unreliable websites claiming that LASIK is unsafe. Such statements are contrary to scientific research conducted thus far by the FDA as well as data that is found in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The most recent FDA review of LASIK has shown that the most widely used LASIK technology has a success rate of greater than 95% in yielding 20/40 vision — the minimum requirement to legally operate a vehicle without glasses or contact lenses — and a success rate in the high 80th/low 90th percentile in yielding 20/20 or better vision. These numbers are in accordance with those gathered by LASIK MD among its own patient base. In addition, worldwide LASIK results were reviewed and reported in 2009, in the Journal of Ophthalmology. The scientific literature showed LASIK to be the safest of all elective medical procedures, having the highest levels of patient satisfaction of any procedure.

Best of luck in finding a laser vision correction provider.

LASIK MD – Canada’s laser vision correction provider
http://www.lasikmd.com

[LasikMDVision]

It sounds like you’ve done a lot of research, which is a great first step. You’re also visiting more than one laser vision correction provider, which will help you compare surgeon experience, technology and price.

As you also pointed out, there are some ambiguous media reports and unreliable websites claiming that LASIK is unsafe. Such statements are contrary to scientific research conducted thus far by the FDA as well as data that is found in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The most recent FDA review of LASIK has shown that the most widely used LASIK technology has a success rate of greater than 95% in yielding 20/40 vision — the minimum requirement to legally operate a vehicle without glasses or contact lenses — and a success rate in the high 80th/low 90th percentile in yielding 20/20 or better vision. These numbers are in accordance with those gathered by LASIK MD among its own patient base. In addition, worldwide LASIK results were reviewed and reported in 2009, in the Journal of Ophthalmology. The scientific literature showed LASIK to be the safest of all elective medical procedures, having the highest levels of patient satisfaction of any procedure.

Best of luck in finding a laser vision correction provider.

LASIK MD – Canada’s laser vision correction provider
http://www.lasikmd.com