"Before you even think about [LASIK] procedures...the most important decision is choosing a quality surgeon - someone who spends time with you pre- and post-op... In particular, avoid "shooters" - surgeons who fly in, zap eyes, and fly out, leaving follow-up care to optometrists or so-called LASIK technicians." -- OPRAH magazine, June, 2006
We want you to make an informed decision about your vision. So we encourage you to compare our experience, skills and service to other providers'. You'll see why we're the leading laser vision correction practice in the bi-state region, and one of the premier providers in the entire United States.
If you want to get the best results, ask your vision correction surgeon if...
- He's a cornea sub-specialist?
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(See our answer) |
- He offers more than just LASIK surgery?
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(See our answer) |
- Other doctors recommend him?
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(See our answer) |
- He's up on the newest technologies in the field?
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(See our answer) |
- He has developed any advances in the field?
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(See our answer) |
- He'll tell you if you're NOT a good candidate for LASIK?
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(See our answer) |
- He'll be personally involved in your pre-operative exam and treatment planning?
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(See our answer) |
- He can provide data on patient outcomes for surgery he has personally performed, so that you can evaluate his success rates?
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(See our answer) |
- He utilizes different technologies to treat various types of eyes, instead of using just one type of laser for everyone?
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(See our answer) |
- He's available to you, even after office hours end?
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(See our answer) |
- He backs up your surgery with a lifetime commitment?
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(See our answer) |
- His fees include all necessary follow-up care?
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(See our answer) |
- He doesn't "up-charge" for using the right technology that's best for your eyes?
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(See our answer) |
"As a doctor, I was skeptical of LASIK. But Pepose Vision Institute has given me the vision I've always wanted." -- Douglas McCoy M.D.
He's a cornea sub-specialist?
Not all LASIK surgeons have this special training and experience LASIK is cornea surgery, requiring your surgeon to manually treat your corneal surface and the bed beneath. At PVI, your vision correction surgeon is always a cornea sub-specialist, who has spent additional years training to assure you the safest, best vision outcome possible.
Back to top He offers more than just LASIK surgery? PVI does more than LASIK. We diagnose and treat vision-compromising conditions to assure that you will enjoy the full benefit of your LASIK procedure and enjoy clear, crisp vision for a lifetime.
Back to top Other doctors recommend him? When MDs were surveyed and asked "to whom would you refer your family members if they needed vision correction surgery," they have consistently answered Pepose Vision Institute, earning us recognition year after year in
Best Doctors in America and
America's Top Docs.
Back to top He's up on the newest technologies in the field? If you know what technologies are coming down the pike, you can advise a candidate whether to wait until a new technology is available to better treat a specific condition. Pepose Vision Institute is at the forefront of new and developing eye technologies, working closely with leaders in eye care technologies around the world. It knows whether today's vision correction procedures are right for you, or whether another approach is on the horizon that will provide superior results for your unique vision condition.
Back to top He has developed any advances in the field? The doctors at Pepose Vision Institute are pioneers in the development of LASIK, flapless LASIK, wavefront diagnostics and laser applications. PVI has earned an international reputation as a leader in new vision technologies and treatments. We are the home to numerous FDA clinical trials because we are known for our meticulous diagnostic skills and patient treatment.
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He'll tell you if you're NOT a good candidate for LASIK?
LASIK is an elective surgery that should be performed only if it can enhance your uncorrected vision. At PVI, we are not afraid to say "no" to patients if they are not ideal candidates, or if they can benefit more from another treatment. Sure we could make more money off a patient by telling every patient they qualify. But that's not what we do.
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He'll be personally involved in your pre-operative exam and treatment planning?
Some LASIK facilities have "hired gun" surgeons. They show up on the day of surgery and operate the laser, then they're gone. They're not involved in your pre-operative exam or treatment planning. Which, frankly, are critical parts of your procedure. PVI's approach is very different. Your PVI surgeon is integrally involved in your pre-operative exam and the development of a treatment plan customized to your vision needs. Our pre-operative exam is extensive a three hour visit during which time your eyes are measured and re-measured using a variety of diagnostic tests, to ensure an exact treatment plan.
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He can provide data on patient outcomes for surgery he has personally performed, so that you can evaluate his success rate?
Don't be fooled by corporate LASIK chains that quote national averages rather than outcomes for your specific surgeon. Pepose Vision Institute is the only St. Louis vision correction provider to make public its own patient vision outcome data, classified by preoperative prescription ranges. You can see the vision outcomes for people exactly like yourself, who have been treated by the same PVI surgeons who will perform your procedure.
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He utilizes different technologies to treat the various types of eyes, rather than using just one type of laser for everyone?
Certain types of lasers do a better job for patients who have thin corneas, while others are better suited to patients with large pupils. But many LASIK surgery centers use a one-size-fits-all approach to lasers. Pepose Vision Institute's commitment to state-of-the-art technologies means we have multiple lasers on-site to accommodate the widest range of refractive errors and pupil size. In some cases, we'll use one type of laser for your right eye, and a different laser for your left. That ensures the best possible outcomes for our patients. Go to our section on Technology for Vision Correction for the full story.
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He's available to you, even after office hours?
Ever try to reach your M.D. after office hours? You want the peace of mind from knowing you can reach your surgeon if you have questions or concerns, especially after surgery. At PVI, our surgeons are on-call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to patients' concerns. You will never hear "hang up and call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if this is an emergency."
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He backs up your surgery with a lifetime commitment?
PVI is committed to your eyesight for a lifetime. In addition to our "Vision Correction for a Lifetime" program for LASIK patients, we encourage our patients to return for annual follow-up to ensure that nothing compromises your newly- restored eyesight.
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His fees include the necessary follow-up care?
Pepose Vision Institute offers value when it comes to your vision correction surgery. Our fees include six months of post-operative visits, no-cost touch-ups during the first year after surgery, enrollment in our "vision correction for a lifetime" program, and all of the technology required to give you the safest, best vision outcome possible. This assures a continuity and quality of care that simply cannot be duplicated by corporate LASIK centers where the eye surgeon is retained on a "piecemeal" basis to perform surgery, and only sees the patient on the day of surgery.
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He doesn't "up-charge" for using the right technology that's best for your eyes?
Beware the bait and switch. Some LASIK companies will lure you in with a price based on using an old, inferior technology. They will only use the best technology for an increased fee over their advertised low price. PVI will never ask you to choose between "good", "better" or "best" technologies, depending upon your willingness or ability to pay. We will never engage in "upselling" to increase your final fee. We believe that a doctor has an ethical responsibility to offer only the right technology that delivers the very best medical outcome possible. The appropriate treatment is a medical decision, not a "pocketbook" decision. This is why PVI offers the most competitive payment plans available including 0% down and 0% interest for qualified patients so that every individual can enjoy the very best vision outcome possible.
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We fully appreciate that the decision to have this elective surgery is a serious one that deserves the utmost attention to detail. And attention to the details is what separates Pepose Vision Institute from all the rest.
