Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Dec 7, 2008
YOUR LETTERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I refer to last Sunday's article, 'Lasik price wars'.
I almost fell prey to a Lasik clinic's hard-sell tactics.
At first, I was impressed by the many sophisticated machine tests at the clinic that lasted for three hours, and the hour-long counselling by its good-looking staff.
But later, I was left feeling confused and fuming.
An optometrist there informed me that my left eye was my dominant eye, instead of my right one.
She claimed I had been wrongly diagnosed by my personal optometrist of five years.
I was asked to place a full payment before leaving the clinic, in order to enjoy the promotional rates.
But I left the clinic, insisting that I should try wearing contact lenses to test if I was really left-eye-dominant first before making any decision.
The clinic followed up with calls to ask about my condition, although I had not yet tried the lenses. The staff said I should secure the promotional rates by making an appointment.
After checking the prices for the standard Lasik procedure, I withdrew $3,100 from my savings, and went to make payment.
When I arrived, I was told I had 'steep corneas', which would require a bladeless procedure that would cost me $3,888 before goods and services tax.
I saw red upon hearing this.
The senior surgeon had not informed me I had 'steep corneas' during my evaluation, and had given me the impression that I could have a standard procedure.
The clinic then slashed the price by $200, but I still refused to sign.
Later, I was informed that I could opt for a standard procedure for one eye, and a bladeless procedure for the other eye, which would save me another $200 - but I had to have the operations done by end-October.
I stomped out of the clinic fuming.
I found such conduct unprofessional - the clinic was out to make money, not to help me see better.
I have since visited another clinic, which does not advertise or engage in a price war and has been very patient.
And guess what? I am actually right-eye-dominant. Connie Loh (Ms)
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Dec 7, 2008
YOUR LETTERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Contact lenses and spectacles may be safer than surgery
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Is Lasik surgery really safe?
I once intended to go for such a procedure but changed my mind after talking to some friends and colleagues.
One colleague had a friend who went for Lasik surgery 10years ago.
Everything was fine until about two to three years ago, when she developed problems - first in one eye, then the other. She could not regain her sight totally even after some operations, and ended up blind in one eye and partially blind in the other.
After hearing this, I gave up the idea of going for Lasik.
Why take the risk when I can just use disposable contact lenses, or wear spectacles daily?
With the money saved from Lasik, one can splurge on a pair of branded glasses.
After hearing such horror stories, I will stick with my various pairs of spectacles. Catherine Lee (Ms)
 
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