LASIK Vision Institute Customers Beware
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Lasik Vision Institute.

The LASIK Vision Institute has been under a considerable amount of scrutiny in the past couple of years. You might have seen their advertisements on television or in print, or may have heard it on the radio. They advertise extremely low-cost LASIK procedures for as little as $299 per eye. You don’t need laser vision correction to see that this is too good to be true.

LASIK Vision Institute claimed that their LASIK surgery completely eliminated the need for glasses, contact lenses, reading glasses, and bifocals for life. They also claimed that they gave free consultations for new patients to see if they were good candidates for a laser eye surgery procedure. When they actually went to a LASIK Vision Institute office, however, they found that they were quoted prices above what the advertisements had stated. Furthermore, the LASIK Vision Institute representatives with whom the patients met would not reveal the risks associated with laser surgery without first forking over a $300 deposit. This deposit was also due before the patients were told whether they were good candidates for laser vision correction. The deposit was, indeed, refundable. However, if the patient paid the $300 and decided against going through the procedure, LASIK Vision Institute did not refund the deposit. What if the patient actually elected to go through with the surgery only to be later rejected for medical reasons? The deposit refund amount would only be $200.

In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission and the LASIK Vision Institute agreed to a settlement. The settlement stated that LVI must cease its unsubstantiated claims that LASIK eliminated the need for glasses and contacts for life, the need for reading glasses, or the need for bifocals. They must also cease advertising that the initial consultation is free.

In investigations by various media reporters, they found that the “patient counselors” were paid commissions that depended on how many patients they were able to sign up. Patients were told that they were good candidates for the surgery, even if they weren’t. A deposit was required in order to consult with an ophthalmologist for definitive advice. One reporter had a degenerative eye condition that would disqualify her from surgery. After paying a deposit, she was told that she was a suitable candidate. Further, she was told that for an additional fee, she would receive better after-surgery care. Other investigations showed that quotes for as high as $1,799 per eye were dispensed by “counselors” who had no medical training and who made no examination of the patient’s eyes.

One patient complained after he received a consultation from a company affiliated with LASIK Vision Institute. He was told that he would qualify for the low $299 rate. After being unable to secure an appointment for surgery, he asked for his $100 deposit back. He was told that it couldn’t be refunded because it paid for the “eye exam.”

"She basically talked me into it, because it sounded good. Don't have to wear glasses to read or drive," says Gail Kennedy, consumer.

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.