Laser Treatments at Bense Vision™
Solutions for loss of distance sight
Traditional Non-Customized Procedures
(Original Treatments 1993)
| Standard PRK | (1993) | |
| Standard LASIK | (1998) | Blade Used |
Customized Procedures
(More Advanced Procedures but still not blade-free)
| Custom PRK | (2003) | |
| Custom LASIK | (2003) | Blade Used |
Blade-Free Customized Procedures
(Most Advanced Procedure Available: now blade-free)
| iLASIK™ | (2007) | Blade-Free | NASA Approved |
RLE-Cataract Surgery
Popularity of Procedures
Standard PRK and LASIK: 1%
Custom PRK and LASIK: 4%
Custom Blade-Free iLASIK™: 95%
Our most popular procedure is Custom Blade-Free LASIK (iLASIK™)
Introduction
Finding a LASIK Centre
Finding a laser eye center can be a frustrating and confusing experience. It seems that every laser eye center boasts the best surgeons and the latest technology and the greatest bargain or value for your money. Frankly, trying to cut through all the hype can be exhausting. That's where we can help.
Bense Vision™ is a world class laser vision correction centre. Dr. Michael Bense has performed over 15,000 laser eye surgeries to date and in fact, pioneered the use of RK, PRK and LASIK in Atlantic Canada in 1993. He was likewise one of the first handfuls of eye surgeons in Canada who performed RK, PRK and LASIK.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
We would like to set the record straight, as some LASIK clinics seem to claim that they have the ‘latest excimer laser', and are ‘world leaders' in laser vision correction technology.
There is no evidence for this claim!
Experts agree that the Star S4IR™ is now considered by most refractive surgeons in North America, to be the best LASIK laser available anywhere, especially when combined the with Advanced CustomVue Method™ to customize Standard LASIK. The outcomes are far superior to older LASIK technologies, technologies that were FDA-approved 5-10 years ago. Some of these older technologies include Zyoptix™ (approved in 2003) and the Zero compression Hansatome (keratome) which was approved in 2001 which is used by a minority of surgeons.
Our technology, namely ‘Advanced CustomVue WaveFront™ LASIK' on the other hand, was only FDA approved in 2007 and is a superior technology compared to older approved treatments. Remember, with yesterday's technology, you get yesterdays results.
As mentioned, over 60% of laser surgeons in North America (where most laser procedures in the world are performed) prefer and use the VISX S4IR™ laser as opposed to other lasers.
FDA Clinical Study Results: VISX is the best and safest laser available!
| Manufacturer | Wavefront LASIK System | % 20/20 or better after 6 months |
| Alcon | LADARVision 4000 "CustomCornea" | 79.9% |
| Bausch & Lomb | 217Z Technolas 217z "Zyoptix" | 91.5% |
| VISX S4 IR | VISX Star S4 IR "CustomVue" | 98% |
A significant result was that one year after the FDA trials, the VISX CustomVue™ procedure (our laser platform) showed up as the laser with the best results:
- 100% could pass a driving test without glasses or contact lenses
- 98% could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses
- 70% could see 20/16 or better without glasses or contact lenses
- Also, 4 times as many patients expressed "very satisfied" night-time vision after CustomVue LASIK as they had expressed preoperatively with their glasses or contact lenses.
- No re-treatments were performed in the FDA studies.
- Re-treatment is less likely after CustomVue LASIK than traditional blade LASIK.
To check these facts, a simple visit to the official FDA websites is needed, where FDA Wavefront approval letters for each laser manufacturer can be downloaded, citing the 20/20 or better data (plus safety data) cited above.
The Price of Lasik
Below are several excellent websites that discuss Canadian LASIK fees. Please consult these for any additional information you may need regarding LASIK prices.
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-cost-price.htm http://www.hschange.com/CONTENT/823/
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=printfriendly&id=5273 http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/cost.htm#bargain http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/cost.htm
Don't Pay Too Much or Too Little
http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-cost-price.htm
“Nobody wants to pay too much for anything, but this is microsurgery on eyes. If the best available surgeon is unaffordable, then the wise choice may be to not have LASIK at all. An inexperienced doctor is no bargain at any price. If you go on the cheap and something goes wrong, you may never forgive yourself. That said, just because someone charges a lot does not make them a better doctor, nor does charging less make them an inferior doctor. What is important is to focus on the quality of the surgeon and keep price secondary.
Some national chains advertise LASIK prices as low at $299 an eye, but a look at the financial reports of those same chains will find that the average LASIK cost is about $1,350 per eye. The price of LASIK varies from about $1,400 to $3,600 per eye, depending on the surgeon and technology, according to David Harmon, president of the St. Louis research firm Market Scope.
You therefore need to be sure you get what you pay for. You may respond to the $299 ad, but be "upsold" into something much more expensive. LASIK is an elective surgery that is market driven and being sold to you. To some degree your surgeon is your salesperson, but the better doctors will not try to sell you something that would not be to your benefit.”
http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/cost.htm#bargain
“Beware of advertising that promises: “LASIK from $499/eye”. Typically, only a very few select people are eligible for these prices”.
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=printfriendly&id=5273
http://www.hschange.com/CONTENT/823/
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Paul Ginsburg, a widely regarded economist focused on health-care, recently testified:
“Many of us have seen LASIK advertisements for prices of $299 per eye, but only a tiny proportion of consumers seeking the LASIK procedure meet the clinical qualifications for those prices. “In fact, the average price of LASIK in the past year was about $2,000 per eye; and only about 3 percent of LASIK procedures actually cost less than a thousand dollars an eye.
Perspective
Would you purchase a pair of glasses out of a basket at a thrift store and expect to be able to see well? Perhaps you would see okay, but you would probably only want to wear glasses custom made for you and that provide the most accurate correction for your eyes. LASIK is much the same.
For financial reasons, you may choose a less costly procedure. Remember however, that it is likely to be an older and more conventional laser procedure like Standard PRK or LASIK procedure (done by blade) that you have chosen. These historic (original) procedures done by blade are not customized, are notorious for worsening one's night vision like night driving and are thus often avoided by most discerning laser clients. Bense Vision™ however also still offers this cheaper variety of blade LASIK at prices that are often lower than those found at ‘Discount LASIK' franchises.
However, and nor surprisingly, 97% of all of our customers choose a more modern procedure like Custom Blade LASIK or iLASIK™ (which is 100% Blade-Free Custom LASIK). This new technology imparts a much higher degree of night vision quality and peace of mind and is considered by most LASIK experts to be best and safest LASIK procedure currently available anywhere. It assures the best results possible.
As said, the cost that you will incur will be directly related to what procedure you choose. Remember, this important surgical decision, should not simply be a financial decision. Your focus should be on quality care, the experience and reputation of your surgeon, and the hope of the outstanding, life-changing results that you can expect. You will find all this and more at Bense Vision™.
Payment Options
Easy Payment Options are always available: simply ask for details. Remember, in Canada, all LASIK is tax free.
Cataract/RLE Surgery
For people who suspect that they may have a cataract and wish to be spectacle free afterwards, we are the only clinic in NL that offers Intra-Ocular Refractive Surgery. This refractive procedure is called the RLE/Cataract procedure (Refractive Lens Exchange).
Summary
Our experience, thorough eye examinations, unhurried individual attention, and first-class personalized care ensure the best possible outcome for our patients.
On this site we will give you all the information you need, and advise you as to which treatment is best suited to you, and explain how Custom Blade-Free LASIK (iLASIK™) is revolutionizing the world of laser vision correction.
Surgeons and patients alike are now enjoying the wonderful world of Custom Blade-free LASIK (iLASIK™), thanks to recent advances and techniques that have made iLASIK™ safer than the steel-blade LASIK procedure, with vision often better than 20/20 as well as improved night vision compared to traditional LASIK.
Ongoing investment in the most sophisticated technology, combined with a commitment to the highest levels of patient care, ensures that Bense Vision™ continues to live up to its reputation as a provider of first-class eye care.