Lasik MD – Winnipeg, Manitoba
My name is Janie and I would like to share my experience with you. My dad is the one who heard about this website on the radio and encouraged me to write to you. This is regarding the Lasik MD in Winnipeg, Manitoba…or any of them for that matter.
Long story short, I want to become part of the police force here in Winnipeg. My vision was not up to their requirements seeing as I have been wearing glasses since the age of 14. My only option was to get laser eye surgery. In January 2009, I went for a consultation at Lasik MD and on January 15, 2009, got the recommended eye procedure done. I was recovering well and everything was going great until June 2009. I noticed my vision was diminishing and I had to wear my glasses at times. They told me that was normal as my vision would be “up and down” for about 6 months after my surgery. It is now December 2009 (nearly a year later…) and I am STILL wearing (now often) my glasses to drive, watch tv, etc…
Unsatisfied with my procedure, I sent them the following letter on November 4, 2009:
Dear Madam, Sir:
In 2008, I applied with the City of Winnipeg to join the Police force. One of their requirements, as I’m sure you know, is to have20/20 vision. As I had been wearing glasses since the age of 14 and of course, did not meet the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) vision requirements, Lasik eye surgery was my only option at having a chance to get on board with the WPS. Given Lasik MD’s positive promotion advertisements, I made an appointment with you. On January 2, 2009, I went in for a pre-operative assessment and you confirmed that I was a candidate. After some discussion with you, I opted for the most recommended surgery by you which was the Advanced Custom Wavefront Lasik. On January 15, 2009, I had my surgery.
The following are dates on which I returned for the usual follow-ups. I made the other appointments indicating that I still could not see correctly. You had also confirmed that I did not have 20/20 vision…
Jan 16/09: 24 hr follow-up
Jan 19/09: 3 day follow-up
Jan 27/09: 1 week follow-up
Feb 17/09: 1 month follow-up
June 19/09: Made appointment myself, need to wear glasses to drive
Sept 17/09: Made appointment myself, need to wear glasses to drive
Oct 6/09: Made appointment myself, need to wear glasses to drive
As you know, the amount for the surgery is $3,580 and is due in total January 15, 2010. Your websitehttp://www.lasikmd.com/2020/ confirms a 20/20 vision or money back guaranteed. So does your sign in your reception office:“20/20 or it’s free!”
At every appointment, I indicated that I could not see correctly. Your response has been, “in time” or “we have to wait”…. I stillwear my glasses.
I believe that your company’s advertisement is false. The results of my surgery are certainly not 100%.
I do hope that you will stand behind your promotion selling ad: 20/20 vision or it’s free.
Respectfully,
Janie (last name removed for privacy)
c. Better Business Bureau of Manitoba
cc. The Physicians & Surgeons College of Manitoba
After sending this letter, I was called by the Executive Director Christina to come in and “have a chat”. To make an even longer story short, she basically said to me: “because at some point in time after your surgery you did have 20/20 vision, our commitment has been fulfilled and you do not get your money back regardless if your eyes have regressed”.
As you can imagine, I was furious. I now have to get the surgery done AGAIN to have a chance at making it in with the Winnipeg Police Service AND do not get any money back whatsoever. Perhaps I would not make such a big deal of this if the surgery had only cost me $1000 instead of $3580. I was and still am incredibly frustrated and disappointed on how they handled this matter. She told me she would send my papers to the head office in Montréal and see what they say. I have not heard back from neither the head office, nor the executive director here at the Winnipeg Lasik MD location.
If anyone wants to get eye surgery done, definitely make sure to read the fine print and make sure THEY read it over WITH you and insure that you understand, because clearly from my experience that was not the impression I, nor my mother who came with me during the consultation, had when I decided to get the procedure done. One sign says “20/20 or it’s free!” the other says “20/20 or it’s free…….commitment”. I REALLY suggest the advertising company/Lasik MD to revise ALL their ads so that no other client EVER has to go through something like this. If anyone has a similar story, please let me know! Maybe we can help each other out in better solving this ridiculously horrible experience.
Disclaimer
This article was submitted by one of our readers. Penciltrick cannot make any claims as to its authenticity but the article was accepted on a good faith belief that it is an accurate and truthful account of the events listed.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I live in Edmonton and they did the same to me.
June 7th, 2010 at 6:26 am
I understand your frustration i had my eyes done at the edmonton clinic.. at first i could only see four feet in front of me and they told me my eyes had over corrected themselvs. I could not drive or basically go anywhere bc i could not see past 4 feet. then after about 6 weeks they corrected themselves and for a whole 3 months i could see. then my eyes started failing…. of course when you go for the check ups they tell you you have 20/20 vision but funny i cant read a book.. see my computer or even see the letters on my phone… so they tell me to go see an optometrist to get reading glasses… Honestly for the 2800 I spent I could have purchased many pairs of nice glasses….. Biggest Scam i think ….i would not have spent the money for SUCH A LITTLE TIME NOT wearing glasses…..
June 9th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Hi guys, I’m also considering the surgery at Lasikmd. I’ve been doing research, went to a few clinics…I’m still thinking. But what I think happened in your cases is that you both regressed due to whatever your eye condition was(changeable..etc). So what they did wrong is that they accepted you as patients. You should have gone to a few clinics first.
June 21st, 2010 at 10:52 pm
I just called to cancel my free consultation. I think I’ll just stick to my glasses. Also, the woman I spoke with was rude… So ya I am not rescheduling. Those are my eyes I only get 2.
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I had Custom Lasik with LASIK MD in Edmonton. Two other surgery centres wanted to charge me 1000 dollars more for the exact surgery – with a less experienced surgeon. One Optometrist even wanted to have me fly to a place in Langley with a less advanced lazer and no surgeon follow up in Edmonton!!!! I asked LASIK MD about the 20/20 and they were very upfront. I know that my vison changes when I am tired or its really dry out. Something about humidity and my not blinking when reading or driving? I was 20/20 at one week at month I was 20/25 and at 6 month in the summer I was 20/15 better then perfect. I was gunning for a refund or discount and even asked myself how many people can fake not being 20/20- especialy when the Desjardens bills started to come in. I tried to tell them that I did not think I was 20/20 and learned from them and competitor that one of the diagnostics is legaly certified to tell your prescription and can’t be faked. So far 3 of us at work have been through it with LASIK MD. My advice, do not think it is worth the stress to try and get the money back if you acheived 20/20. Vision does fluctuate and they are use to some “fakers”.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Stick with glasses and contacts – lasik is not like a bad haircut – once they cut you your screwed.
My eyes are totally screwed as a result of lasik, eyes hurt all the time, glare during the day and halos and starbursts around all lights at night. Took a year off work and had to take a job that involves almost no reading or any type of work that involves concentration. Can’t socialize because my eyes hurt to much and a simple conversation is too much for me (can’t concentrate because of the pain) and my eyes are always bloodshot. Went to 4 opthamologists and none have been able to fix me. I had lasik 1.5yrs ago and lasikmd says that my eyes are fine and I should be happy. They don’t care about people just money.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
So So Sad that I trusted LasikMD and Dr. Keon Nia with my eyes – my eyes and life are now ruined.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I think ill stick to getting nice glasses and trying contacts instead of getting lasik eye surgery,i have someone i work with wants to but now after reading all this im going to warn him..Thanks everyone..
From montreal
July 13th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I had my lasik done by LasikMD in Edmonton. Like some others have said already my experience has also sucked! My surgeon was also Keon Nia – he did not do a pre-op or post-op exam – is this right? does he reallys, care about his patients? I don’t think so. I’ve had constant pain ever since and can no longer drive at night – its way to dangerous with all the halos and startbursts. Their so called manager Jesse Smith is only concerned with money and treats you like an idiot for getting the surgery and not liking the results. He does not care about patients, just making money and dealing with people who they have completely screwed up does not make them any money.