Are People Satisfied with TLC Vision?

Laser eye surgery has revolutionized the field of vision restoration with procedures such as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK surgery, enabling millions of visually impaired people to regain their normal vision.¹ One company leveraging this power of laser technology is TLC Vision. 

This article reviews TLC Vision, including its services, patient expectations, financing options, and more. 

What is TLC Vision?

TLC Vision is a leading eye care service company providing corrective eye surgery in North America. It strives to make laser eye surgeries quick and more accessible. 

With its highly specialized professionals and state-of-the-art laser Wavefront technology, TLC Vision has performed more than 2.3 million laser eye surgery procedures across all its eye centers.² The company has more than 30 years of LASIK experience. 

What Services Does TLC Vision Provide?

TLC Vision provides the following laser vision correction procedures:

• Traditional LASIK. Involves the creation of a corneal flap and the treatment of the underlying layer using an excimer laser
• Custom LASIK surgery. A computer-generated 3-dimensional map of the eye is used to customize each person’s treatment according to their unique needs
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).³ This is a LASIK-like procedure that reshapes the cornea without creating a corneal flap; recommended for people with thinner corneas
• Monovision LASIK.⁴ A special type of LASIK for older adults that corrects one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision
• Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). This procedure involves the removal of the natural eye lens and replacement with an artificial one, commonly known as an intraocular lens (IOL)

The TLC Vision Experience

The professionals at TLC Vision Centers endeavor to make everyone’s experience seamless, safe, and affordable. Below is what you can expect from consultation to post-surgery.

What to Expect on Consultation Day?

The LASIK surgeons and trained staff at TLC Vision Centers will diagnose your eyes and advise you on the best laser vision correction procedure for your desired visual outcome.

Your candidacy for the various vision correction procedures will be determined after a series of pre-operative tests, including corneal pachymetry, that involves measuring the thickness of your cornea to determine the extent of your refractive error. 

Before settling for any procedure, consider both the risks and benefits. Your eye doctor will address any questions or concerns you may have.

What Happens on the Day of the Procedure?

On the day of eye surgery, your TLC surgeon will prepare your eyes. They will apply topical anesthesia to ease any discomfort during the process. They will also use a lid retainer (speculum) to hold the eyelids open.

Procedures take about 10-30 minutes to complete. This is what you can expect during different procedures:

• LASIK procedure. The surgeon will make a thin corneal flap in your cornea and fold it back to expose the inner cornea. They will then use the excimer laser device to reshape your cornea based on the required measurements before replacing the flap and allowing healing to begin.
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Contrary to the LASIK procedure, where a flap is created and replaced, PRK involves removing the corneal epithelium to expose the inner corneal surface, which is then reshaped like in LASIK. After laser treatment, an eye shield will be placed to protect the wound. The epithelium regrows during recovery.
• Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). Your TLC surgeon will make a tiny incision where your sclera (white of the eye) and cornea meet. They will then use a special tool to break down your natural lens, liquefy it, and then suction it out (phacoemulsification).⁶ They will then replace it with an artificial lens that corrects your refractive error. The incision will seal and begin healing. An eye shield will be placed for protection.
• Monovision LASIK. Using an excimer laser, one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision.

How is the Aftercare Managed at TLC Vision?

After laser eye surgery, TLC Vision professionals ensure people have a smooth and successful recovery. You’ll spend a couple of hours in the facility for initial monitoring.

Your surgeon will prescribe medications such as pain relievers and eye drops to help with any discomfort and prevent infection. They will also schedule a follow-up appointment the next day to monitor healing.

Even more important, you’ll receive post-op care guidelines to ensure you take good care of your healing eyes. 

What are the Costs of TLC Vision’s Services?

According to TLC Vision, the cost of LASIK surgery may range from $1,095 to $2,999 per eye, depending on your specific refractive error. They offer free consultations to determine the cost of every procedure before committing.

TLC’s vision aims at making every person’s experience seamless and affordable. This is why they provide considerably lower costs with several funding options.

All LASIK patients at TLC are covered under the TLC Standard Enhancement Policy. For anyone who requires enhancement to maintain good vision after surgery, TLC provides the service at no charge.

Does TLC Vision Accept Insurance?

Yes. TLC Laser Eye Centers collaborates with the following leading vision and health insurance companies to help eligible people afford the services: 

• Cigna
• VSP
• Davis Vision
• Aetna
• EyeMed
• UnitedHealthcare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield

TLC Vision recognizes that some insurance companies and employers only offer partial coverage for laser eye surgery. This is why they work with people to determine their eligibility for any additional coverage. They can either file claims on behalf of the person or guide them to ensure they maximize the available benefits.

Does TLC Have Financing Options or Specials Available?

There are attractive financing plans and special offers at TLC Vision aimed at making laser eye surgery affordable for you. For example, TLC works with CareCredit (accepted at over 260,000 locations) to enable people to access special financing offers such as:

• Paying for vision care for self and family at enrolled provider locations
• Making co-payments and deductibles.

Some TLC Vision patients use their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) funds to pay for eye surgery. Ask your TLC staff for more information about these funds during your consultation.

What are the Pros and Cons of TLC Vision?

Below is what makes TLC’s vision superior and the areas that need to be improved:

How Does TLC Vision Compare to Other Providers?

Endorsed by more than 10,000 doctors nationwide, TLC Vision is a long-standing leader in laser technology, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of all procedures. The business has a 5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau website based on about 18 reviews.

Most TLC Vision reviews are very positive, highlighting the quality of service and their ability to deliver excellent results. Quoting one review, TLC is “way better than your average ‘drive-thru’ laser eye center.” 

The Lifetime Commitment® program also sets TLC Vision apart from the rest. This program helps people access vision care for the rest of their lives after surgery—and there’s no other like this. However, this program is only available at participating TLC Laser Eye Centers.

The TLC Standard Enhancement Policy also gives corrective eye surgery patients the advantage of securing same-technology enhancement procedures free of charge when required.

Summary

•  TLC Vision is a leading eye care service company providing laser eye surgery in North America. 
• Services provided include LASIK surgery, PRK eye surgery, monovision LASIK, RLE, and cataract surgery.
• The TLC staff endeavors to make everyone’s experience seamless, safe, and affordable.
• TLC partners with insurance companies like Davis Vision, Aetna, Cigna, EyeMed, and others to enable people to access vision care in an affordable manner.
• The unique TLC Standard Enhancement Policy, Lifetime Commitment® program, state-of-the-art technology, and nationwide locations make this vision care company stand out among the rest.