Herzig Eye Institute

Archive for the ‘Why people decide to have vision correction surgery’ Category

Why “convenience” is too light a word

by Cherry Tabb | 1 Comment »

If you haven’t had vision correction surgery, you probably think most patients are motivated by convenience: that they’re simply tired of dealing with the hassles of contact lenses and glasses.  But you’d only be seeing part of the picture.

Convenience is certainly a big factor, and it’s certainly something most patients rave about, but when it comes to what actually motivates people to move from thinking about vision correction to scheduling a surgery, convenience simply isn’t the primary motivation.

I know this because it’s my habit to ask new patients how and why they made the decision to have vision correction surgery; how long they took to finally decide and what the final factors were that moved them to come in for a consultation.

For most, it has to do with confidence – in the most important and basic sense of the word. In fact, I’ll never forget this one lady’s answer to my question.  Her answer rather dramatically illustrates this point, but the underlying emotions are common to most patients.

First you have to understand that with her uncorrected vision, this lady couldn’t see the big E on an eye chart.  And so she was on vacation in the Bahamas with 2 young kids and when she was on the beach with them and playing in the water, she ended up getting sand in her contacts.  Of course, she had to pull her contacts out right away and as a result she could no longer see her kids!

I’m a mother and my heart stopped a beat when she said that to me.  I’m sure any parent can empathize.  But the thing is, although in a less dramatic manner, most us have had similar moments – times when the hassle of glasses and contact lenses becomes more than a hassle or a distraction.  Times when you really feel unsafe because of it.

So for many of our patients, that really is both one of the big emotional benefits of, and primary motivations for having, vision correction surgery.  It’s not just the convenience of being free of a burden or hassle that you hate; it’s also feeling more confident and safe, knowing that you’re no longer dependent on what can be some often-unreliable aids in order to see well and negotiate the world around you, knowing that you’re not going to be caught off guard.

If you’re considering or even just curious about vision correction surgey and you’ve had – or would prefer not to have – an experience like that, I personally invite you to come in to Herzig Eye Institute for a complimentary consultation. You’ll get a complete eye-mapping and measurement, you’ll get to meet with the surgeon to discuss your situation and your recommended procedure, and you’ll leave knowing everything you need to in order to make the best decision possible.

Also, even though we’re located in beautiful downtown Toronto, we are well equipped to conduct a remote assessment and facilitate decisionmaking and surgery.  In fact, Since both the Institute and Dr. Herzig enjoy an international reputation, we’re actually quite accustomed to this process and have treated folks from all over Canada, the US and 20 different countries.

And the assessment, in all it’s forms, is entirely complimentary.  We feel compelled to provide prospective patients with the right information and to absorb the cost of doing it so everyone potential candidate knows they have access to that information without any strings being attached to it.

They’re your eyes – of course you have strong emotions!

by Cherry Tabb | 3 Comments »

Imagine how you’d feel upon regaining your color vision, if (hypothetically) you ever had to experience the world in only black and white.   No longer needing help color-coordinating your clothes wouldn’t be anything close to your main point of excitement, would it?  That kind of practical effect would pale in comparison to the experience of having your world re-saturated with color.

If you’re not sure whether detail, texture, and clarity carry any less emotional impact as color, you need to watch this video…

But the delight that comes with improving clarity of vision is always preceded by the apprehension of scheduling eye surgery.  It’s more than an intellectual decision; your eyes are priceless.  And if you look at this same patient, Laurie McCurlie, just prior to her surgery, you’ll see just how much goes into that decision:

The Importance of a Thorough Consultation

What you may also have noticed was how important it was for Laurie to have met with her surgeon, to have confidence in him, and to have confidence in everything that went into the selection of the right procedure for her unique set of eyes.

Simply put, you have to resolve your apprehensions about eye surgery before you will feel confident enough to schedule your procedure.  And a simple “screening” process won’t address the emotion behind those apprehensions. You need a thorough consultation at a medical facility that understands what you’re going through.

Because I was a vision correction patient myself before co-founding The Herzig Eye Institute, I lived through the same anticipation you saw in Laurie.  So I have used that insight and empathy to ensure that our clients feel comfortable and cared for – that you will have the confidence that comes from knowing your eye surgeon has planned a procedure customized to your unique eyes and vision requirements.  If you review the video, you’ll notice Laurie talking about gaining comfort through understanding the procedure, seeing it first hand, and gaining confidence in her surgeon.

If you are in the position that Laurie was in, I personally invite you to come in for a comprehensive, complimentary consultation.  At the end of it, you’ll have both the knowledge and the confidence to make the right decision for you.

P.S. It’s also worth noting that these video clips are excerpts from The Herzig Eye Institute’s 1999 television program educating viewers about Laser Vision Correction.  With technological advancements and innovations developed at The Herzig Eye Institute, people who were once deemed as non-candidates are being re-evaluated and learning they have new options.