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Why should I choose Advanced Laser Center? |
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The main reason to choose Advanced Laser Center is our surgeon. Dr. Belardo was able to perform LASIK on the first day LASIK was available in the state Oklahoma in 1996. He is a board certified, fellowship trained corneal specialist who has performed over 30,000 vision correction surgeries. Dr. Belardo lives and works here in Oklahoma and will be here to take care of you after your surgery.
The next reason to choose Advanced Laser Center is affordability. (For pricing please scroll down to how much does LASIK cost question on FAQ page) We offer the most advanced technology at the most affordable prices in Oklahoma. We are upfront with our pricing. The price you get quoted on the phone is the same as the price when you come into the office. While many centers will play shadow games and use car sale tactics to get you to buy LASIK, we don't use any high pressure sales tactics. Our staff are NOT on commission and you can feel the difference when you visit our center. We never change the price based on your prescription, so if you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism the price is the same. If you qualify for LASIK, you qualify for the affordable pricing.
The best reason, just ask your friends. Almost all of our business is referrals from happy patients who enjoyed their experience in our office and have incredible results from surgery with Advanced Laser Center. |
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What About Bladeless LASIK? |
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Traditional LASIK is a very good procedure. While the risk of complication is very minimal, all surgery carries some degree of risk. Now, an advanced computer-controlled laser technology is available that significantly reduces the risk of complications. It is known as IntraLase® and the procedure is known as Bladeless LASIK. The IntraLase® laser is uniquely safe, uniquely precise, and offers patients predictably better visual results. The advanced IntraLase® technology has given many patients more confidence when considering laser vision correction. Surgeons frequently prescribe the IntraLase® laser because it provides micron-level accuracy and significantly reduces the possibility of risk and unpredictable outcomes.
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How is Bladeless LASIK different from LASIK using a blade? |
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LASIK is actually a two-step process. First, a flap of corneal tissue must be created and then folded back. The cornea is the transparent dome-like structure that covers the iris and pupil of your eye. By creating a flap in the cornea, Dr. Belardo is able to perform the laser vision correction treatment on the inner layer of the cornea, which practically eliminates any patient discomfort and allows for a rapid visual recovery. Traditionally, surgeons have created the corneal flap with a hand-held mechanical device that utilizes a surgical blade. This method has worked well over the years; however, the performance of these devices can be unpredictable. When complications occur, this mechanical device is frequently the source for many these complications. With the IntraLase® laser, the surgeon uses the precision of a laser to create the corneal flap. This advanced technology allows the surgeon more control during the procedure, and even allows customization of the corneal flap for every individual patient. Because of its consistent accuracy, IntraLase® now makes it possible to offer LASIK to people with thin corneas when the only option used to be PRK which has a much slower recovery period than Bladeless LASIK. We have seen dramatic improvement in visual outcomes after surgery since we have switched to the Bladeless LASIK technology. Dr. Belardo now only recommends Bladelsss LASIK for our patients based on shorter reocvery time, significantly mimized surgical risk, and better vision after surgery.
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How Much Does LASIK Cost? |
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You will find that Advanced Laser Center is the only center that will put our prices on our website. We are willing to do this because we are up front with our pricing and our pricing does not change based on your prescription or your pupil size or how much money you make. We offer 3 differerent plans for LASIK. The first is our one enhancment plan which is $1299/eye for Bladeless LASIK. The one enhancment plan covers your pre op exam, your surgery, your follow up care and one enhancment surgery in the future whenever you may need it. Our second plan is our basic plan for Bladeless which is $999/eye. The basic plan covers your pre op exam, your surgery, and your follow up care. The third plan is our basic plan for conventional LASIK with the microkeratome for $799/eye to be upfront the is the bladed procedure which has been used in LASIK surgery since 1996 in Oklahoma. |
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How long has your surgeon been performing LASIK? |
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It was during his ophthalmology residency at Columbia University that Dr. Belardo worked with the inventor of the Excimer Laser, who influenced his decision to pursue a corneal fellowship. Dr. Belardo started performing refractive surgery in 1991, when he started his corneal fellowship, which was part of the original F.D.A Excimer refractive laser study. Dr. Belardo is one of the most experienced surgeons in the state; he is also one of the few corneal specialists in State of Oklahoma. Dr. Belardo also started performing LASIK the very first day LASIK was legalized in the state of Oklahoma in 1996. Dr. Belardo continues to stay on the cutting edge of refractive surgery offering the latest in technological advancements. |
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Why does Advanced Laser Center use Intralase and not Ziemer for their Bladeless surgery? |
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Dr. Belardo is a very conservative surgeon who only wants the best for his patients. When we were deciding which Bladeless LASIK technology to choose we had the option of Intralase or Ziemer. Dr. Belardo believes that the consistent track record of success with the Intralase would be better for his patients. The intralase has completed more than 2,000,000 successful LASIK procedures and is now in their 4th generation of technology. The Intralase also allows Dr. Belardo the flexibility to change the thickness of the LASIK flap to whatever thickness he thinks is best. By comparison, the Ziemer had only performed about 50,000 successful LASIK surgeries and had a standard setting of only 2 different flap thicknesses. Intralase flaps are now created on over 60% of all LASIK surgeries performed in the United States and Intralase has a proven track record of superior maintenance and now are back by their new owner Abbot Labs. Intralase also can be used for other sight restoring procedures such as INTACS. By comparison, Ziemer can only be used to make LASIK flaps, and since Dr. Belardo is a complete refractive surgeon who knows that LASIK is a great procedure, but also knows that LASIK is not for everyone, the Intralase is clearly the best and only choice for a complete refractive surgery center. Dr. Belardo strongly believes that the Intralase is the best technology for the Advanced Laser Center despite the additional cost over the Ziemer. |
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Do you have financing? |
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The Advanced Laser Center offers flexible financing options. Low monthly payments are available to our patients. We also offer 18 months no interest financing. Give Jack Daniel a call at the Advanced Laser Center regarding our financing options at 405-755-7700. Our preferred lender is Chase. You can also log on to https://www.healthadvance-online.com/register.asp?doctorid=31337 to get online approval. There is also a direct link to Chase on our financing page. As a convenience for our patients we also accept Care Credit so if you already have Care Credit, there is no need to get approval from Chase. If you have trouble getting approved through chase, we may still have options available for you. Call Jack at 405-755-7700. |
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Do you offer Lifetime enhancments? |
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There is a large myth to "lifetime" LASIK surgery. "Lifetime" plans are full of reasons for the surgeons not to perform enhancments. You must first have vision that is worse than legal driving vision (20/40) to qualify, and then the surgeon has to be willing to do the enhancment. Since most surgeons do not get paid to do enhancments they are less willing to perform them. Most lifetime plans are offered by chain LASIK centers, and the surgeon who performs the enhancement may not be the same surgeon who performed your original surgery. By taking on your enhancment the new surgeon opens himself up to liability if something goes wrong and many surgeons are not willing to do that. In the future, we may be using other forms of vision orrection as technology changes. Technology changes may void your "lifetime" enhancement plan. Our recommendation on "lifetime" plans is to read the fine print and understand what you are really getting. |
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What if I have a cataract? |
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Dr. Belardo has an incredible amount of experience with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is recommended first and then LASIK surgery after that if it is needed.
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How can I set up my consultation? |
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It’s easy. Just call 405-751-4774 then press 4 or 866-751-4774 then press 4 and schedule your consultation, it's free and confidential. We will not make you leave a deposit. We will only give you the facts. We will not use high pressure tactics. We always tell our patients that the first visit is a get acqainted visit. We just want you to meet us and make sure that you are comfortable here in our center. We will answer all of your questions and be very upfront with you. |
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Does Advanced Laser Center ever peform studies on their patients? |
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Never! We only use the best technology available to get incredible results for our patients. Most study opportunities are marketing gimmicks. In most legitimate medical studies, you are paid to be involved, or they at least cover your expenses to get there. It is very rare to have to pay to be involved in a study. |
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