March 17,2000
Laser eye surgery comes to Tiffin
By Malinda Ruble
Staff Writer
Astigmatism long has been known as a problem corrected only by corrective lenses. In recent years, technological advancements have made laser surgery a more common alternative, but often patients were required to travel to larger cities for the service.
Now, patients can receive vision correction surgery in Tiffin. Dr. Wade Young at Tiffin Eye Center, 60 Ashwood Road, has been performing the surgery locally for the past few months.
"We reshape the eye and correct the vision error," Young said. "Up until December 1999, most people went to the center (in Toledo) for surgery. Both the patient and the doctor had to drive to Toledo for surgery.
"A few months ago I started talking with the company about bringing the laser to the office," the doctor said. "They brought the laser here and we plugged into a large outlet in the building and now we don't have to drive to Toledo anymore.''
For Tec of Twinsburg
The surgery takes place in a large truck which travels to Tiffin on a monthly basis or as needed.
"It's just like a modern operating room. It works very well,'' Young said.
Young said just about anyone can undergo LASIK, a type of refractive surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea.
"Candidates who are near- or far-sighted or who have astigmatism &emdash; just about anybody can have this done now," he said.
Laser vision surgery is the latest technology available for customers.
Young said relocating the service to Tiffin was a way of helping the customers.
"We wanted to offer it for the patients' convenience. Now we have the laser come to us. It also helps to lower costs," he said.
Young said the charge for treating both eyes at the Toledo facility was $4,500, but now with the service at Tiffin the cost is $3,500.
"It makes the price more competitive. It's also more convenient for me and my staff. It saves time," he said.
With the advancements in eye surgery, Young said the popularity of the procedure has grown.
"There were between 800,000-900,000 (surgeries) done in 1999 in the United States. The procedure allows people to really cut down on their dependence on glasses. Between 75 to 80 percent of the patients are free of glasses following the surgery,'' he said.
The Tiffin Eye Center can be reached at 448-8811.