It’s true what they say: Everything’s bigger in Texas! We like big hair, big high school football games, and of course big ol’ chicken fried steaks.
Something else that’s big in Texas—Laser Vision Correction. Every year, thousands of Texans visit ophthalmology practices across the Lone Star State so they can make the switch from pesky glasses and contacts to the crisp, clear vision LASIK can provide.
We’re fortunate to have a number of world-class LASIK surgeons in Texas. But how do you determine which surgeon is the right fit for your treatment?
If you’re looking for the best LASIK in San Antonio, Houston, Austin or DFW, word-of-mouth is one of the most reliable ways to find it. We’ve scoured first-hand accounts from patient experiences at a number of laser eye surgery centers in Texas to identify the leading LASIK providers according to Google.
We used a simple scoring criteria to determine rankings, which include:
- Total Number of Google Reviews
- Average Star-Rating for Google Reviews (max – 5.0)
- Quality of Google Reviews (reviews with multiple sentences/paragraphs outweigh blank reviews with only a star rating. We measured this on a 10-point scale)
In the interest of fairness, only LASIK centers established for more than 5 years were reviewed. This improves the accuracy of results by including only practices with a reliable history of customer feedback, and by reducing the impact a handful of outlier reviews would have on any LASIK center’s overall score.
According to Google, Parkhurst NuVision is the best lasik surgeon in San Antonio.
Here in ascending order are the leading 4 according to our scoring outline, along with a summary of what makes each unique.
Best LASIK San Antonio
#1. Parkhurst NuVision – San Antonio – 5-Star Average, 1.4K reviews, 9.5 out of 10 Qualitative score
Parkhurst NuVision not only took the top spot in Google reviews rankings but was also voted Best LASIK Provider in San Antonio in a “Best of San Antonio” readers’ poll conducted by the San Antonio Current.
Google reviewers praised NuVision for honest and open communication, surgeon expertise and excellent visual outcomes. While some cited higher prices than other cheaper providers, a few key features of NuVision explain the practice’s pricing:
- NuVision is one of the few LASIK vision correction centers in the nation to offer LASIK and all six LASIK alternatives, including PRK, SMILE, RLE, implantable contact lenses (ICLs) and more.
- The practice invests in the latest, most advanced laser surgery technology, from diagnostic equipment to laser treatment technology.
- Staff receive regular training, and the surgeons routinely participate in studies and clinical trials that enhance their skills and advance LASIK technology.
- The above practices allow NuVision greater flexibility than most other laser centers to tailor treatment to each unique eye. This results in the extremely high customer satisfaction demonstrated on Google reviews and patient polls.
“We achieve such great results because we specialize in more vision correction options than other providers, and we personalize our approach to each patient,” said chief surgeon Dr. Gregory Parkhurst. “Instead of giving every patient a one-size-fits-all surgery, we help the patient choose a treatment plan that is uniquely suited to them.”
#2. Tylock-George Eye Care – Dallas – 4.8-Star Average, 1,173 reviews, 7 out of 10 Qualitative Score
Led by experienced practitioners, this practice scored points with patients for offering a variety of eye care services and being well-equipped enough to get the job done efficiently. The flipside of efficiency in this case is what one reviewer described as a “factory” feel, “in and out.” The pace was brisk, but the patient experience felt rushed and was often interrupted, according to some.
Others complained that Tylock-George Eye Care pricing isn’t transparent. Reviewers reported conflicting information on what’s included in the surgical fee, as well as enhancement surgery pricing.
#3. Berkeley Eye Center – Houston – 4.8-Star Average, 601 reviews, 6.5 out of 10 Qualitative Score
Berkeley Eye Center’s founder opened his practice in 1961 and has been performing refractive surgery since 1979. Since then, the practice has expanded to a chain of 23 locations at last count.
While the Houston location received high marks for an knowledgeable and friendly office staff, some reviewers expressed dissatisfaction about long wait times before and during the exam process, with very little face time with their doctor. One reviewer claims to have gotten less than a minute in consultation with the surgeon; the rest of the consultation, she said, was handled by technicians.
#4. SharpeVision MODERN LASIK – Austin – 5.0-Star Average, 369 reviews, 7.5 out of 10 Qualitative Score
SharpeVision has three locations in three entirely different regions of the country (Southwest, Upper Midwest and Northwest), but it’s the Austin location we focus on here. Patients lauded the practice for a spa-like atmosphere and friendly clinic staff, though some complained about wait times.
Patients praised the fact that pricing is clearly stated on the business website. Where it falls short is in service details; it’s unclear from the website what refractive surgery options are available at SharpeVision. Those considering LASIK will need to direct phone calls or emailed questions to the practice or find out at appointment time if there’s an option that fits them.
Reviewers were divided on the “LASIK4LIFE” feature, which assesses an upcharge in exchange for vision “touch-ups” if their eyes change in the future. Some appreciated the option of essentially “insuring” themselves against potential needs, while others felt this guarantee should be included in the price.