News and Technology

For more than a decade, Dr. Mark Whitten and Dr. Edward Perraut have been part of the TLC Laser Eye Centers family.

Dr. Mark Whitten and Dr. Edward Perraut have been leaders in laser vision correction refractive surgical procedures for decades, have performed over 100,000 cases in Washington DC,, Metro area, Maryland and Virginia, and have led the way by pioneering new laser vision correction techniques and teaching other laser vision surgeons how to achieve the best refractive results possible. They have assembled one of the most experienced and qualified staffs in the lasik, laser vision correction industry, which allow patients to receive unparalleled quality care at many convenient locations throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, Metro area.

By joining forces with TLC Laser Eye Centers, Dr. Mark Whitten and Dr. Edward Perraut will have the resources of the world's largest provider of Laser Vision Correction, TLC Laser Eye Centers (TLC). TLC Laser Eye Centers offers access to the most recent state of the art laser vision correction equipment (like Bladeless LASIK), TLC LifeTime Commitment, excellent financing payment plan options, and the backing of over 80 TLC LASER Eye Centers across North America.

As always, patients will continue to receive a complimentary Lasik consultation – one of the most comprehensive in the industry – to help determine if Lasik laser eye surgery is the best choice for their individual vision problems.

Patients will continue to receive the highest quality of care and the largest available selection of proven laser technology from TLC Laser Eye Centers — the world’s largest provider of laser vision correction procedures. No one has more experience in patient care and laser vision correction procedures than TLC Laser Eye Centers. And no one knows that better than Drs. Mark Whitten and Edward Perraut.

The Right Lasik Doctor Makes All The Difference

Because LASIK is so quick, it may seem like an "easy" laser vision correction procedure, one that 'anyone can do.' On the contrary. This miraculous laser vision correction procedure can only be as precise and effective as the Lasik doctor who performs it. Excellent Lasik results depend on accurate diagnosis, skillful surgical technique, careful Lasik post-operative care, and most important of all, experience. As you might imagine, a doctor's experience can be the most critical factor in a patient's Lasik results. So the more experienced your Lasik doctor is, the more confident you will feel. Dr. Mark Whitten and Dr. Edward Perraut have performed over 100,000 LASIK procedures in Washington DC, Metro area, Maryland and Virginia.

TLC Laser Eye Centers. The Most Experienced Lasik Doctors in the Region (Washington DC, Metro area, Maryland and Virginia.)

TLC Laser Eye Centers ophthalmologists are highly trained and were performing LASIK years before many other Lasik doctors had started learning about it. Dr. Mark Whitten and Dr. Edward Perraut performed their first LASIK, Laser Vision Correction procedure in January, 1996. Since then they have performed more Lasik laser procedures on a monthly basis than any other practice in the Washington, D.C. metro area (Washington DC., Maryland, and Virginia). Few Lasik doctors in the nation have spent as many years improving vision for so many eyes, as TLC Laser Eye Centers.

Top Reasons TLC Laser Eye Centers are the Only Choice for LASIK.

1. Laser Vision Correction - It's all we do
TLC Laser Eye Centers® is the largest provider of Lasik, Laser Vision Correction in North America and our Laser Vision Correction surgeons have performed over one million procedures. In a TLC Laser Eye Center survey, 99% of patients said they would refer TLC to family and friends*. That’s the ultimate seal of approval.

2. Experience
When it comes to LASIK, not just any doctor will do. TLC Laser Eye Center’s affiliated Lasik surgeons must complete the FDA required vendor certification course for every technology they use. TLC works with thousands of affiliated optometrists, providing ongoing Lasik, Laser Vision Correction training programs to offer the best outcomes for all of our patients.

3. Value - You Get What You Pay For
When comparison Lasik shopping, learn exactly what the quoted costs include. A preoperative Lasik consultation, the latest Laser Vision Correction proven technology, post-operative Lasik care, and an experienced Lasik surgeon and staff are all-inclusive at TLC. Add to that the TLC Lifetime Commitment®, the exclusive benefit available to patients at any of our over 80 TLC Laser Eye Centers across North America. Now that’s value for your money.

4. Technology - Pair Of Eyes, One Personalized LASIK Experience
TLC uses the most advanced Laser Vision Correction technology available. The best Laser Vision Correction technology for you will be determined during your personal Lasik consultation.

Custom LASIK - As unique as you are. A wavefront analyzer creates a map of your eye and analyzes your ocular system at 240 different points, providing unique information about the visual characteristics of your eye for more customized vision correction.
Bladeless LASIK - provides you with an all-laser procedure. Bladeless LASIK (sometimes referred to as: Blade Free, Intralase, All Laser Lasik) may enable our surgeons to offer more predictability and precision in your vision correction.

5. Our Staff
All TLC staff members participate in continuing Lasik education and must complete certification and training on all equipment they operate. This assures our patients that a knowledgeable and educated team of professionals is involved in their care.

6. Affordability - Options Available To Make LASIK Affordable
Financing: It is our goal to make LASIK affordable for almost everyone. We offer a range of Lasik payment plans including a special 18 month interest free program. If you prefer a longer term, our low 1.99% fixed rate is as low as $30.00 per month for each eye. Insurance Plans: TLC has contracts with many of the nation’s largest insurance plans. Millions of people already qualify for additional savings. Flexible Spending Accounts: Using pre-tax dollars to offset medical expenses may save you almost 30% on LASIK.

7. TLC Laser Eye Centers - A Nationwide Company
With over 80 TLC Lasik Centers that belong to the TLC Laser Vision Correction family in the United States and Canada, you can be assured that your vision care will be in good hands, wherever you are.

8. Tiger Woods - A Satisfied TLC Patient Since 1999
After 8 years, Tiger Woods is still seeing 20/20 with no contacts. Visit www.tlcvision.com to hear Tiger talk about his TLC Laser Eye Centers experience.

TLC Laser Eye Centers and Dr. Whitten Chalk Up Another Masters Winner With Johnson

ROCKVILLE, MD, April 9, 2007 - Who's keeping score at The Masters? TLC Laser Eye Centers (TLC) and Dr. Mark Whitten. This year they added Zach Johnson, the surprise winner of The Masters 2007, to the long list of their own LASIK patients who are Masters Winners.

Unlike everyone else, TLC and Dr. Mark Whitten keep score by counting the number of their LASIK patients who win this prestigious tournament. The 2007 Masters winner, Zach Johnson, had LASIK to correct his vision with Dr. Whitten in October of 2005 at the TLC Center in Rockville, Maryland.

Here are some surprising statistics:

For 6 of the last 8 years, The Masters has been won by players who had LASIK with Dr. Mark Whitten at TLC Laser Eye Centers (TLC). That's a winning average of 75 per cent for players who had LASIK, beginning with The Masters in 2000.
This year, not only The Masters' winner - but two of the three golfers who tied for second place - had their vision corrected with LASIK.
At least 13 golfers competing in this year's Masters had LASIK -- and 11 of those players had LASIK at TLC Laser Eye Centers with Dr. Mark Whitten.

Dr. Mark Whitten, the Lasik surgeon who corrected Johnson's vision, has performed more than 80,000 LASIK procedures. Dr. Mark Whitten is the doctor of choice who has corrected the vision of numerous golfers on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours - as well as other professional athletes.

"I couldn't be prouder of Zach," Dr. Mark Whitten said after yesterday's win. "It makes me feel good to know that he didn't have to worry about his vision and that I played a small part in that. The win however -- that was all Zach."

Advances in technology over the last ten years have changed LASIK with wave front technology that can "map" the eye's surface to permit the correction of imperfections not even detectable in the early years of LASIK. Today, LASIK can also be done without a blade and with new lasers that produce precise results with fewer side effects and less time under the laser than in previous years.

Plan now, save up to 30%!

Have you thought about LASIK but didn't think you could afford it? TLC Laser Eye Centers has great news! By utilizing your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through your employer, you can set aside tax-free dollars now... to pay for LASIK later. FSA enrollment periods are brief and yours may open soon. Before you set aside funds for your FSA, find out if you're a candidate for LASIK. Then see your Employee Benefits Advisor for details..

Call 1.888.852.2020 to schedule YOUR complimentary consultation TODAY!

You can even Book Online NOW!

Independent U.S. Navy Study Presents Benefits of Custom LASIK Procedure

Study Reflects Results Shown by TLC Custom LASIK Patients

A collaborative study just released by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force demonstrates the superiority of Custom LASIK, or wavefront, a state-of-the-art laser vision correction procedure. The study was released in conjunction with the recent national meeting of the 31st Annual Symposium of American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery held in Washington, D.C.

Captain Steve Schallhorn, MD, director of refractive surgery at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego said, "With wavefront-guided procedures we're getting better quality of vision, better clarity, better night vision, and better contrast sensitivity than we did with conventional laser eye surgeries." Col. Robert Smith of the Air Force Warfighter Refractive Surgery Program agrees. "While conventional laser correction procedures are good, wavefront-guided vision correction is ratcheting up our expectations."

Custom LASIK is the advanced procedure that uses a tool called the wavefront analyzer to measure the way light passes through your eye. Custom LASIK is able to address and correct "higher-order" aberrations, which are distortions thought to cause problems such as halos or glare. The study confirmed the benefits available to patients by showing that Custom LASIK patients did not report experiencing night driving halos or glare while conventional LASIK patients reported an increase in halos. Most patients experienced a satisfactory resolution in halos after three months.

Same Technology Approved by NASA is Available at TLC Laser Eye Centers

The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has announced the approval of Bladeless Custom LASIK vision correction for their astronauts - the same bladeless custom technology that is also available nationwide at TLC Laser Eye Centers.

NASA's approval came following a review of extensive military clinical data using the same two lasers employed in our Bladeless Custom LASIK. The research showed that the use of the combination of technologies provided superior safety and vision - results TLC Centers agree are unparalleled.