We have incredible confidence in the stability of the results achieved by patients who have LASIK at a TLC Vision Center, and we stand behind those vision results. The TLC Lifetime Commitment® program helps patients who choose TLC maintain the best possible vision throughout their lives. The TLC Lifetime Commitment guidelines are provided to eligible patients on the day of their procedure. Patients must sign a TLC Lifetime Commitment Acknowledgment form, stating they understand the conditions of this program.
Step 1: Submit a comprehensive dilated eye exam performed by an independent optometrist or a TLC affiliate optometrist . When you make the appointment, let your eye doctor’s office know that you will need to have a comprehensive eye examination that includes a wet or cycloplegic refraction where your doctor will use drops to dilate your eyes.
Step 2: Before seeing your eye doctor, print this Laser Vision Retreatment Evaluation Form. Your eye doctor will need to complete this form fully, including your contact information, during your exam. You should have this exam performed within the past six months.
Step 3: Once your eye doctor has completed the Laser Vision Retreatment Evaluation Form, either you or your eye doctor must send the completed form via fax to 513-792-5637 or via email to ENH@lasik.com.
What happens next?
Your form will be processed within 14 business days of receipt. Our medical staff will review the exam, your medical records if available from a TLC affiliate, and see if there is a possibility your vision can be corrected again. This can take up to 8 weeks as there is time needed to acquire records.
Upon review of the Retreatment Form, our medical team will communicate with you via email on the Evaluation decision and next steps. It is important we have the most up to date email and contact information for you so if you need to update/verify what we have on file, you can call or text us.
Once a determination has been made regarding your eligibility for enhancement, you will be contacted via email with the outcome of the decision and next steps.
If our medical staff feels a retreatment may be a viable option for you, you will be contacted via email by our Enhancement Department to schedule you for a comprehensive exam at one of our TLC vision centers. The fee for this exam is $99.00. If, upon examination at our TLC vision center, you are deemed to be a good candidate for a retreatment, you will be scheduled for the retreatment at the vision center.
FAQ’s
Why do I need to see an optometrist prior to returning to a TLC Center?
Most of our patients have maintained a relationship with an affiliate optometrist. If you have not, overall eye health needs to be reviewed to determine candidacy and eligibility.
Why must my eyes be dilated?
Dilation is very effective in determining true refractive error. Exams submitted without dilation will not be reviewed, as they do not provide all the information needed to make a determination of candidacy.
How long will it take for my exam to be reviewed by the medical staff once it has been received?
It will take up to 8 weeks. This includes time to acquire your records. This time frame is subject to change.
Why is there a $100 fee for the in-person consultation?
The fee is necessary to cover this additional testing. The in-person consultation includes additional testing that is not performed during a standard comprehensive eye exam.
Why isn’t the $100 fee covered under my Plan?
Your Lifetime Commitment Plan covers the procedure. The Lifetime Commitment Plan does not cover the diagnostic testing that is required to confirm if you are a viable candidate for a re-treatment. If you are a viable candidate, the postoperative exams will be covered as a courtesy.
Does insurance cover the $100 fee?
You can use your HSA or FSA to pay the $100 fee. We do not bill insurance.
What does my Lifetime Commitment Plan cover?
The Lifetime Commitment Plan will cover medically necessary re-treatments. The plan does not cover other eye conditions such as cataracts, infections or dry eye. Exclusions are listed below.
What are the criteria for being approved for a re-treatment?
The decision of any re-treatment will be made between the Surgeon and the Patient. The surgeon will only perform enhancements that are medically appropriate.
I was treated for nearsightedness, now I want monovision. Is this possible?
No.
How long will I have to take off work for my re-treatment?
Most patients can return to work within a day or two. If it is important to return to work as quickly, we recommend having one eye retreated at a time. Treating both eyes would require several days to a week of healing prior to returning to work. Generally, you will not qualify for short term disability and we do not fill out any paper work associated with these requests.
How long with the bandage contact lens stay on after my re-treatment?
Typically, the bandage contact lens will stay in between 5 and 7 days or as directed by your doctor. You should not remove the contact on your own. You can work with the bandage contact lens on. It’s best to use the medicated drops and artificial tears as directed by the doctor.
What type of restrictions will I have after my re-treatment?
Do not rub your eyes, no swimming or direct contact with eyes and water until the bandage contact lens is removed. There may be other restrictions that your doctor will review with you at the time of your re-treatment.
I work on the computer a lot. How will the procedure affect this?
Vision will be blurry and dry for the first several weeks. If you desire to have both eyes retreated, we recommend that one procedure is competed at a time so that you can return to work more quickly. Please be aware that you may experience light sensitivity and that you will not be able to swim while you wear the bandage contact lenses. Also, you will need to return for a post-operative visit within 5 to 7 days of the re-treatment.
My TLC Laser Eye Centers location was permanently closed in 2020 or prior. Am I still covered?
Your TLC Lifetime Commitment® is voided if your location permanently closed in 2020 or prior. When you call to inquire, our team will advise on options you have for retreatment.
Exclusions for re-treatment with TLC Centers:
- Patients whose loss of vision is a result of an accident involving trauma to the eye.
- Patients whose cornea is too thin for additional surgery.
- Patients whose vision is reduced due to irregular astigmatism.
- Patients diagnosed with an ocular disease such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or retinal tear, detachment or degeneration.
- Patients with presbyopia. Presbyopia is the need for reading glasses that most people develop as part of the normal aging process. Presbyopia requires corrective reading glasses. Presbyopia is excluded from the program.
- Correction of post-cataract surgery refractive errors.
- Patients with diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes, unstable rheumatoid arthritis, or other auto-immune or collagen vascular conditions.
- Patients who do not fully disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
- Patients for whom a retreatment would otherwise be medically unsafe or inappropriate.
Have additional questions?
Call 888-211-5509 or text 844-939-2020
