Tampa, Florida: March 2002
Ms. Culliford wrote us with the following information concerning the Tampa Laser Center (TLC) of Tampa, Florida.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 7:12 PM
To:
m y w e b@int erga te.com
Subject:
http://come.to/badservice business.htm
I would like to list TLC (Tampa Laser Center) as a medical group that individuals should not use. Their address is:
Tampa Laser Center
4830 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 150
Tampa, FL
(813) 207-0004
Fax (813) 207-0041
My name is Lila Culliford, my address is 3734 106th Ave. North, Clearwater, FL
33762.
On Nov. 23, 2000, TLC performed Laser surgery on my eyes to correct my vision.
They stated they could give me 20/25 vision. I really don't know what my vision
was, when I had the surgery.
The only time I saw the MD is when he performed the surgery, at every visit I
was seen by one of their staff Optometrists.
After the surgery, my vision fluctuated from visit to visit and I was told that I
had very dry eyes. I was sent to see their Optometric Physician, G Timothy Petito, O.D., P.A., at 8695 4th St. No., St. Petersburg, FL 33702; telephone
number (727) 578-9880, fax number (727) 578-1510, to have silicone implants, as TLC
does not do this procedure. To this date I have had six implants, four fell out,
one remains in and one was taken out by Dr. Updegraff, as my right eye was
tearing so very badly.
TLC guarantee's life vision if you have a yearly checkup by their Doctor. In
January 2002, I had the examination performed by Dr. Petito (mentioned in the
previous paragraph) and my vision
was 30/40.
Since having surgery at TLC I could no longer read without glasses, which I
expected because I am over forty, but I could not see distance clearly and I had
trouble at work seeing my computer. After my visit in January with Dr. Petito, I
scheduled a complete examination at Dr. Updegraff's office.
Dr. Updegraff has diagnosed my problem and it was not dry eyes. I had
him perform the corrective surgery last Thursday and not only do I now have
20/20 vision, but I no longer need to have glasses for reading, or to see my
computer.
I paid TLC $3000.00 to perform the original surgery and when I found out I
needed additional surgery, I called and asked for my money back, which they
flatly refused, stating that they could correct the problem. Which, in
the fourteen months that they have seen me they never discovered what that was.
I paid Dr. Updegraff $5,400.00 to correct my vision and I am extremely happy
with the results. Dr. Updegraff makes TLC seem like a puppy mill, their is
absolutely no comparison between them.
All this money is out of pocket, as this is not a medical covered procedure and
I spoke to several Lawyers, to see if I could get TLC to refund my money, but
because I am not pre-maritally disabled and have had the problem corrected, there
is not much they can do to help me.
I would like as many people as possible to know that TLC is not a reputable
establishment and not to even think of going their for Laser Surgery.
I don't know if this fits your guidelines, but I really hope it does.
Thank you for your time.
Lila Culliford
Verdict: I have to say that Lila's case is regretfully not isolated as
myself, when living in Sunnyvale, CA went for a "routine" checkup and was told I
needed "corrective" eyewear (which I purchased). I was in my late 20's. In my
early 30's, I went for another checkup (while living in Austin, Texas) at Dr.
Eugene Garza, whom informed me that:
I'm glad that Lila was able to get the correct surgery from Dr. Updegraff in St. Petersburg.
I am admittedly surprised that a lawyer could not help her recover her money. I'm not sure of Florida law regarding medical facilities and their claims. I would recommended checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been other complaints against the TLC. I would also check with the State Attorney General's office to see if there is a bureau or division of the state which handles complaints against fraudulent advertising, false claims, and erroneous charges (such as what TLC has done to Lila).
If anyone in the state of Florida knows information which can help Lila, please email her (under the Original Message headers near the top of this document) with said information.
This page was last updated on Thursday, 16 March 2006
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