I went in for an appointment a few months ago to see if I was a candidate for eye surgery, and I was told by the salesperson that I was. She told me that the cost would be $5400, and I told her that I might have to come back in a few months at the price. She told me that my eyes were fairly good, and if I wanted, I could save money and just get my right eye done for $2700, and get the other one done in a few years. That sounded good, and so I booked the appointment for mid-November.

When I arrived for my surgery, I was given a Valium in the waiting room so that I would be calm during the procedure. When I met with the Doctor about 30 mins later, he checked both my eyes. I told him I was just getting my right eye done, and he said his chart had me listed for both eyes, and that I would feel off balance if I only had one done. He said he could do both that day, and have the saleswoman make up a payment plan. I was really put on the spot and if I hadn't been medicated I think I would have just canceled and rebooked. The sales woman said it was fine and they would need me to pay the balance by the new year. Stressed enough as was, I agreed. After the surgery, when I was being helped out the door, the saleswoman told me that they would like me to pay the bill by Dec 20th.

The surgery went fine, but I feel like I was manipulated by the sales staff. I haven't been able to pay the balance yet because $2700 isn't exactly pocket change, and 3 weeks was not enough time to raise the funds on my salary (at X-Mas, no less!) I really don't think it was right to get me to agree to having both eyes done after I was given Valium. I was about to go in to pay the rest of the bill today, but now I am wondering if I should talk to the Better Business Burea or the Canadian Examiners in Optometry?