Michael Tracy, MD

I had PRK surgery with Dr. Tracy the beginning of January 2016. Choosing Dr. Tracy for my laser eye surgery was the best decision I could have made! He is friendly and more importantly, incredibly knowledgable. Going into the consultation I wasn’t really aware of the difference between PRK and LASIK but Dr. Tracy patiently explained the differences as well as pros and cons of both procedures allowing me to make an educated decision on what is best for me and my lifestyle.
From my consultation to surgery and recovery both Dr. Tracy and Natalie genuinely cared about my comfort and well being. They called post surgery to see how I was doing and remind me to start using the various eye drops needed post-​op. Scheduling appointments was always easy and the doctor was always on time to see me. Natalie was wonderful in answering all of my questions and always encouraged me to call if I ever had more.
Recovery was as expected and a month post op I was seeing ²⁰⁄₂₀. If you’re researching Ophthalmologists, look no further, Dr. Tracy is as good as it gets!

Professionalism at its finest! What a wonderful team Dr. Tracy and his wife, Natalie make! At Carlsbad Eye Care, you will find a doctor who truly loves his profession and truly cares for his patients. I was recommended this place by my sister and have been thanking her ever since. Dr. Tracy has the best bedside manners and professionalism I have seen in any doctor. He will listen to you and really get to know you. I love his method of practice, which is to treat you with the least invasive treatments and then work from there if needed. I even took my mom here and her previous ophthalmologist gave her some very aggressive medicines which could have done more bad than good. Dr Tracy took a look at her medications and told her she really only needed two out of the four she had and advised her to take the least aggressive ones. He treated her condition that visit and my mother felt so good that instant! She had never felt such relief in years she said! I am very greatful for Dr. Tracy and for Natalie who not only has she advised some very helpful techniques to me, but has been extremely patient and encouraging. I truly trust Dr. Tracy with my eyes and am truly truly greatful for this wonderful team. I recommend Carlsbad Eye Care 100% to anyone!

Go to Carlsbad Eye Care and know that you will be in very good hands. I felt like I was receiving celebrity or VIP treatment the entire time. The attention to detail, organizational skills, preparation, and customer service were unbeatable. I’ve had contacts for 25 years and for the first time in my adult life, I can just get up and go in the morning. Goodbye eye infections, dry eyes, and inconvenience. Hello freedom from glasses and contacts.
One of the best choices I’ve ever made and I’m so glad I went to Dr. Tracy!

I had prk done a month ago and I’m very happy with the results so far. I just had my 4 week checkup and I was able to see the ²⁰⁄₁₅ line fairly easily. I’m excited to see if it continues to improve since I’m told prk can take a few months to stabilize. Dr. Tracy and his wife Natalie are very knowledgeable and kind. I don’t regret my decision and would do it all over again. Five stars.

I found Dr. Tracy thru Groupon. My husband had PRK done in February. I took him to the procedure, Dr. T was absolutely great. I also am one of those difficult customers so I called Natalie a few times with many questions. This is my husband and his eyes so I was worried about using a Groupon, Natalie was so comforting and answered all my questions. My husband is doing great, he followed all directions, still uses his tear drops when his eyes feel dry. I have given Dr. T and his wife a ton of referrals, this is a couple that we all can learn from, they work great together, do a great job, Dr. T is one of the best Docs ever.
A++++++++

UPDATE:
It is now 11 months post op and I am so glad I decided to go thru with the procedure. Getting the PRK done was the best investment I’ve spent. The op was fast and not as bad as I thought it would be. Recovery was longer but it was amazing seeing the progress my eye sight went thru. Now it’s better than ²⁰⁄₂₀. My final check up is in a few days!

Dr Tracey and Natalie are an AMAZING team! They are both super Professional and extremely knowledgeable! From begining to now almost 1 month later my experience with CEC has been nothing but a happy occasion. I have never known so much about my eyes! Dr Tracey takes his time and happily answers any questions concerning this subject… YOUR EYES!!!
From the initial consultation to all follow-​up appointments (which are all very necessary) I had my procedure done April 2^nd and am happy to report I have no use for my glasses or contact lenses as of April 2^nd!!! I am super happy with the outcome and it really made the entire process that much better knowing my team, Dr. Tracy and Natalie were there ready to answer any questions or concerns.
What a fabulous experience! Very happy, Thank you Dr. Tracey and Natalie!!! I CAN SEE!!! :)

I am writing this a little more than six months since my PRK surgery with Dr. Tracy, and I continue to be extraordinarily happy with the whole experience.
The takeaways: If you are considering laser eye surgery, you need to be committed to having a number of appointments over a few months; you need to take a few days off following the surgery; and you need patience for the first 2 – 8 weeks while your eyes heal and your vision improves. If you can do all that, you will be rewarded with fabulous healthy eagle eyes!!! I am so grateful for my perfect vision and my flawless experience with Dr. Tracy and Natalie.
My story:
I looked for a groupon for laser eye surgery and when I found one with Dr. Tracy/​Carlsbad Eye Care, I then went to Unilocal and read all the great reviews of him here. I researched eye surgery, both lasik and PRK, and then bought the deal.
It was easy to schedule appointments. Natalie was sweet, always pleasant to talk to, and scheduling was always straightforward. I ran late a couple of times and she was so accommodating. There was an initial consultation and then I think another appointment or two before surgery. One con for me was all the trips from San Diego to Carlsbad for appointments, but it was worth it.
Dr. Tracy is direct, thorough, honest, efficient, and good-​natured. He gives great explanations and will make sure all your questions and concerns are addressed. He has a goofy personality but a serious approach to his work and an earnest pleasure in helping his patients. After discussing the options, PRK seemed like the right choice for me. PRK and Lasik are quite similar, with similarly great results and low risks. Dr. Tracy convinced me that PRK would be a slightly better fit for my eyes.
I had my surgery on a Thursday (I believe all his surgeries are on this day) at the end of September 2014. The surgery itself took around 15 minutes and was not stressful for me at all. A friend drove me home and then I was out of commission Thursday-​Sunday as my eyes healed. Honestly, those first few days were pretty rough. My eyes were in pain and I kept them closed much of the time. Painkillers make me sick, so I took the absolute minimum possible. But I looked at that time as a forced break from the busy demands of life, and spent lots of time meditating and listening to music and podcasts.
The first month after surgery was a time of healing. My vision was blurry at first, but got better day by day. I was rigorous about putting in all the various eye-​drops according to the doctor’s instructions. I had regular follow up appointments with Dr. Tracy. At the end of two months, my vision was perfect. Dr. Tracy has me continuing to use rewetting eye drops several times a day, just to help lubricate and heal and make my eyes the very best possible. I follow his instructions, but I want to be clear that it doesn’t feel like my eyes need anything. They feel GREAT!
If your circumstances allow, I highly recommend that you undertake this wonderful, life-​changing decision and that you do it with Dr. Tracy.

Dr. Tracey is awesome! I have a birth defect that leaves me with only one good eye.
I was having some issues with the good eye and was very worried. I called the office because I liked his face, and his reviews on line. The receptionist, Natalie could not have been more helpful or kinder to me. I met Dr. Tracey today and he hit it out of the park! .All of my concerns were checked out and patiently explained, leaving me greatly relieved. I felt he cared for me and my condition. I feel totally confident that I am in the best hands possible with Dr. Tracey and am thrilled to have found him. I know that no matter what the future holds for my eyes Dr. Tracey has my back.
Pam Carr, Oceanside

I’m writing this review 2 weeks after my PRK surgery and I couldn’t be happier. I thoroughly did my research before choosing a doctor and I am so glad I went with Dr. Tracy and Natalie. They are both very kind, knowledgeable and generous with their time. Dr. Tracy’s «bedside manner» is outstanding — you will not leave his office with any lingering questions.
The procedure itself is uncomfortable, but it’s quick — you can tolerate anything for 1 minute per eye! They prepared me over and over again for what to expect the days following the procedure and they were spot on with everything. I did get anxious for that first week with the initial blurriness and my go to mantra was, «Dr. Tracy and Natalie said this would happen.» A week later I was seeing 20/​20, minus some sharpness of images. Now that I am 2 weeks out, I really feel like my vision is pretty much what it was with the contacts, but I can tell there’ll be a little more sharpening in the future.
I’m so glad I went through with this. It’s money well spent and I am thrilled to never have to put another contact in my eye again!

Dr. Tracey and Natalie make a really great duo. They both make me feel really comfortable with everything and you can tell they care about the patient. They lay out all your options and even told me that keeping glasses would be safest option, so you know that there is no pressure obtain the surgery. But I still opted for PRK and I have to say, I’m very happy with my decision. They made it very personable the whole way and personally make sure you’re taken care of. From doing the measurements himself to Natalie making calls to go over procedures and reminders for the meds. Dr Tracey takes every precaution and gathers as much data on your eyes as possible to prepare for the surgery. I highly recommend them if you decide to have corrective surgery. Thanks a lot you both!!!

Dr. Tracy is phenomenal! Forget looking elsewhere! I was searching doctors for LASIK/​PRK and came across a Groupon regarding Dr. Tracy. I did my research ahead of time and decided to go with Dr. Tracy. First of all, he is an expert in his field. He runs all the eye tests and surgeries himself. Such a wonderful bedside manner. His wife, Natalie, runs the office and is such a wonderful woman. Clean, friendly and warm office. You will NOT be disappointed!
Btw, we decided PRK was best for me and I can’t be happier with the results! Best decision ever! Thank you Dr. Tracy and Natalie, I will continue to recommend you to anyone who is looking to get their vision corrected!

Dr. Tracy is AMAZING.
Him and his wife Natalie make an awesome team. They are so friendly and helpful and their office is really nice and professional!
–I did my PRK surgery back in June and I am so glad I did it with them. I have ²⁰⁄₁₀ vision now! wowzers! & My vision was really bad too! Dr. Tracy is a passionate doctor who really wants to help his patients and gives them the best experience. Pick him to do your procedure, I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!

I first purchased my lassik through groupon and I was very nervous about it. I am so glad I made that decision, Dr. Tracy and his wife are both amazing. I have been going through a cycle of migraines and I had to re-​schedule my appointment several times. Luckily, the receptionist Natalie was very understanding and waited till I felt better to re-​schedule. She even told me I can cancel my groupon because it expires and they will still give me the same low price. Overall, they both make you feel very comfortable and are always happy to answer your questions anytime.
I got the PRK, the Dr. told me it was a better option for me because I was younger and it is a lot safer than lassik because there is no flap. On the day of the surgery I was nervous, they put numbing drops in your eyes give you valume to relax you. I immediately felt better when I saw the doctor. My parents came with me and they were actually able to watch the whole procedure from the window on the big screen TV. It was only 10 minutes for both eyes! and the Doctor walks you through the procedure. He explains what he will do next and tells you what you will feel.
The recovery procedure is a bit uncomfortable but totally manageable, you get a lot of painkillers to help you get through it. I am now two months after surgery and my vision gets better every day. I saw perfect vision right after surgery but it gets better every day. There are a lot of eye drops that you need to put in your eyes very frequently but it is worth it.
Overall, I am 100% satisfied with my experience, I have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision and I still can’t believe I don;t have to wear contacts ever again. Thank you Dr. Tracy you are amazing!

5 stars all around!
I was at ease the moment I stepped into his office. Both Natalie and Dr Tracy are very friendly and easy to talk to. They made information easy to absorb and very clear. By the time I left the first office visit, i wasn’t nervous or anxious, but excited for the big day.
On the day of the surgery, everything was just as easy and smooth. There was no pain and very little discomfort (more psychological effect of eyelid retractors… brrr) I walked out of the office, already with better vision and perfectly happy. The pain was moderate for the first 3 days, only if I don’t apply the numbing eye drops at least every 2 hours.. I had ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision by the first week, and no discomfort. Now I’m 5 months post-​op and everything’s still great.
Thanks Natalie and Dr Tracy, I don’t miss the pain of dry contacts and glasses that slide down my nose at all :)

This place is great. I had an eye exam with them today because I’ve had significant dry/​red eye issues the past couple years. Dr. Tracy is very knowledgeable on anything and everything that has to do with your eyes.
He diagnosed my problem quickly and told me I probably don’t even need glasses! The optometrist I went to a couple years ago immediately assumed it was a vision problem and wasn’t anywhere near as knowledgeable.
Dr. Tracy was very friendly and his wife, Natalie, that works there with him is also very friendly. They have a very nice office and got me in for an appointment within a week of calling.
I’ll definitely be recommending them to anyone who has eye troubles.

One week after seeing this doctor, my eyes are 90% improved thanks to his spot on diagnosis. Can’t thank you enough for your medical expertise and kindness. I can finally fall asleep without being in so much discomfort.
Thank you so much!

I got PRK done on May 30^th of this year by Dr. Tracy, and I have to say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Dr. Tracy and his wife Natalie are extremely friendly and accommodating. I was tired of wearing glasses and contacts and Dr. Tracy was great at explaining the process and possible risks in a simple and easy to understand manner. I live down in Chula Vista, but it was definitely worth the drive to get such amazing service. Just days after surgery, my vision was exceptionally better, and just a couple weeks later I have better than ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision.
I highly recommend anyone to see Dr. Tracy for PRK or LASIK, you won’t be disapointed!

I find myself very lucky to have found Dr. Tracy for my PRK surgery, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND him for LASIK or PRK.
He and his wife Natalie were EXTREMELY attentive throughout the entire process. They were very patient in answering all my questions, and then even answering questions I didn’t even think to ask!
It’s a great pleasure to meet with them every time, and they make you feel like you are the most important person at every moment.
Although I was very anxious about the surgery, Dr. Tracy had such an impressive bedside manner that I quickly felt at ease during the whole process, as he talked me through each of the stages. Of course, I also can’t forget to thank the staff at the San Diego Eye Bank for their comfort and professionalism throughout the procedure as well! Three cheers!
I am now five days post-​surgery and my eyes feel great!
All the extra steps that he takes to reduce the discomfort, haze, and other side effects are greatly appreciated!
I am very much looking forward to years of perfect vision following my PRK surgery!

Dr. Tracy and his wife Natalie (who works as receptionist in the office) are amazing! I had been considering LASIK or PRK for years and kept putting it off because I couldn’t find a Dr I trusted.
Once I met Dr. Tracy I felt completely comfortable and decided to go ahead with PRK after he explained the risks and benefits of PRK and LASIK. I am very active so PRK was a better option for me and I felt confident Dr. Tracy would do an excellent job!
The surgery itself was quick and easy and Dr. Tracy explained everything he was doing so I felt comfortable. I experienced some pain for the first few days but the pain meds helped and I was able to sleep a lot and recover quickly. I took the pain meds for 3 – 4 days and then I didn’t need them anymore. I wasn’t able to see well enough to drive for the first week but by the second week my vision improved enough for me to do everything I used to do with contacts and has continued to improve each month.
It has been 5 months now since my surgery and I have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision with no halos, sensitivity to light or other complications.
Dr. Tracy and Natalie are always available right away if I have a concern or question and are so personable, I am so happy I chose Carlsbad Eye Care for my surgery!
My husband had PRK years ago through the military and asked Dr. Tracy a million questions which he was happy to take the time to answer. My husband is a pilot and very concerned about his vision so he was very thorough in his research and questioning — so if he felt confident that Dr. Tracy would do a good job then I did too!
Not being dependent on contacts/​glasses has completely changed my life and my only regret is not doing PRK sooner! I am so thankful I found Dr. Tracy and I will absolutely recommend anyone considering PRK or LASIK to him!