Laser Eye Center of Carolina

My experience working with Dr. Dornic and his entire staff was outstanding. I had my surgery seven weeks ago and it’s been nothing short of life changing. I’m seeing ²⁰⁄₂₀ (maybe better), my depth perception and night vision has improved, and the dreaded dry eye is already starting to go away. I would say that I’ve gotten to the point where I forgotten that I once had surgery, but it’s impossible to forget being able to see this well constantly. And we’re talking about a dramatic change; my vision was 20/​300, I had a bad astigmatism in one eye, and no contact lens in the world was comfortable for more than 30 min. Which brings me to how well Dr. Dornic took care of me. From my initial consultation through the recovery period, I never once felt as though I was a number or just another set of eyeballs to zap; honestly, I kind of felt like I was family. So when it came time to decide, I was able to make the decision to have the procedure knowing that if there were any reason not to have the surgery, Dr. Dornic simply wouldn’t have done it. I know from experience that even «minor» surgery isn’t minor, and when you consider any kind of surgery, you want to be confident that, if you were the surgeon’s son, daughter, husband, etc., they would perform the procedure. I got that confidence with Dr. Dornic, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Seriously, you can’t imagine how awesome it is to be able to just throw on a pair of sunglasses without having to plan for it!

Dr. D is the real deal! Talk about being made to feel comfortable when you’re about to undergo a LASIK procedure on your eyes. The operation changed my life and I’m now seeing ²⁰⁄₁₅ in one eye and ²⁰⁄₂₀ in the other after not being able to drive without corrective lenses! It’s very clear by how Dr. Dornic interacts with his patients that he truly lives and breathes to help people.
The office does get a bit busy at times, but I’m convinced it’s worth the wait. Lots of people in the office means only one thing — lots of people that trust him and his service.
I feel very confident in recommending Dr. Dornic and his practice to anyone and everyone interested in LASIK surgery.
And if you feel even the least bit hesitant, take a trip to the «green room» at his office and check out all the awards on the walls. You’ll feel confident after that.

I really hate writing bad reviews, but I hate getting bad service too. And by service, I include wait time and post visit communications. My actual short time with Dr. Dornic was fine and I liked him personally.
Here’s how my visit on Sept 22^nd went. My optometrist had recommended Dr. Dornic so I called that day to see if I could be seen. They said they had a 3pm and 5pm. Since it was 2pm and I had some availability I was thrilled to get a 3pm appt! I headed straight over. Arrived just a little bit early. Saw a packed waiting room. Completed paperwork and sat down. 30 minutes later, I was greeted. My name is very easy to pronounce, yet it was mispronounced. The lady who took me back did not bother to introduce herself. Took me into a room to get insight on why I was there. Then escorted me to a secondary waiting room. This was a very dark, small room. Another 30 minutes and there were so many people waiting in there that there were not enough seats and people were standing. I got tired of waiting so I went to the front desk to complain. Then I was escorted to the office manager, who sternly informed me that they were doing the best that they could considering that they were working me in. I got a lecture about how they fit me in and that they had to do some emergency shot that afternoon, which held things up. Way to make me feel crappy. Then it seemed like they put a rush on things so I was taken into a patient room.
Dr. Dornic came in. Very nice man. When he asked how I was, I told him I was frustrated about the whole waiting situation and he also lamented that they should have told me that they were working me in. Told him what I was dealing with: extremely dry eyes, so dry that they hurt. He recommended two kinds of specialty drops and these plugs to put in my tear ducts. Yes, plugs in my eyes. I questioned what the cost would be. Handed me some coupons. Went to the front desk. They didn’t know how much to charge me. He gave me a low rate, I believe because of my extensive wait and some personal extenuating circumstances. The girls up front could not run my card so I asked that a receipt be emailed to me the next day confirming the amount and that it was run. No receipt came the next day; I called. So, a receipt was emailed. Left a message asking about cost of said plugs. No call back.
I called on Tuesday the 29^th. Apparently, a medication I was on may possibly be causing the dry eyes so I called the office to let them know that a potential side effect was «contacts problems.» Still. I asked a price for said plugs. No call back. I asked if an outline of Dr. Dornic’s plan of care could be provided for me, an email perhaps, so I could better understand what we went over. A few days later, still nothing. I called on Friday and was told that both Dr. Dornic and the office manager were out of the office and would be until Tuesday. Rather unfortunate that there was no follow up before either of the individuals who could get me this information departed.
On the evening of October 5^th, I randomly received an email from Dr. Dornic. I thanked him profusely for emailing and replied, needing more information. Apparently he was taking care of things while wrapping up vacation, unbeknownst to me. I hoped for a reply, especially since I still needed to make some decisions. Nothing came via email. So, I called a couple of days later. With each time I had to call, I became more frustrated. Not only is this a harmful way to ensure someone is able to get timely information for their health, but a bad way to run a business.
By Thursday, October 8^th, I was tired of this game. I didn’t have time to continue making so many calls. I called and, I admit very agitated, demanded information and/​or my records. The receptionist agreed to email me a release so that I could obtain my records. I didn’t want to find a new doctor, originally, but wanted that insight, especially a cost of the plan of care! Here we are, exactly two weeks later, and I haven’t received them so I called this afternoon to request, once again, to obtain them.
I’ve since mentioned my slow experience at Dr. Dornic’s and the bad communication to other community members, including medical providers, and they were not shocked to hear my tale… sad, really, because he was such a nice man. I genuinely liked him, but that’s a bad practice.
By the way, last Tuesday, October 13^th, I went to Wake Ophthalmology. It was like a totally different planet. Incredible service, communication, care, and information! Stay tuned for that review… can’t say enough good things about Dr. Compton.

I went here for a free Lasik consultation. The office seemed very overbooked. I waited over 30 minutes after my appointment time before being taken back. When I went back they did a few tests that only took about 5 minutes and then the doctor told me I was a good candidate for Lasik. After that I meet with someone to discuss the costs, which were higher than another Lasik competitor in the area that offers more extensive testing before deciding if your a good candidate. Do yourself a favor and compare a few different Lasik places in the area. Lasik is a big investment so you want to ensure you get it done at a place that is thorough and makes you feel like they have your best interest in mind.

I just had surgery yesterday and I couldn’t be happier! I went in for the consultation after getting tired of glasses and contacts. The initial consult was quick and easy. Dr. Dornic gave me several options to address my vision problems, one being LASIK. I was tired of glasses/​contacts so I scheduled my surgery for two months later. You have to be free of lake/​ocean/​pool water after surgery so I waited until after pool season.
The staff prepped me for surgery by calling ahead with instructions and getting a prescription to the pharmacy so I could get the drops prior to surgery. The day of surgery went smooth. The staff was pleasant and attentive. The procedure itself took less than 10 minutes and really was painless. The staff provided post surgery instructions which were clear and written for me to take home. They gave me phone numbers to call before and after hours in case I needed it.
I did some comparison shopping and found Dr. Dornic’s fee to be on the high end BUT his fees include follow up appts, eye drops, meds, everything needed. Most others quoted price just for surgery with meds and follow up extra.
As for the post surgery, I suggest having a dark, quiet place to rest for at least six hours after. The numbing medicine from surgery wears off about 30 mins after surgery. If pain medicine is allowed, be prepared with it and take it early on. Same for sleep aid. You will need someone to drive you home and help you with drops, pillows, tissues, food for about 8 hours. You can see after surgery but you can’t keep your eyes open for long and you can’t focus up close too well. The next morning you are pain free and sight is pretty good (it will improve over the coming weeks).
Update Jan 2015– I am now four months post surgery and couldn’t be happier. My vision is better than I could imagine. It took about 2 ½ months for my eyes and brain to adjust. Waking up and being able to see the clock, not having a night time contact routine and being able to scratch my eyes when they itch is the BEST feeling. Having this surgery was money very well spent.

Update: Dr. Dornick’s response was hilarious! The eye surgery was done at Traver’s who I found to be the most experienced and had the best bedside manner. I did not do the Prelex as I went to a 3^rd doctor for evaluation and he advised that it was not needed and not to waste extra money or take the extra risk. I still stand by Traver’s lasik as the best in the region. I strongly suggest consulting with 3 different places before making your decision. Dr. Dornick’s office has proven by their response to be less than professional. They should have just apologized and not tried to make any stabs at a legitimate review. It’s pretty sad that you have to offer «free» lasik to the sports team in exchange for advertising which actually comprises of people who can afford their own surgery.
I wanted to post my experience for the free consultation. The tests for the evaluation were quite fast and probably took no more than 5 minutes total to be considered for the prelex and lasik surgery. Staff was pleasant and were not pushy in the least. I met with the doctor and immediately became creeped out when he kept looking at my chest (I am by no means endowed). I pretty much had to grab the folder with the information to cover my chest to get this doctor to look me in the eye (even looking elsewhere would have been preferred). He appears to have much experience. I guess most patients experience his professionalism, I did not. I had high hopes that I had found a doctor who could help me, but they were dashed quickly by roving eyes.

I figure it’s about time I review this place. I’m a week past my LASIK, and really couldn’t be much happier with the results.
I went in for my consultation on a Tuesday. After doing my due diligence, I decided to do the LASIK here. They scheduled me for the following Tuesday. (Note: Surgery days are on Tuesdays, plus one Friday per month.) I was excited.
My appointment was for 1pm. I was out by 2:30, and most of that was prep time and figuring out payment (they’ll finance it interest free for up to 12 months). They took a bunch of measurements, gave me some drops, gave me a valium, and prepped the machine. Prepping the machine took longer than the actual surgery, and the surgery took about 3 – 4 minutes all total.
I won’t lie — the immediate aftereffects of the surgery are awful. It’s like the worst onion you’ve ever cut, but constant and inescapable. Plan ahead and do everything you can to sleep through that part.
The next day, my vision was ²⁰⁄₂₅ in each eye and ²⁰⁄₂₀ overall. A week later, I was ²⁰⁄₂₀ in each eye. There’s still a little variability in my vision, but that’s expected. And I couldn’t be happier. I can walk in the rain and retain the ability to see, since my glasses aren’t glossed over. I can wake up in the morning and see the clock. I have peripheral vision again. Awesome.

had this done yesterday and i am so pleased i only wish i had it done a long time ago can see better now then i have ever been able too. Thank you very much! the best!

Had I been born before glasses or contacts I would have surely been eaten alive by a tiger or fallen in every deep dark hole in my path. To say my eyesight was bad is quite the understatement. My eyes were –6.5 and –6. I lived in contacts or glasses at all times. I also gave up on keeping an alarm clock by my bedside, why bother, I could not see it without my glasses. I had been thinking about LASIK over the last five or so years. Finally, I decided to get serious and do some research. After reading and searching, I found that Laser Eye Center of Carolina had the most advanced LASIK available and could find only good things about Dr. Dornic and the care he gives his patients. At my consultation, there was no hard sale, but encouragement to go out and visit other centers, compare apples to apples as you might say and decide for myself. I made my appointment for my procedure within the week.
The entire procedure really is painless and quite interesting actually, the laser is like your own private laser light show and enjoyable if you just relax and enjoy the experience. Dr. Dornic’s staff is excited for you and welcomes your questions. I have never felt rushed or hesitated to ask anything. They are personable and caring. My daughter caught a few video shots of my surgery and we have enjoyed showing my friends and family. I also appreciate the fact that I have seen Dr. Dornic at every visit to his office, you will not be expected to deal just with technicians or staff, but will follow up with the doctor at your visits. I also know from other patients that Dr. Dornic has been known to meet people at his office on Saturdays or after hours who thought they had issues that could not wait. I trust my Lasik care to the Laser Eye Center of Carolina and am thrilled with my new eyesight.

Where to begin? I was lucky enough to research and come across Dr. Dornic’s practice at the Laser Eye Center of Carolina just last month. I decided I would treat myself to a consultation and then if I was a candidate, I liked the place/​doctor, and all seemed well, that I would look into getting the surgery sometime next year (2012). Well, I was sold in one appointment and in the care not only of Dr. Dornic, but his professional staff, and treatment planner: Jill. I was very impressed by how upon my initial consultation, a very friendly technician performed a few basic tests on my eyes to map out my cornea and my prescription, and then when I met Dr. Dornic, he was very honest and up front about his procedure and what I could expect (with my eyes and their unique blueprint) post-​surgery.
3 weeks out, I scheduled my procedure, and it is, hands-​down, the best investment I have ever made. And while each person is different, I can see better than I have ever seen before!
I decided to go this route because after 17 years of wearing contacts, I found that my eyes were just plain tired of them. On the day of the surgery, I was made comfortable in the special patient waiting room, and went in & out for the procedures with no trouble at all. Dr. Dornic and his assisting surgical staff were calm, patient, and most importantly willing to educate me on what was being done to my eyes.
Consider yourself very lucky if you find another practice as fantastic as this one; and a doctor as skilled, professional, well-​educated, and caring.
Thank you, Laser Eye Center, for giving me this gift!

Great doc! My husband and I had lasik done on the same day. The procedure does not take long and we are now contact and glasses free. There is no guarantee that you will not have to wear contacts or glasses, but I haven’t met anyone that needed them after this was done minus readin glasses.
We had to go to another office to get our procedure done because there was a part that was broken. It would work, but it would be less precise. I was very impressed with this. The staff also told me that he takes good care of them as well.
The office is very pretty in cary. The main lobby has a huge fountain.
Go here to find an affordable experienced dr. They have payment plans and great discounts. Don’t go anywhere else.