Over the past 20 years, tens of thousands of corrective lens wearers have walked into Palisades Laser Eye Center and left a short time later with an all new view of the world, one that no longer includes glasses or contact lenses.

Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, better known as LASIK, is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. First performed in 1990, LASIK was officially approved by the FDA in 1999, producing immediate vision correction with fewer side effects than other types of eye surgery. As of 2016, Eye World reported that more than 40 million people had undergone the procedure worldwide.

Located in Pomona, New York, Palisades Laser Eye Center is the only laser vision center in Rockland County,m and Dr. Richard Gordon, whose writings have appeared in prestigious ophthalmological journals, is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is not only a skilled LASIK surgeon, he is also living proof of the procedure’s effectiveness, having undergone the procedure himself in 1999.

“I finished training in 1997 when refractive surgery was becoming popular,” Dr. Gordon told The Jewish Link. “We had a lot of demand for the surgery in our ophthalmology practice and were referring patients to LASIK centers in Manhattan and we realized that there was a need for something more local.”

Palisades Laser Eye Center performed its first LASIK surgery in 1999, offering state-of-the-art care at a location that was convenient for those living in Bergen, Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties. The practice is well-known for its warm and inviting vibe, giving patients an opportunity to enjoy a coffee during their consultation as they learn about laser eye surgery and are evaluated to ensure that they are candidates for the procedure.

“There is so much misinformation out there and when people come in, it gives us the ability to dispel their fears,” said Dr. Gordon. “There are no surprises here, no ticking time bombs. Most people who have had the surgery tell us they wish they had done it earlier.”

That level of comfort and patient care extends into the surgical area, where Palisades Laser Eye Care prides itself on staying ahead of the curve, continually upgrading its equipment and honing its skills to offer top-notch medical care that is quick, painless and produces long-lasting, precise results. While he derives immense pleasure out of helping patients improve their vision, Dr. Gordon gets an extra measure of satisfaction fromworking with members of the military and law enforcement, for whom improving their eyesight gives them the ability to better serve others.

Laser eye surgery is an elective procedure which is typically not covered by insurance, but because it is not corporate-owned, Palisades Laser Eye Care is able to deliver boutique level service at prices that are hard to beat. Dr. Gordon warned those considering laser eye surgery not to be lulled by bargain prices offered by some laser eye centers, because they often include add-on fees that bring the final cost significantly higher.

“Compare the overall price,” advised Dr. Gordon. “Many places offer very low printed prices but there is a lot of bait-and-switch going on. We have no doubt that our value is unbeatable.”

Palisades Laser Eye Care typically treats patients ages 20 and up, though they have worked with patients as young as 18 years old. Because the practice has been in operation for so long, Dr. Gordon has seen patients who came in for surgery years ago now bringing their children in to have their vision corrected as well, a vote of confidence that he feels resonates across the generations and for miles around.

“We are closer than you think and we feel we can compete strongly with anyone, anywhere,” said Dr. Gordon. “We firmly believe that our technique and our experience are unmatched, so even for those who live outside of Rockland County, our office is well worth the trip.”

Sandy Eller is a freelance writer who writes for numerous websites, newspapers, magazines and private clients. She can be contacted at [email protected].