LASIK

Now my vision is better than 20/20.

Electing to have LASIK surgery is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!  After having a consultation with Tony Reynolds and Dr. Richard Hoffman, I felt comfortable enough to go ahead with the surgery.  Dr. Hoffman completed the entire procedure in less than 15 minutes.  Amazing!

Now my vision is better than 20/20.  Not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for my new “bionic” eyes.  It's especially nice to go outside without getting raindrops on my glasses!  Dr. Hoffman and his staff gave me a wonderful experience and even better results.  I would recommend them to anyone!
Barbara Rice

Sharing New Vision

I had LASIK and could not be happier with the results. I went in seeing 20/400 and I am now 20/15! As I told Dr. Packer, the surgery was worth 5 times the cost! My eyes are no longer drained and tired after working at a computer all day. I don’t have to stress out about getting make-up in my contacts or losing them if I am skiing or scuba diving. It saves me lots of time getting ready in the morning. Inevitably, if I was ever late for an appointment, that would be the day that I would get a tear or dirt in my contacts!

I tell all my friends to have the surgery. It was so easy, your office was very professional yet friendly and it was quick! My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
Kristie Sampson

Improves your quality of life

I started wearing glasses at age seven. After having the LASIK procedure, I wonder why I waited so long to have it done. I thought at first it was for vanity, but now I realize it also improves your quality of life. No more cleaning my glasses and no more pushing them up on my nose. I am able to wear good sunglasses. I can see my alarm clock. The list of improvements goes on and on. It has been a freeing experience for me.

Dr. Hoffman did an exemplary job explaining the procedure and with the follow up. The staff was very professional and made me feel quite comfortable with the process. I would recommend the procedure to anyone.
Shane Johnson

The surgery is painless, fast and life changing.

I am writing in praise of my recent LASIK eye surgery and Dr. Fine. Let me start by saying I am someone who doesn’t even like to have my blood drawn. Despite my nervousness, I went ahead with the LASIK procedure to correct my astigmatism and nearsightedness and I am so glad I did. The surgery is painless, fast and life changing. I found Dr. Fine and his entire staff to be professional, quick and helpful.

Just 8 hours after my surgery I was already seeing very clearly. The next day my vision was perfect and I even made the drive back to Klamath Falls. I would highly recommend Dr. Fine and LASIK.
Kelley “Minty” Morris
KOTI-TV News Anchor & Reporter, Klamath Falls, Oregon

My Life Has Been Changed Forever

Wow! It’s been just over a month since I underwent the LASIK procedure performed by Dr. Packer to correct my nearsightedness. I am not exaggerating when I say my life has been changed forever.

When I left the office immediately after the surgery and could read the stop sign across the street, I knew something incredible had happened to me. I could go on about the many areas of my daily life that have been impacted by this simple procedure and the joy I have felt this month.

I will never take for granted the miracle of being able to see clearly now. What Dr. Packer and your staff have done for me has been a blessing in ways too numerous to count. The only way I can thank you is to proudly share my story with others.
Kevin “KJ” Waltz, KDUK Air Personality

New Vision

I have spent forty-three years wearing corrective lenses, either glasses or contacts, and this year I thought I would treat myself to the special birthday present of new eyesight. After having LASIK performed by Dr. Richard Hoffman, I feel as if I have been given the gift of a new life, not just new vision. I have wondered for years what it would be like to see without wearing glasses, and now I know what I have been missing.
Alana Rhodes

What a Wonderful Experience

Life was a blur without contacts before my LASIK surgery with Dr. Fine. I decided to have monovision LASIK surgery and now I couldn’t be happier. This past Saturday I not only saw the Ducks win but I could also see the lines on the field and read the program! It was also great to be able to read the players’ numbers as they contributed to a Duck victory. I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience.
Debra Ellingboe

What Can I Say?

Recently, while looking for a LASIK clinic, several people who have had the procedure recommended Dr. Fine and his staff. They raved about the staff’s courtesy and professionalism and the special calming effect upon their arrival on their big day. I am the skeptic and like to see for myself. I honestly thought there wasn’t any way that these people could meet my standards. I was very wrong.

From my first time in the office, I felt comfortable and pleased with Dr. Fine and his staff. They worked around my difficult schedule and were able to answer all my questions with a genuine smile. They love what they are doing.

Now to the surgery…What can I say? I’ve worn glasses for twenty years. Without them I couldn’t see more than five inches in front of me. Now, I amazingly see without glasses or contact lenses, there is no glare from lenses and colors seem brighter. Being an active swimmer, the biggest thing for me is to be able to open my eyes under water, free of goggles.

The surgery itself was a piece of cake, too. I literally walked in and in about ten minutes I went from being blind to seeing. How can anything like that be put into words?

I just wanted to write a letter to say thank you. It is the best choice I ever made and I wish the wonderful staff and Dr. Fine well. Thank you…even though I feel that is small in comparison to what you have given to me.
Garrison Courtney, Local TV Weather Anchor

CRYSTALENS - [ top ]

Personalized Care

After 30 years I was becoming increasingly intolerant of wearing contacts. Since I participate in many outdoor activities including biking, hiking and volunteer as a firefighter/medic along with my profession as a nurse, my increasing dependence on glasses was becoming impractical. I was referred to Dr. Packer and after a consultation and comprehensive eye/vision evaluation it was determined that I was not a good candidate for LASIK, but I was a good candidate for the crystalens implant.

After having both lenses implanted, my distance vision is now 20/15 and my near vision is improving daily. I am thrilled to be free of glasses, able to bike and hike in the rain, and respond to fire calls without needing other visual aids. Unless a person has been dependent on glasses or contacts for all their activities they may not be able to understand how liberating it is to no longer need them.

I found the staff at Dr. Packer’s office and the surgical center professional yet caring. They personalized my experience and answered all my questions along with my phone calls in a friendly and competent manner. The operations were efficient and not at all unpleasant. Any anxiety I had was dealt with competently and I was quickly put at ease by the nurses and nurse anesthetist. The post op appointments were also thorough. Marcos, Ed and Dr. Packer would cheerfully answer my questions for the umpteenth time. It was reassuring to know that my new lenses were being monitored so closely.
Rachel Owen

My vision has been terrible since I was a small child.  I wore hard contacts from the age of 11 until I turned 50 when l learned that that I was no longer a candidate for contacts due to my severe astigmatism.  Unfortunately laser surgery was not an option for the same reason.  I travel a great deal on business and reading street signs or airport arrival and departure boards was becoming difficult even with my glasses.  My sight was so bad that I couldn’t even recognize my business partner’s front door and spent several minutes ringing the wrong doorbell!

In July of 2004, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal on the Crystalens just after it received FDA approval and I immediately emailed Dr. Packer’s office.  Tony Reynolds responded the same day and over the course of six months, we changed the way I see the world.  I can't tell you what a difference the surgery has made to my business and my personal life.  The minute the first surgery was completed, I found I could read the clock on the far wall!

The care I received at Dr. Packer’s office was first rate.  The staff is professional, but good natured and they go out of their way to help you.  I can't thank Joan and the technicians enough for getting me in over the holidays when my travel schedule was light -- they are the best.

My husband was a golf professional and always wanted me to be able to see where my ball landed.  He died in October 2004 and so he will never know that this year, that's exactly what I'll be able to do.  Thanks Dr. Packer ... you changed my life!
Jean Folwell

ARRAY LENS - [ top ]

I never dreamed I could see so clear!

Jaime R. Jaramilo was in a car accident in 1975 which caused his eyesight to gradually get worse over time.  When we first saw him in 1998 his best corrected vision was 20/50 which made him feel he could no longer drive safely.  Jaime chose to have the ARRAY lens implanted during cataract surgery. Immediately after surgery he could see things clearer than he could ever remember and his vision just kept getting better over the next several weeks.  As Jaime stated, "I never dreamed I could see so clear and the colors are so bright again.  I can see to drive again and I'm no longer dependent on others to get me to appointments or social activities.  I prayed that Dr. Fine could help make my vision better and he did.  I am so grateful for Dr. Fine and his wonderful staff for all they've done."
Jaime R. Jaramilo

This was a gift!

Ms. Brown started wearing glasses at age 7 and she hated them because they slipped down her nose and weren’t comfortable. In her teenage years she began wearing hard contacts which were somewhat uncomfortable but better than wearing glasses. She eventually started wearing soft lenses, and then multifocal contact lenses which never seemed to fully correct her vision. Later she found she could only wear the contact lenses for 6 to 8 hours at a time. Being a teacher she wanted the freedom from glasses so she could concentrate on her students.

Forever looking for a better solution to correct her vision she heard about LASIK. She came in for a LASIK screening and found that LASIK wouldn’t give her all ranges of vision which she desired. Dr. Fine explained another option to her-the ARRAY multifocal lens implant. She welcomed the possibility of seeing near, intermediate and far away without glasses or contact lenses. Now its 4 years later and she is seeing great. “This was a gift,” said Ms. Brown. She’s working on research projects more now than ever and is more physically active since her eye surgery. “I wish my ear doctor’s devices would advance as much as my eye doctor’s devices.”
Billie Brown

REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE - [ top ]

I can see without glasses for the first time in my life.

For the past several years I have been contemplating doing something to correct my vision. I conducted extensive research on the variety of treatment options available and opted for Refractive Lens Exchange, which would, in addition to correcting my vision, eliminate the need for cataract surgery in the future. I also learned that the newest type of lens (CrystaLens™) would correct my near vision so I would no longer need to use reading glasses. As to who should do the procedure, that was easy. Throughout my research the name Dr. I. Howard Fine kept appearing. He was one of the principal investigators in the FDA-monitored clinical trial of the lens, and he is one of a select few ophthalmologists in the US performing this procedure. Best of all, he was right here in Eugene. 

Prior to surgery, I met with Dr. Fine and his staff who conducted the most thorough eye exams I have ever had. His staff was extremely courteous and professional, making the experience quite pleasant. The actual surgery was almost a let down; it was so easy and absolutely painless, taking only an hour. There was a tremendous improvement in the operated eye immediately. Two weeks later, the second eye was done. It has now been a month and I can see without glasses for the first time in my life. As the Chief Driving Instructor for the Oregon Region of the Sports Car Club of America, I have always had to put up with wearing glasses inside my helmet, and many times they fogged up, causing some anxious moments at very high speed. Now that has all changed due to the wonderful results from surgery.  

I have absolutely no reservations in recommending this procedure. Dr . Fine and his staff provided thoroughly professional, gentle care. I have a feeling that I am going to be the first of many who opt for this procedure.
Gregory N. Lund

Life Changing

I am writing to let you know how my life has changed since I received my multifocal lens implants. First, I can see! I can see to thread needles, read a paper, read small print on documents, or look out my window at the fir trees and even the cones on them. I can see what kinds of birds are at the feeder, and read a road map while traveling. Recently, while trying to find an address, I was the one who saw a street sign first. I was never able to do that before; street signs were nothing but a fuzzy blur. Now I can do it without squinting. I just wanted to say how grateful I am to everyone at Drs. Fine, Hoffman & Packer. You have truly changed my life, and now I will never have to worry about cataracts. Thank you.
Sharon Wagner

What a Difference!

What a difference in my life! I feel like I have a new lease on sight after my refractive lens exchange. Dr. Fine and his staff were excellent! I knew that I was in the right place after one call to their office. They answered all of my questions readily. I was surprised at their breadth of knowledge about refractive surgery, and it certainly was a refreshing change from the other offices that I had called who had fumbled around with vague answers to my inquiries.
Bob Hauser

CATARACT SURGERY - [ top ]

Stress Relief!

When I was told I had cataracts I was shocked. I had heard about cataracts but never thought I had developed them. After listening to Dr. Fine explain what cataracts were and the surgical process, I felt a little more at ease, however, I still needed time to think about actually having the surgery. After several days I called back to schedule the surgery. This was the best thing I had done for myself in awhile. I didn’t realize how much I was straining to see and how stressful it had become worrying about the simple things like walking down steps and reading the newspaper. I had stopped driving at night because I didn’t see as well in the dark and oncoming headlights were so bright.

I noticed the biggest changes in my vision and confidence after having the second eye surgery. That’s when I realized how stressful not seeing well had been and how liberating it felt to see without difficulty again. Now my vision is fantastic. Everyone at Dr. Fine’s office was helpful, kind, compassionate and professional.

Thank you for my new sight!
Madeline Kuykendall

I went to Dr. Fine for a second opinion regarding a difficult and challenging cataract surgery. Previous eye surgery done elsewhere years ago had left unpleasant memories, so I went in with a healthy dose of skepticism and anxiety. I asked a lot of questions and discovered differences in the approach contemplated by Dr. Fine. This resulted in many hours of research, not only of the various differences but also of Dr. Fine. The more research I did, the more impressed I became. After weeks of researching and asking follow-up questions, I finally decided on Dr. Fine for the surgery.

The surgery was performed under topical anesthesia and was due to the complicated nature. As it turned out, the surgery and recovery were much easier than all the research and debate over who would perform the surgery warranted. There was virtually no discomfort from the time the surgery started through the recovery period. I even went on my first mountain bike ride 4 days after surgery with complete confidence.

So how did it turn out? The improvement is not just good, it is spectacular! For the first time ever I can see my 5 year old son out of that eye and see him with nearly 20/20 vision. I want to thank not only Dr. Fine (who knocked the ball out of the park), but the entire staff for their patience (I asked a lot of questions!), professionalism, and obvious dedication to upholding the highest standards. What started out with anxiety has turned out to be one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had.
Michael Potter

At the young age of 81, my eyes were giving me trouble. I went to see a local ophthalmologist to see what was wrong. I was very unhappy with that experience and decided to get a second opinion. An ophthalmologist in California told me I had a world-renowned ophthalmologist very near me in Oregon. I immediately made an appointment. Five minutes with Dr. Fine and I knew I had the right doctor.

After a very thorough examination, he told me he would take one cataract out this week and the other one next week. To my great and happy surprise, there were no stitches, no patches and no restrictions on my activities. Two days later I played golf. The following week the second cataract was out and, the greatest thing of all, Dr. Fine had given me 20/20 vision! I used to ask my golfing partner, "Where did my ball go?" Now he asks me where his ball went.
D. Gray Found

MISCELLANEOUS - [ top ]

Deep Thanks

I had been wishing I could do something about my vision because I hated having to wear my trifocal glasses and could tell that my eyes were getting worse. My eyesight was so poor that, without my glasses, I could not tell whether or not my grandchildren were smiling at Grandma, even when I was holding them in my arms. I knew I had to do something. I had heard the radio commercial for Drs. Fine, Hoffman & Packer, so I called and made an appointment. I got to see Dr. Packer who he told me he could help me so that I would no longer be dependent on glasses. Of course, at that time, he didn't know that I would be one of his difficult patients, but he never gave up on me. It took over a year, and multiple surgeries, but he did it. I'm so thankful for him and his staff. They were always so positive, and I appreciate all of them so much. I do recommend Drs. Fine, Hoffman & Packer to my family, friends and anyone who needs an eye doctor. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
Sharlene Dirks

Marjorie Wilkinson is a patient with some very special accomplishments to share. She was one of the first female Alaskan bush pilots and hunting guides. She received her first pilot’s license in 1948 and went on to get her commercial license one year later. She was in the air 364 days a year, piloting planes outfitted with skis in the winter and floats in the summer. She would fly parties of ten in and out of the Alaskan bush for fall moose hunts followed by caribou, sheep, and bear the last hunt of the season. Marjorie was in high demand “because she could fly and cook, and if there was a woman in the party, it made her feel more comfortable.”

Margie is quite a markswoman, too. She claims her “new eyes” allow her to “hit dead center now!” Out of necessity, she learned a lot about guns in her days in the bush and brought us the target in which she recently shot four bullseyes in a row at 100 yards with her 357 Magnum. Margie also shares a great love of motorcycles with Dr. Fine and brought in this picture of her on her Harley.