OUT OF TOWN PATIENTS

Because of his international reputation as a leading refractive surgeon, patients come from all over the world to Dr. Updegraff (the Laser Guy) and his LASIK surgery center in St. Petersburg, Florida. In order to accommodate out-of-town patients, we have developed a system that allows you to work with your primary eye care professional for your preliminary tests and post-operative care, and travel to Dr. Updegraff to receive Precision LASIK™. Prior to surgery, we will request that your doctor at home perform a series of preliminary tests on your eyes. Once Dr. Updegraff receives this information, he will be able to determine whether or not you are a Precision LASIK™ candidate. You can then fly to Tampa International Airport or, if you have private air service, into either St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport or Albert Whitted Airport. We will greet you and take you to have your pre-operative care, surgery, and first post-operative visit before returning home. Most patients are cleared to fly the day after their LASIK procedure. Dr. Updegraff will then work closely with your primary doctor to provide your follow-up care.We are happy to help with any of your travel arrangements. If you would like our assistance in planning your trip to Tampa Bay, please call our office at (888) 872-2015 and ask about our concierge service.

Before you arrive, please take note of our list of recommended accommodations and flight information:

NEARBY HOTELS

Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club
501 5th Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
1-727-894-1000
1-888-303-4430
Historic bayside resort with an 18-hole golf course and spa. Located less than 10 minutes from our office.

The Don CeSar
3400 Gulf Boulevard
St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
1-727-360-1881
1-800-282-1116
Upscale beachfront resort with full-service spa, located less than 20 minutes from our office.

Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 First Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
1-727-894-5000
Bayfront hotel located less than 15 minutes from our office.

Postcard Inn
6300 Gulf Boulevard
St Pete Beach, Florida 33706
1-800-875-2347
Beachfront hotel with surfer flare and lots of personality. Located approximately 20 minutes from our office.

FLIGHT INFORMATION

The largest public international airport in Tampa Bay is Tampa International Airport.Tampa International Airport (Located approximately 20 minutes from our office.)
4100 George J. Bean Parkway
Tampa, Florida 33607

St. Petersburg also features two private airports near our office

• St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.
  14700 Terminal Boulevard
  Clearwater, Florida 33762
  1-727-453-7800Runway 4/22: 5,903 feet long (1,799 meters)
  Runway 9/27: 5,165 feet long (1,574 meters)
  Runway 17L/35R: 9,730 feet long (2,966 meters)
  Runway 17R/35L: 4,000 feet long (1,219 meters)
• Albert Whitted Airport (Located less than 15 minutes from our office.)
  540 1st Street South East
  St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
  1-727-893-7654Runway 7/25: 3,677 feet long (1,121 meters)
  Runway 18/36: 2,865 feet long (873 meters)

Cayman Airways
91 Owen Roberts Drive
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. KY1-1001
1-345-949-8200

Many of our patients travel from the Cayman Islands. Cayman Air regularly schedules flights to and from Grand Cayman and Tampa. Until October 2011, the flight schedule is as follows:

Grand Cayman (GCM) – Tampa (TPA)

Tampa (TPA) – Grand Cayman (GCM)