Pacific Vision Institute
Pacific Vision Institute is a San Francisco-based, founder-owned refractive surgery practice offering LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, premium lens replacement, and cataract surgery using AI-enhanced surgical nomograms, serving individual consumers across the Bay Area with a reputation-driven, direct-to-consumer model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pacific Vision Institute does
Pacific Vision Institute is a private, founder-owned ophthalmology practice in San Francisco established in 1998 by Dr. Ella Faktorovich. The practice specializes in advanced refractive and corneal surgery, offering a comprehensive portfolio that includes all-laser LASIK, PRK/Epi-LASIK, wavefront-guided and topography-guided (Contoura Vision) custom laser procedures, EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), refractive lens exchange with premium intraocular lenses (multifocal, toric, extended depth-of-focus, light adjustable, and small aperture), cataract surgery, and corneal cross-linking. Diagnostic services include Corneal Biomechanics ORA and widefield OCT imaging. The practice differentiates through evidence-based surgical algorithms and machine-learning-generated surgical nomograms that process wavefront, topography, and OCT inputs into personalized treatment plans.
The practice operates from a single San Francisco headquarters at 1 Daniel Burnham Court, serving patients from across the Bay Area (Peninsula, East Bay, Marin) on a direct-to-consumer basis, with prospective patients scheduling in-person consultations. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time surgical procedures with bundled post-operative care; pricing is not publicly disclosed and is provided on a quote basis after evaluation. PVI supplements its clinical practice with the PVI Research Foundation (established 2004), which conducts research and hosts the annual San Francisco Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery Symposium, and publishes peer-reviewed work, reinforcing both clinical credibility and the optometrist referral channel.
PVI markets primarily through reputation and authority — earned media (New Yorker, USA Today, Forbes Health), broadcast (ABC, CBS, KRON4, KPIX), podcasts, a 322+ Google 5-star review base, and a deliberate positioning as the practice 'chosen by eye doctors for their own LASIK.' Notable individual patients include tech executives (Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, Pinterest CEO Evan Sharp), biotech leadership (Genentech CFO David Ebersman), professional athletes (San Francisco 49ers players Keena Turner, Matt Keneley, Daryl Pollard), and performing artists (San Francisco Ballet's Evelyn Cisneros). The practice is led by Dr. Faktorovich (Founder/Director) alongside Dr. Parra and Dr. Seibel.
Pacific Vision Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pacific Vision Institute
- Legal name
- Pacific Vision Institute
- Website
- https://pacificvision.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pacific Vision Institute is a San Francisco-based, founder-owned refractive surgery practice offering LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, premium lens replacement, and cataract surgery using AI-enhanced surgical nomograms, serving individual consumers across the Bay Area with a reputation-driven, direct-to-consumer model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pacific Vision Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Refractive Surgery / Ophthalmology Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320)
- SIC
- Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refractive Surgery Systems (Excimer/Femtosecond Lasers, Phakic IOL Systems, Wavefront/Guidance) (HLAHAJAG), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Retinal Imaging & OCT Systems (OCT/OCTA, Fundus Cameras, Fluorescein/ICG Angiography) (HLAHAJAB)
Keywords
Where Pacific Vision Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pacific Vision Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Surgical Vision Correction Procedures: One-time surgical procedures for vision correction including LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, refractive lens exchange, and cataract surgery. Each procedure generates one-time revenue with post-operative care included.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Pacific Vision Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pacific Vision Institute provides advanced vision correction surgery in San Francisco, including LASIK (All-Laser, Wavefront-Guided, Topography-Guided Contoura, and Wavefront-Optimized), PRK/Epi-LASIK, EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), Refractive Lens Exchange with premium lens implants, cataract surgery, and corneal treatments (Cross-Linking, Intacs, PTK). The practice complements surgery with advanced diagnostics such as Corneal Biomechanics ORA and Widefield OCT imaging. Services are delivered to individual patients on a direct, consultation-based model.
Product overview
Pacific Vision Institute offers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced vision correction procedures centered around laser eye surgery (LASIK and PRK) and lens-based procedures. The core offering includes multiple LASIK variants: All-Laser LASIK, PRK/Epi-LASIK, Wavefront-Guided LASIK, Topography-Guided Contoura Vision LASIK, and Wavefront-Optimized LASIK. These are complemented by lens-based procedures including EVO ICL, Refractive Lens Exchange with various premium lens options (Light Adjustable Lenses, Extended Range Lenses, Multifocal Lenses, Toric Lenses, Small Aperture Lenses), and cataract surgery. Advanced diagnostic services include Corneal Biomechanics ORA Diagnostics and Widefield OCT Diagnostics. Additional treatments include Corneal Cross-Linking, Intacs, and PTK for corneal conditions. The practice emphasizes evidence-based algorithms, AI-enhanced treatment planning, and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- All-Laser LASIK Blade-free laser vision correction using femtosecond laser technology to create the corneal flap, combined with an excimer laser for precise refractive correction, for adult patients seeking to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts.
- PRK / Epi-LASIK Advanced surface ablation procedures using the same precision excimer laser technology as LASIK, for patients who are not candidates for LASIK and need corneal tissue preservation.
- Advanced Wavefront-Guided LASIK and PRK Custom wavefront-guided laser treatment that maps unique imperfections in each patient's optical system and uses the resulting digital profile to guide a personalized laser correction.
- Advanced Topography-Guided Contoura Vision LASIK and PRK Topography-guided laser vision correction using detailed corneal mapping to address corneal irregularities beyond traditional refractive error treatment.
- Advanced Wavefront-Optimized LASIK and PRK Wavefront-optimized treatment that preserves the cornea's natural asphericity while correcting refractive errors for improved quality of vision.
- Procedures for Highly Aberrated Corneas Specialized surgical treatments for patients with complex corneal conditions or high-order aberrations that cannot be addressed with standard LASIK or PRK.
- EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Implantable contact lens procedure that corrects vision without removing corneal tissue, suitable for patients with high prescriptions or thin corneas who are not LASIK candidates.
- Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) / Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Vision correction procedure that replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens implant to correct refractive errors and reduce dependency on reading glasses, often used for presbyopia and aging eyes.
- Cataract Surgery with Premium Lens Implants Surgical removal of cataracts with premium intraocular lens implant options (Light Adjustable, Extended Range, Multifocal, Toric, Small Aperture lenses) to restore clear vision.
- Corneal Cross-Linking Treatment for keratoconus and corneal ectasia using riboflavin and UV light to strengthen corneal tissue and halt disease progression.
- Intacs (Intracorneal Ring Segments) Intracorneal ring segments implanted to reshape the cornea and improve vision in patients with keratoconus.
- PTK (Phototherapeutic Keratectomy) Laser treatment for corneal surface irregularities, dystrophies, and certain scarring conditions to restore corneal clarity.
Quantifiable outcome
- Many patients achieve 20/10 vision or better, exceeding normal 20/20 vision
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Pacific Vision Institute
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Pacific Vision Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
Pacific Vision Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pacific Vision Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LasikPlus: National LASIK chain with locations including the San Francisco Bay Area offering LASIK and PRK. Direct competitor in refractive surgery with a scaled, multi-location model versus PVI's single premium site.
- TLC Laser Eye Centers: One of the largest North American LASIK networks, performing LASIK, PRK, and ICL. Competes head-to-head with PVI in the Bay Area on laser vision correction procedures.
- NVISION Eye Centers: Multi-location refractive and cataract surgery provider in California with Bay Area locations. Offers overlapping LASIK, ICL, RLE, and premium cataract procedures to a similar patient base.
- LASIK MD: Large refractive surgery network operating primarily in Canada and select US markets. Direct comparable on core LASIK/PRK offering though geographically weighted toward Canada.
- Assil Eye Institute: Premium independent ophthalmology practice in Beverly Hills/LA offering LASIK, cataract surgery, and premium IOLs. Comparable single-location, surgeon-led, premium-positioning model.
- Dougherty Laser Vision: Southern California refractive surgery practice offering LASIK, PRK, ICL, and premium cataract surgery. Comparable founder-led, premium-positioning model with overlapping technology stack.
Broad incumbents
- Stanford Byers Eye Institute: Academic ophthalmology center in Palo Alto offering refractive surgery as part of a broader ophthalmology portfolio. Competes for premium SF Bay patients seeking top-tier surgical care, though not exclusively refractive-focused.
- UCSF Ophthalmology: Academic ophthalmology department offering comprehensive eye care including refractive surgery in San Francisco. Overlapping patient base with PVI for higher-acuity cases and premium procedures.
Regional players
- Kraff Eye Institute: Chicago-based independent refractive surgery practice with strong surgeon brand and premium positioning. Comparable model (single-site, surgeon-led premium LASIK/PRK/ICL) but operating in a different regional market.
Others
- Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology (Boston Children's): Included for completeness as a comparable large academic ophthalmology brand; in practice the more relevant adjacent peer is the broader independent premium refractive segment served by IQ Laser Vision and similar single-location practices on the West Coast.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pacific Vision Institute social profiles
Digital presencePacific Vision Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pacific Vision Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Pacific Vision Institute subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Pacific Vision Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pacific Vision Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pacific Vision Institute
What does Pacific Vision Institute do?
Pacific Vision Institute provides advanced vision correction surgery in San Francisco, including LASIK (All-Laser, Wavefront-Guided, Topography-Guided Contoura, and Wavefront-Optimized), PRK/Epi-LASIK, EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), Refractive Lens Exchange with premium lens implants, cataract surgery, and corneal treatments (Cross-Linking, Intacs, PTK). The practice complements surgery with advanced diagnostics such as Corneal Biomechanics ORA and Widefield OCT imaging. Services are delivered to individual patients on a direct, consultation-based model.
Is Pacific Vision Institute a public or private company?
Pacific Vision Institute is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Pacific Vision Institute founded?
Pacific Vision Institute was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pacific Vision Institute based?
Pacific Vision Institute is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pacific Vision Institute make money?
One revenue line is on record: surgical Vision Correction Procedures.
Who are Pacific Vision Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LasikPlus, TLC Laser Eye Centers, NVISION Eye Centers, LASIK MD, Assil Eye Institute and Dougherty Laser Vision. Broad incumbents are Stanford Byers Eye Institute and UCSF Ophthalmology. Kraff Eye Institute is listed as a regional player. Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology (Boston Children's) is listed as an others.
Does Pacific Vision Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pacific Vision Institute.
What industry is Pacific Vision Institute in?
Pacific Vision Institute's product category is Refractive Surgery / Ophthalmology Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAF, Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK), with a secondary code of HLAHAJAG, Refractive Surgery Systems (Excimer/Femtosecond Lasers, Phakic IOL Systems, Wavefront/Guidance). Its NAICS code is 62132 and its SIC code is 8011.