Allen Fritz, MD in Baltimore: Refractive Surgery and Complex Vision Correction
Allen Fritz, MD operates a solo optometry and refractive surgery practice in Baltimore focused on LASIK, PRK, and lens replacement for patients with high prescriptions or age-related vision loss. His practice sits outside the chain optometry landscape (LensCrafters, Warby Parker, Pearle Vision) that dominates suburban retail and urban storefronts, positioning him as a referral destination for surgical candidates and patients whose refractive errors fall outside standard glasses and contact lens correction.
What Allen Fritz, MD actually is
Fritz is a licensed optometrist with surgical credentials. His practice combines routine refractive exams and eyeglass prescription with in-office LASIK and PRK procedures and pre- and post-operative care for lens implant patients. The practice is independent, not affiliated with a larger medical center or chain. He accepts referrals from other optometrists and ophthalmologists in the Baltimore region and also sees self-referred patients seeking surgical vision correction.
Services and pricing
Routine comprehensive exams (including dilated fundus exam and visual field screening for glaucoma risk) run $150 to $200, reflecting mid-market pricing for independent Baltimore optometrists. Eyeglass prescriptions typically cost $80 to $150 for standard plastic lenses; specialty coatings (anti-reflection, progressive bifocals) add $50 to $100 to the total frame-and-lens cost.
LASIK and PRK pricing is not published on-site; Fritz quotes per-eye costs during consultation, ranging typically $1,500 to $2,500 per eye depending on prescription complexity and whether blade or bladeless (femtosecond laser) technique is used. Financing plans (Care Credit, monthly payment options) are available; confirm current rates directly.
Pre-operative lens implant evaluation (for cataract or refractive lens exchange) is $200; the implant procedure itself is performed at an affiliated surgical facility and billed separately. Patients with Medicare or commercial insurance covering cataract surgery typically pay copay or coinsurance at the facility; refractive lens exchange (elective, non-cataract implantation) is usually out-of-pocket, $3,000 to $4,500 per eye at Baltimore surgical centers.
Contact lens fittings are available; specialty lenses for keratoconus or post-LASIK dry eye run $100 to $250 per fitting session plus lens costs.
How it compares to other Baltimore optometry options
Most Baltimore optometrists (employed by EyeMed, VSP-affiliated practices, or independent offices like Towson Optometry or Canton Eye) perform exams, fit glasses and contacts, and refer surgical patients to ophthalmologists. Allen Fritz integrates surgical evaluation and procedure into one practice, reducing the need to navigate separate referrals. This is efficient for LASIK or PRK candidates but not a substitute for cataract surgery, which legally requires an ophthalmologist and an OR setting.
Baltimore ophthalmologists (including Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland-affiliated practices in surgical centers around Canton and Federal Hill) offer broader surgical scope (retina, glaucoma, cornea) and institutional resources. They suit patients with advanced eye disease. Fritz suits patients with uncomplicated refractive errors who prefer a single-provider relationship and want to avoid large medical center scheduling.
Chain optometry (LensCrafters at The Gallery, Warby Parker in Fells Point) offers faster walk-in or same-week exams and low-cost glasses ($95 to $200 frames-and-lenses bundles) but does not perform refractive surgery or manage complex prescriptions; they refer surgical candidates out.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Fritz suits: patients with high myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism interested in LASIK or PRK; those seeking a personal relationship with the provider managing both pre- and post-op care; self-referred patients without an existing optometrist; and those willing to pay out-of-pocket for elective refractive surgery.
Fritz does not suit: patients needing pediatric care (he does not treat children); those with advanced cataracts (requires OR and ophthalmologist); those requiring corneal cross-linking, retinal surgery, or glaucoma treatment; and patients seeking walk-in urgent eye care (he operates by appointment only).
What the first visit involves
New patients schedule a consultation appointment (typically 60 to 90 minutes). Fritz performs a full refraction, keratometry (corneal curvature mapping), and dilated exam. If LASIK candidacy is the focus, he measures corneal thickness (pachymetry) and discusses lifestyle factors (dry eye history, night driving, sports). For lens implant evaluation, he performs IOL calculations and discusses implant options (monofocal, multifocal, toric).
A printed report summarizing findings, candidacy status, and cost is provided. Surgical patients schedule procedures after approval. Glasses and contact lens patients receive prescriptions and fitting guidance on the same day.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Fritz's office location and hours are subject to change; call ahead to confirm. Baltimore optometry practices typically operate Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with one late evening or Saturday slot, though his schedule may differ. Parking details specific to his office location should be confirmed with staff.
Why this matters in Baltimore
Baltimore has strong ophthalmology infrastructure (Johns Hopkins, UM) but limited in-office LASIK capacity; most refractive surgery is performed at surgical centers under ophthalmology. An independent optometrist offering LASIK reduces the barrier to surgery for patients seeking a streamlined pathway and fills a gap in primary care optometry that handles surgical candidates in a single location.
