Choosing A Lasik Doctor
Choosing A Surgeon
Making the decision to have LASIK surgery is a very personal decision. It is important that you find a surgeon who you can trust to treat your eyes as if they were their own. Do not let anyone force you into having the surgery until you are sure the doctor is right for you. Remember, no one needs emergency Laser Vision Correction, so take your time until you feel comfortable with your doctor and the information that you've received. You should be able to meet your surgeon before your procedure and ask him or her any questions you have. Ultimately it is up to you to determine which practice offers the style of care that suits your needs.
Experience Is Key
Several studies have shown that there is a learning curve associated with the LASIK procedure. The rate at which an individual surgeon progresses through the learning curve differs as there are many variables which must be taken into account. The number of procedures performed and length of time practicing the procedure are two important criteria.
Recent studies have also demonstrated that LASIK is a difficult procedure in which complications decrease with increased experience up to 1,000 cases. For this reason, we only work with surgeons who have performed over 10,000 procedures. Make sure you know how many procedures your doctor has performed.
Do Not Base Your Decision Solely On Price
Be cautious about faulty LASIK advertising and deals that sound "too good to be true" because they generally are. Remember that the LASIK surgeon you choose should be based on his experience and your comfort level with his or her skills. These are your only set of eyes and choosing a doctor solely based on price could affect your site for the rest of your life.
Using The Right Laser
Make sure that your surgeon uses a FDA approved laser (or a laser with FDA exemption) for the LASIK procedure. It is important to understand that the procedure of LASIK does not have to be FDA-approved but the laser used for any Laser Vision Correction procedure should be. Therefore, you should always make sure the doctor is using a FDA approved laser.
No Guarantees
You should never choose a surgeon who claims to be able to guarantee any sort of surgical result or freedom from any potential problems. While most patients are delighted with their procedures, no one can honestly guarantee results.
Questions To Ask Your LASIK Surgeon
In order to understand whether LASIK is right for you, be prepared to ask the following questions of your doctor:
- What type of testing will you do in order to determine whether I'm a candidate for LASIK?
- Has my glasses or contact lens prescription been consistent for at least two years?
- Do I have cataracts, glaucoma or other corneal diseases?
- Are my corneas scarred?
- Do I have any diseases that would affect the outcome of the surgery or my ability to heal properly?
- Are there any other reasons why I may not be a candidate for LASIK surgery?
- Am I at risk for complications?
- What can I expect during the procedure?
- What outcome can I expect from the surgery?
To schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, call us at (800) 505-3627 or click here .