LASIK eye surgery is one of the most remarkable innovations of the 20th century, eliminating the need for glasses or contacts and restoring near-perfect vision for tens of millions of patients. That said, it is still a surgical procedure, and your future vision depends on your selection of the most qualified, competent, and experienced LASIK surgeon in your region.
5 Things To Ask Or Consider When Choosing A LASIK Surgeon
We recently posted an article about what makes a good LASIK surgery candidate, but even more important are the qualities that define the best LASIK surgeons. The surgeon’s credentials and current licensure – all verifiable online – are the foundational place to start.
Your LASIK surgeon should be a board-certified ophthalmologist. Click Here to learn more about how to verify that. Once that has been verified, look a little deeper to ensure your eyes get the very best diagnosis, LASIK surgery, and long-term follow-up care they deserve.
How many LASIK procedures s/he has performed, and how many does s/he perform each week?
While we respect that all of us had to get our start somewhere, it’s also true that the surgeons’ experience and track record should speak for themselves. Ideally, your LASIK surgeon will have completed at least 10,000 procedures. Also, s/he should be performing them on a regular basis, which is a sign that his/her skills are “in shape.”
That said, one of the best questions you can ask is, “Do you ever turn down a patient’s request for LASIK surgery?” Hopefully, the answer is, “Yes, I have…” The reality is that not every patient is a good LASIK surgery candidate. Exclusions include things such as certain immune system disorders, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis.
If the surgeon says s/he’s never turned down a patient, it might mean that the dollar signs mean more than the patient’s overall wellbeing and long-term success, and that’s not the surgeon for you. The right ophthalmologist for you always prioritizes the health and safety of the patient above all else.
S/he has successfully treated many people with your exact vision diagnosis.
LASIK surgeries can correct a range of vision problems, including near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism, and more. Your ophthalmologist should have experience using LASIK surgery to successfully treat patients with your exact same type and grade of vision impairment. Knowing that the surgeon has performed hundreds or even thousands of successful LASIK procedures on patients with identical vision problems will put your mind at ease.
When choosing a LASIK surgeon don’t base your decision on price.
Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. When choosing a LASIK surgeon some offer bottom-dollar pricing but you don’t want to sacrifice the quality of the procedure and post-op care for a discount. Similarly, some surgeons offer what seems to be a discount, but instead give you a bait-and-switch experience.
Read Discount LASIK: Should You or Shouldn’t You, to educate yourself beforehand.
What feeling(s) were you left with after your consultations?
Absolutely you should schedule LASIK surgery consultations with at least two or three qualified surgeons in your area. In addition to giving you more opportunities to learn about the procedure and what you can expect, you also have a chance to get a feel for their office, staff, and the surgeon.
While you’re there, take the time to be present and evaluate:
- Is the staff friendly?
- Was your consultation with the surgeon informative and educational? Or, did it feel more like a sales pitch?
- Did you feel comfortable asking questions? Were they answered in a way you could understand?
- Were the waiting rooms and offices modern, clean, and welcoming?
- Did you feel safe, seen, listened to, and cared for?
Always honor your gut feeling. If the office offers “all of the latest and greatest” in LASIK technology, but you don’t feel comfortable there, or the surgeon seems ingenuine, keep looking. Only trust your eye care and vision to ophthalmologists who gain your 100% trust.
Do they offer the laser procedure that is best for you?
There isn’t a one size fits all procedure for correcting vision. The variety of options include LASIK, PRK, implantable contact lenses, and refractive lens exchange. Your surgeon should be transparent about which procedure is best to accomplish your desired vision correction and whether or not s/he can perform the surgery.
Is LASIK Right For You?
Are you interested in learning more about LASIK and whether it is the right corrective treatment option for you? The team of caring surgeons and staff at Atlantic Eye Institute would love to be in your sights as you consider which LASIK surgeon should perform your procedure. Contact us online to schedule a consultation, or give us a call at (904) 241-7865 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.