Choosing a LASIK Surgeon “Near Me”
It is not surprising to learn that, with time and a clear re-setting or priorities over the last year, people are searching out information on the items and activities they want to buy and do, including looking for a “LASIK Surgeon Near Me”. Based upon the recent surge in procedures, LASIK has jumped to the top of many’s bucket list. Not surprisingly, finding a LASIK surgeon to work with is, therefore, one of the key topics searched by people thinking about moving on from glasses or contact lenses.
The fact is, unlike your friends or family who may have just had LASIK, Google can only tell you so much. And if you are seriously considering a laser vision correction procedure such as LASIK, choosing a LASIK surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your journey. There are qualifications you should look for in a LASIK surgeon that you may not find on the internet. After you search “LASIK surgeon near me,” you should take the next step and make an appointment for a consultation to get to know the practice and learn if you are a good candidate for laser vision correction.
When you connect with a LASIK surgeon “near me”, you may be given the option of a virtual consult. This is designed with your safety in mind and to support social distancing practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Practices are open and have new protocols in place for scheduling, disinfecting, staffing, and patient interaction to help keep everyone healthy while caring for your eyes and vision. You should feel free to ask questions about these extra health and safety measures and what virtual services might be available to you as you consider your vision correction options.
Whether in the office, by phone, or virtual visit, you will want to make the best use of your time in a LASIK consultation. To help you get started, here are a few questions you should ask a LASIK surgeon to better understand his or her qualifications and know if she or he is the right surgeon for you:
Q: How many LASIK procedures have you done?
Tip: More is better. You want a surgeon with lots of experience in the procedure being recommended for your vision correction. It isn’t unusual for a surgeon to have performed thousands of procedures.
Q: Do you recommend LASIK for everyone? Is everyone a good candidate?
Tip: The answer should be no. LASIK isn’t right for everyone and a highly qualified surgeon carefully screens patients to ensure they are good candidates. On average, LASIK surgeons identify 15-25 percent of patients as ineligible for LASIK. There are other laser vision correction procedures that might be a better option for a given patient, but some patients simply aren’t good candidates.
Q: Do you guarantee that I will never need glasses and have better-than-perfect vision if I choose you to perform my procedure?
Tip: Nothing in life is perfect and a qualified surgeon won’t overpromise results. There are limits to what any procedure can provide, even one with a fantastic reputation for safety and results like LASIK. Plus, and this is important, almost everyone needs reading glasses when they get older – it is a fact of aging. Your LASIK surgeon should be direct and honest with you.
Q: Can I speak with some of your patients?
Tip: A LASIK practice should be eager to share their success stories with you. Talking with someone with personal experience with your LASIK surgeon can be helpful in making a confident decision about your vision correction.
Q: Can I ask you a few more questions?
Tip: One of the top priorities for a LASIK consultation is to help you get the information you need to make an educated choice, both to have the procedure performed and to choose the surgeon to perform it. Consequently, a LASIK surgeon should welcome your questions and review the risks and benefits of laser vision correction for you and your vision.
The choice of a LASIK surgeon is an important one, so take the time to go beyond “LASIK surgeon near me.” Learn about your surgeon and make sure you are comfortable with his or her qualifications and approach to you and your vision correction needs. For some, this means going the extra mile. Booking more than one LASIK consult may be necessary to find the LASIK surgeon that is right for you.
For this Navy SEAL hopeful, finding the right surgeon to correct his vision in preparation for the rigorous training and physical demands required to become a candidate for the elite military force. Knowing the practice had adopted many protective measures for a safe and healthy visit gave him the confidence to move forward with a procedure that would help him pursue his dream.
