How to Find a Good LASIK Eye Surgeon?
If you are considering a vision correction procedure such as LASIK, finding a good LASIK surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make. Since everyone is different, knowing what works best for you in terms of personality and approach is part of it. Getting that gut feeling: “Yes, this is someone I trust, who gives me the confidence to proceed and will help me achieve my vision goals” is extremely valuable.
How to Choose a LASIK Surgeon? Five Essential Qualifications
But what should you look for when choosing a LASIK surgeon? Here are five essential qualifications you should look for when choosing a LASIK surgeon:
- He or she should have a lot of experience with laser vision correction procedures. It is not uncommon for a LASIK surgeon to have 10,000, 25,000, 50,000 or more LASIK eye surgeries under his or her belt.
- But the number of laser vision correction procedures performed isn’t necessarily enough. You want your surgeon to meet industry standards for selecting patients—and for screening out those who aren’t good LASIK candidates for surgery. On average, your surgeon should be screening out 15 – 25 percent of patients seeking LASIK. This is because LASIK is not appropriate for everyone. Certain health issues, thin corneas, and other factors may indicate that the procedure isn’t right for you.
- You should be comfortable with your surgeon. He or she should be eager to answer all of your LASIK questions and help educate you so you can make an informed decision. You should be made fully aware of the risks and benefits in order to make the choice that is right for you.
- You should never feel pressured to have the procedure performed; your LASIK consultation shouldn’t feel like a sales process. The goal is to achieve your best vision, not to get the best deal.
- Be wary of a practice that over-promises. LASIK is a terrific option, but there are limits to what it can achieve. For example, it may not give you perfect vision, just better vision. And since your eyes will continue to change, you might still need reading glasses when you’re older. Your surgeon should be upfront with you about these limitations, including what you should expect for how long does LASIK last, LASIK risks, what to expect with LASIK recovery, and more.
Finding the right LASIK surgeon for your procedure is crucial.
Three Tips for Finding a Good LASIK Surgeon
Here are our three tips for finding a good LASIK surgeon:
- Do your homework. The Internet, your local chamber of commerce, and medical organizations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery are all good resources.
- Get referrals from friends and family who have had the procedure. Talk to them about their experiences. It is also a very good idea to speak with your personal physician and your optometrist to get their input, and perhaps even a referral.
- Once you meet a qualified surgeon, be sure to get additional references from current and past patients who can talk about their experience with the particular surgeon and practice.
You want the best-qualified surgeon to help you achieve your vision correction goals, so put in the effort to find the surgeon that meets your needs.
