LASIK Surgery and You: How to Select a LASIK Surgeon
Anyone who has had to wear glasses or contacts for a long time can’t help but be interested in LASIK. Consequently, in cities like Atlanta LASIK surgery and related procedures are on the rise. But are there any prerequisites for LASIK surgery? And, what about choosing a LASIK surgeon-what qualifications should one look for? As LASIK is an important decision, carefully consider the following.
What Makes a Someone a Potential LASIK Patient?
According to the Duke University Center for Vision Correction (Winston-Salem, NC), an ideal LASIK candidate should:
- Be at least 18 years old; however, sometimes one will need to be over 21 due to the nature of the procedure. (Age requirement is set by the FDA)
- Have a stable refractive prescription
- There are no significant eye diseases
- One does not have any systematic conditions like lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, or severe rheumatoid arthritis.
- In addition, LASIK is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
When it has been determined that one is a candidate for LASIK, it is necessary to select a qualified surgeon. This can be done by talking to friends, family and coworkers as well as getting the eye doctor’s recommendation. Once one has narrowed down a list of surgeons, there are some additional questions that should be asked of each prospect.
10 Questions to Ask a Prospective LASIK Surgeon
- How many LASIK procedures have been successfully completed? A minimum of 1,000 is the FDA recommendation.
- Is the laser FDA approved and how often is it recalibrated? The laser should be FDA approved and made in America. Also, the laser should be recalibrated after every 4th use (if not before).
- What percentages of their patients have 20/20 or 20/40 vision after LASIK? These numbers should be high, with 20/40 being the higher percentage.
- How often is the microkeratome incisor changed? These should be changed after every procedure.
- Is there any advanced technology or state of the art equipment used that makes this office unique? Wavefront guided technology is highly valued.
- Has the surgeon ever been involved in a malpractice suit? 1-2 is acceptable-depending on the circumstances, but if there is more than that, one should look elsewhere.
- Has the surgeon ever lost their license? If so, move on.
- How long has the surgeon been doing LASIK surgery? One should find a surgeon who has been performing LASIK for a minimum of 3 years.
- Is the surgeon a member of at least one national organization and one local/state group of LASIK surgeons? A surgeon who is a part of a group is going to be more aware of new techniques, procedures and concerns than one who does not interact with others LASIK surgeons.
- Discus payment arrangements in advance.
LASIK surgery is a fantastic way to “see into the future”. Nevertheless, it is not a something to take lightly. Doing some research and taking one’s time is a great way to ensure that LASIK will provide all that one is looking for.
Help answer the question about lasik surgeon
As for LASIK, what should I especially consider when selecting my LASIK surgeon?
I’m aware of looking for experience in LASIK locations but what else is a helpful sign of a good LASIK doctor? Is it the number of offices; the price; the number of doctors; etc.
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MAN! i need some of this,lol
, my vision is blurry within 5ft and im only 15!
4 years of college, then med school, be a resident, intern and do a fellowship. You have to be an Ophthalmologist a "MD" to do LASIK.
Talk to your regular eye doctor to refer a skilled physician in your area. Ask around if you know people who have had the procedure done.
The costs are typically around $2000 per eye.
Top 5 ways to tell if someone is NOT a good "Lasik" surgeon :
#5 Online degree
#4 "Laser" turns out to be old prop from a James Bond movie
#3 Claims to give eyesight – "so good, you can see the future!"
#2 All former patients have become NFL referees
And finally the #1 way to tell if someone is NOT a good "Lasik" surgeon : Wears glasses!!
Never assume that a doctor is good based on the number of offices he has, what he charges, the advertising he does, etc. The best way to find a good lasik surgeon is to do your homework and to know exactly what to look for and what to ask. These sites should be of great help to you:
http://www.lasersurgeryforeyes.com/questions_you_should_ask.htm
http://www.the-lasik-directory.com/choose_doctor.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-on-Choosing-a-Good-LASIK-Surgeon&id=305337
http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/surgeons.htm
http://www.docshop.com/education/vision/refractive/lasik/choose-surgeon/
Also, do not be afraid to ask the doctor for references from those on who he has performed the procedure. Also, you would be amazed how many people had the surgery done so ask around! Someone you know will know someone who had it done and can talk to you about it and who performed it.
I am not familiar with NC, as I live in CA. But, I had Lasik over a year ago.
My advice would be to talk to everyone….talk to your family, friends and co-workers. Then ask your family, friends and co-workers to talk to their family, friends and co-workers….you get the idea. I found my surgeon by word of mouth. I asked everyone I know if they had Lasiks (or knew anyone who had Lasiks), and what doctor they went to. Almost everyone I talked to in my area went to the surgeon I ended up going to, and everyone was perfectly satisfied. I went into the procedure very confident! Good luck to you!
Depending where you live a good surgeon costs about $3,000 and up depending on what your prescription is. I would ask how long they have been doing Laisk and how many procedures they have done, and how many they do weekly or monthly. Moist insurances do not cover lasik, they might pay a couple hundred dollars. The best way to find out if a surgeon is good at lasik is by word of mouth. A nationwide clinic like TLC is a good bet. I know they hire well qualified surgeons and do tons of lasik weekly.
What is a "reasonable price" when the risk is your sight? 17 lawsuits is a lot, even by high-volume refractive surgery standards. Are you willing to take this kind of risk to save a few dollars?
These are your eyes, don't cheap out on your vision. It's one thing if you buy a cheap LCD TV and the pixels go bad – you can take it back and exchange it for a new one. But if you have a bad outcome with eye surgery you're stuck with that for life.
Probably the most important decision someone who is considering LASIK must make is what surgeon to choose. Although I do not perform LASIK, I have created a document for my cataract patients to help them in choosing a surgeon. The article can be viewed by clicking this link:
http://sgveye.com/en/resources/35-about-your-eyes/233-10-things-you-must-know-before-choosing-your-cataract-surgeon
The advice in this document can be applied to choosing any surgeon in any specialty, not just cataract surgeons.
Sincerely,
David D. Richardson, M.D.
Medical Director
San Gabriel Valley Eye Associates, Inc.
"LA and So Cal’s Trusted Source of Eyecare"
207 S. Santa Anita Street, Suite P-25
San Gabriel, CA 91776
626.289.7856
Hi James – I am a representative from LasikPlus, hoping to provide you information about your LASIK options in the Raleigh area. We have one center in Raleigh, NC at 4035 Lake Boone Trail. The doctor in that center is Dr. Patricia Smith, MD. She is a board certified Ophthalmologist.
We offer a free, no obligation consultation so that you may come in, meet the staff and understand if Laser Vision Correction could be right for you. You may visit the website to schedule an appointment, http://tinyurl.com/LasikPlus or feel free to call 1 (866) 953-0282
I hope this information was helpful!
come to Syria they will make it for you 1200 $ using the best technology