Tough Questions to Ask your Lasik Surgeon
Laser eye surgery might be your answer to a world without glasses or contacts. But as with all surgical procedures, Lasik carries some risk. You want to be confident in your doctor and comfortable with the procedure. Learn some tough questions to ask your Lasik surgeon to ensure that laser eye surgery is the best decision for you.
Ask for Your Lasik Surgeon’s Qualifications
Much of your success with laser eye surgery relies on having a good Lasik surgeon. A well-practiced surgeon has been performing laser eye surgery for at least three years. Find out which refractive procedures are most commonly carried out, and the frequency with which they are performed. A qualified professional should have completed at least 500 refractive procedures in recent years.
Ask Your Lasik Surgeon About the Success Rate
Find out how many Lasik patients have achieved at least 20/40 vision, as well as, a success percentage for 20/20 vision or better. According to the Quality Standards Advisory Committee (QSAC) the national average success rate for 20/40 vision is 90 percent, 65 percent for 20/20. If your Lasik surgeon states percentages well-exceeding the national norm, ask for a follow up with evidence. Keep in mind, these percentages represent an average success rate and are not the answer to your individual success with Lasik surgery.
You will also want to find out the percentage of patients that have had complications six months after Lasik surgery; the national norm is three percent. Again, if the doctor claims a spotless record, ask for evidence.
Ask About the Number of Patients Your Lasik Surgeon has Denied
Because a number of people simply cannot qualify for laser eye surgery due to age and health conditions, among other considerations, you are looking for evidence of rejection. You want to be sure that your Lasik surgeon follows standard practice for selecting patients. The amount may vary for each doctor, but should be greater than zero.
Ask About Lasik Equipment
Look for a surgeon whose equipment is approved by the FDA. Check the doctor’s answers by learning about typical equipment uses and verify that your procedure is appropriate for that equipment. Equipment use may not directly correlate with FDA standards, but the equipment itself needs to be approved.
Ask if Lasik is Right for You
Your doctor can provide a professional opinion about your candidacy for refractive eye surgery after a proper consultation and medical eye exam. Among many considerations, the surgeon will need to verify that you are at least 18, have a healthy medical history and have not experienced fluctuations in your vision for the past 12 months. DocShop.com can provide some insight into how your doctor evaluates laser eye surgery candidacy.
Ask Questions About Risks and Complications
Your doctor will explain that all surgical procedures involve a certain level of risk. Results are not guaranteed and may not last. Ask the Lasik surgeon to identify complications you may be at risk for based on your medical history and the condition of your eyes. Some patients experience double vision, glares and halos, among other possible complications. Lasik surgery can also cause dry eyes and inflammation. If complications do not subside within six months, it may be necessary to have an additional, corrective procedure.
What is Lasik Surgery and Recovery Like?
Laser eye surgery is an outpatient procedure. Your Lasik surgeon will provide you with details about the procedure, the recovery process, as well as, a list of post-operative directions. Most patients report minimal discomfort, which usually subsides hours following the procedure. Your vision may improve up to 90 percent the day following the surgery. But expect to experience periodic fluctuations in vision and sensitivity to light.
Your Lasik surgeon will outline ways to care for your eyes following the procedure. Highlights on the list include the need for protective eye wear, prescription eye drops and rest. While healing depends on the person, most patients find that they can return to work the day following the procedure.
Ask Your Lasik Surgeon About Financing Options
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Video of my successful Lasik eye surgery. I was 26 when I did this. No pain, no halo, no complications. I now have 20/20 vision.
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I want to become a lasik eye surgeon. What do I do and where do I go?
I am a sophomore in high school and I am pretty sure this is what I want to do. How can I get a degree in ophthalmology and become strictly a lasik surgeon? Are there any very good schools in the state of GA or fairly close? Any help would be much appreciated.
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Be sure to ask your doctor about the many Lasik financing options. You may be able to enter into a payment plan directly with the doctor. Many options offer qualified laser eye surgery patients a zero interest, or low-interest monthly payment plan for Lasik surgery patients.
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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.
OMG!!!! I’ve been offered laser eye treatment on the NHS as it would greatly improve my vision but I can’t bring myself to have it done. I mean the eye clamps alone made me feel like I wanted to puke. Then seeing them slice a little flap like that. OMG!! No way. I can’t do it. I would totally freak the fuck out.
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.
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
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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.