Steps to Find a LASIK Surgeon

There are a lot of ways to find a good eye surgeon. But the true test of a good eye doctor is actually seen on how he or she responds when something goes wrong.

1. Just Observe

So, before undergoing a vision correction procedure like LASIK, try to go out of your way to find a patient who had problems following surgery. If you find out that those problems ultimately were resolved and that the patient retains a favorable feeling toward the surgeon, then you know that you’ve probably found the “one” – someone who considers the patient first. However, if you find out that the patients feels abandoned, then why wait for that doctor to examine you? Scratch that doctor off your list.

2. Use the Internet

Now, if you truly want the best of the best, then be willing to invest more bucks for quality. Then put extra effort into a search for just the right LASIK surgeon. You might use the Internet to find out if your doctor is a recognized authority in the field or if he or she is quoted in some medical journals. You can even locate some eye clinics that are associated with the very best eye care and research. If in the end you find that your doctor is affiliated with one of these clinics, then you’ll likely be in good hands.

3. Consider the Advertisements, but Be Careful

These days, several refractive surgery centers are advertising in newspapers, on the television or on the radio. Well, you might find that some ads are more informative than others, while some tout extremely good pricing. However, while they can be a starting point, a particular advertisement or a procedure price should not be your only criterion in choosing the right LASIK surgeon.

I guess you’ve already heard experts advising you not to assume too much from advertising. Many eye surgeons even recommend this to most of their patients. This is perhaps for the fact that many advertisements are misleading. A lot of companies out there oftentimes make LASIK sound like it is a flap-and-zap commodity. But the truth is, it is surgery. Therefore, it is very important that you watch out for misleading advertising claims. If for instance, someone says he’s been using a laser for 15 years, then don’t accept that claim. Probably, he’s talking about another type of laser or eye correction procedure as LASIK eye surgery hasn’t been around that long. The LASIK was actually first introduced just in 1998.

4. Ask for a Referral

This is just but another tip for you to find the right surgeon. Simply ask for a referral from you regular eye care practitioner, whether an ophthalmologist or optometrist. If possible, tell him or her that you want the LASIK surgeon in your areas with the best reputation in the profession. He or she might help you to find the best surgeon.

5. Observe How the Doctor Responds to Your Needs

While you’re in front of an eye surgeon, simply observe if the doctor really listen to you and see you as a person rather than a statistic, or if the doctor seems hurried and distracted. There is a possibility that you can expect the same response of something goes wrong and you are in dire need of reassurance. Also find out if the doctor is honest and forthright about explaining what could go wrong with your situation.

Consider the Environment

Does the office or clinic strike you as cold and impersonal? Do you obtain that common impression that you are part of a cattle herd standing in line for mass produced vision surgeries like a scene straight from a horror movie? Do you find that while standing in your position you have the urge to moo? If so, then get out or run.

6. Look for Surgeons Associated with a Reputable Organization

If possible, visit professional organizations that carry contact information for members on the web to find the right LASIK surgeon in your area. Professional organizations may include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Opticians Association of America, and the American Optometric Association.

Aside from that, ask a particular surgeon if he or she is associated with an academic medical center, like the teaching hospital or one that is well-known for advanced technology. As often said, those who work in or are at least associated with academic medical centers are more likely to keep up with current information. These doctors are more likely to have more constant exposure to new things as well as to issues related to new procedures.

And, if you are really interested in an advanced medical therapy that may be brand new, ask if the eye specialist participated in the scientific investigation or clinical trial leading up to approval. This just means that the doctor probably has more experience with the therapy.

Ask a Refractive Surgeon

If you are visiting with an eye doctor about possibly undergoing a LASIK vision correction procedure, please do not be afraid to ask tough questions. Ask the eye doctor what kind of follow up you will need, especially if you can expect something goes wrong. Also, ask him or her if complicated case receive the highest priority in allocation of time, above new cases that would be more profitable.

Ask Yourself

Simply know is you are really confident that you were fully examined and questioned to make sure that you actually are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.

7. Other Resources

Call some refractive surgery centers in your area. They can be located in Yellow Pages. Also, most of them have websites that explain their specialties as well as doctor credentialing. Some sites even allow you to search for a particular surgeon on their sites.