Choosing Your Surgeon

When choosing a surgeon to perform your laser eye surgery there are many factors that you will want to take into consideration:

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Experience
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Comprehensive Skills
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A Dedication to Refractive Surgery
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State of the Art Equipment
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Personality, Style, and an Expert Staff


EXPERIENCE

The surgeon you choose should have been performing refractive surgeries for at least three years and performed no fewer then 250 refractive vision correction procedures in the last 12 months. Be sure to speak with recent and past patients that have had the surgery performed by your surgeon. Your surgeon should easily give you a list of 25 or more patients to contact.

SKILLS

Make sure your surgeon is qualified to perform your laser eye surgery. Ask him/her which techniques he/she has been trained in. Your surgeon should have the skills to perform more then one type of refractive surgery. Be wary of surgeons that only offer one or two of the available techniques to correct vision problems. Your surgeon needs to be able to offer you the best surgery available for your condition. Additionally, your surgeon needs to have the skills to perform any enhancements to your eyes that may be required after your initial refractive surgery.

DEDICATION

Is your surgeon dedicated to performing laser eye surgeries? Choosing a surgeon that only performs a couple of procedures a week may not have the experience or skills to perform the surgery required for your vision problems. Additionally, you should ask your surgeon which refractive surgery associations and organizations in which he or she belongs. The manufacturers of the laser surgery equipment also provide documentation to the surgeon for any training provided to him/her.

PERSONALITY

Does your surgeon make you feel comfortable? Are you able to ask your surgeon questions and have them answered in a manner that you understand? The answers to both of these questions should be yes. Your vision is invaluable and you must feel at ease with your surgeon on a personal level. Your surgeon should readily be open to questions and answer them to your satisfaction in an honest and caring manner.

EQUIPMENT

Finally, you want to insure that your surgeon's office is equipped with the latest equipment and manned by an experienced staff. Be sure to verify that your surgeon is using a laser that has been approved by the FDA. Some surgeons have been known to use lasers that have been re-imported, custom-made, or home-made. Furthermore, ask your surgeon if the FDA approved laser he/she is using has been properly serviced and maintained.

STAFF

Take the time to interact with your surgeon's office staff before your procedure. A staff that is dedicated to refractive surgery should be able to take care of your needs and insure that your experience is a rewarding one. There are three different types of eye care professionals usually involved in a person's eye care