Finding a LASIK Surgeon

The growing popularity of LASIK surgery in the United States means that consumers like yourself are given an immense amount of freedom of choice. You can choose between large hospitals and small centers, innovative wavefront technology and traditional microkeratone blades, expensive customization and basic fees. How, among the many options offered, are you to pick the best one for you?

Cost as a Factor

Price is often the most pressing factor in deciding between different LASIK surgeons. The most basic, standard procedures are already pricey enough per eye, but you also need to weigh the possible benefits of adding on optional technologies and techniques that will cost you more. Custom laser eye surgery is one extremely popular option that more and more LASIK surgeons are recommending, and that more and more patients are deciding on. Indeed, some of the recent innovations in the field of laser eye surgery have been proven to increase the precision and the success rate of operations.

However, these new technological advances don’t come free. The price of using new technologies is a fee that the surgeon who uses them will pass on to the patient. Discuss your personal financial situation with your surgeon and decide whether or not the advantages of such add-ons are worth it for you.

Talk It Out

Above all, you should feel absolutely at home asking your potential laser eye surgeon questions about subjects like financing. Your surgeon should be someone who is willing to hold in-depth discussions about your operation and your health. He or she should be honest and direct about the risks involved—because there are always risks—and should never push you towards procedures that you feel unsure of.

Stamp of Experience

One of the most important questions to ask of your surgeon involves his or her prior experience with LASIK surgery. No one wants a novice, so enter the office with the intent to gather information: what types of procedures your surgeon specializes in, how many operations he or she has performed, what the success rate was, how happy previous patients were with their results. Also ask your potential surgeon about any certifications that he or she may hold, and do a check on the legitimacy of these. Only by going through a thorough inspection of your laser eye surgeon’s past experience can you help yourself get the most trustworthy pair of hands.

Satisfaction Guaranteed?

As with any major medical procedure, there are no 100% guarantees. However, the possible complications of a failed LASIK surgery can be dire—difficult night vision, double vision, dry eyes, and infection can all follow. Apart from these less common side effects, there are cases in which LASIK surgery does not completely “fix” a patient’s eyesight and he or she will need enhancement procedures to further correct vision problems. Eyesight could deteriorate after LASIK surgery due to natural aging and growth, or due to the surgeon’s lapses. Ask around about your surgeon’s success rates and what guarantees he or she can make. Walk into your surgery well-informed about what to expect.

A Word of Warning

Lastly, be cautious when finding your laser eye surgeon. Places that offer LASIK surgery at discount rates such as $499 per eye often come with hidden strings attached, or lower their fees by compromising quality. Keep your eyes peeled for suspicious deals, or you vision might suffer.