|
Finding
the Right LASIK Surgeon 7 Steps
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...
What to ask your Lasik
Surgeon |
