-- Finding the Right Doctor --
Once you have decided to seriously explore lasik eye surgery, you are ready to search for a doctor. It will be important to you to have a doctor that is knowledgeable and proficient. You will also want to make sure the doctor is right for you personally.
Don′t be fooled by outrageous advertising. Evaluate the claims given by the clinic. Do they claim to be able to give anyone 20/20 vision? If so, they are misleading you. If they give a date they started doing lasik, check to see if it was even being done at that time.
The first thing you will find out once you visit a doctor about lasik eye surgery is how informative he/she is. You′ll likely go in with a list of questions to ask the doctor. Make sure the surgeon freely answers all your questions.
You can learn much by asking how many times the surgeon has performed lasik eye surgery. Find out how many of those have been done on the laser that will be used for you. This will give you an idea as to how experienced your surgeon is.
Ask about the laser used. Has the FDA approved it for your procedure? Then, there is the microkeratome blade. This is the blade that is used to cut the thin flap of the cornea. Don′t be afraid to ask how many times they each are used. If the doctor says more than once, go on to another doctor.
Find out how diligent the doctor will be with preoperative and postoperative procedures. Make sure there is follow-up care done in the long run. It′s important that the doctor be concerned with your long term eye health, and not just how many lasik procedures he can do.
Ask what clinic the doctor is affiliated with. If the doctor is part of a group like a medical teaching center it can be an advantage. An even greater advantage is if the doctor is associated with a hospital that employs advanced technology. Either way, their methods should be up to date.
Ask for the credentials of your doctor. Find out about any associations the doctor takes part in. If the doctor is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, that′s a good sign. These doctors are held up to a high standard.
Above all, find a surgeon you are comfortable with. The surgery and aftercare will go better if you feel at ease with your doctor. Don′t settle for someone who makes you feel anxious or afraid. It′s a big step you′re taking, and your doctor should appreciate that.