In the general scheme of things, PRK and LASIK is not as difficult as many other types of surgery. But a bad procedure results may affect their lives almost as negatively as a malfunction of the heart results. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best surgeon.

Finding a good surgeon LASIK

The ads, academic medical centers and the American College of Surgeons. Many of refractive surgery centers are advertising in newspapers, radio and television. Some ads are more informative than others, and tout some very good price. But while they can be a starting point, an advertisement or a procedure price should not be your sole criterion in choosing a doctor.

Do not assume too much on advertising, says Penny Asbell, MD, professor of Ophthalmology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Center in New York. A refractive surgeon herself, Dr. Asbell recommended to ask the surgeon if he or she is associated with an academic medical center, as a teaching hospital or one that is well known for advanced technology.

“Those who work in or at least are associated with academic medical centers are more likely to continue with current information,” he explains. “They are more likely to have more constant exposure to new things and issues related to the new procedures, whether they relate to one (albeit busy) isolated office with little contact with the academic world.”

“A lot of companies that make it sound like LASIK a flap-and-zap merchandise. But the truth is, it is surgery,” says Dr. Steve Updegraff, a LASIK surgeon and medical director of Updegraff Lasik Vision in Tampa Bay , Fla. The recommended choosing a physician who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. “The accreditation process is quite steep, too, that group is diligent about promoting the field of surgery.”

Beware of misleading advertising claims, Dr. Updegraff adds. “If someone says he has been using a laser 15 years, will not accept it - is we’re probably talking about another type of laser procedure or because LASIK has not been around that time.”

References. Ask for a referral from your doctor regular eye health, either an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Tell him or her that you want the LASIK surgeon in your area with the best reputation in the profession.

Other resources. Visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s website www.aao.org, where you can use the “Find an Eye MD.” Be sure to specify “refractive surgery” in “specialty”.

Call refractive surgery centers in your area, you will find in the yellow pages. Most have websites that explain their medical specialties and credentials. Some even let you look particularly surgeons on their sites.
What ask a refractive surgeon

After finding a surgeon, make an appointment for a consultation. This is an important meeting. To take full advantage of it, write down each and every question you can think of, and ask each during his visit.

The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance has a list of 50 questions on its website. Here are some of them:

* How long has been carrying out procedures for refractive surgery? (Not less than three years.)

* How many total procedures have you done? (No fewer than 500.)

* How many procedures of refraction of the exact type to be used for me, with the same team, and the same refractive error, have you done? (No fewer than 100.)

* What percentage of its refractive surgery patients receive Snellen uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better? (CRSQA says you should be suspicious of any number that is higher than 90 percent, which is the norm.)

* What percentage achieved 20/20 or better? (About 65 percent is the norm; ask for proof of whether a larger number.)

* Can I provide the names and contact details of at least ten patients who had earlier had the same refractive surgery with similar mistake?

* Have you ever had insurance coverage denies malpractice?

* Have you had your license to perform refractive surgery revoked, suspended or restricted?

* Has been convicted of a felony? etc.

As you can see, CRSQA recommends asking tough questions that some might consider difficult or even rude to ask. But remember that your precious vision depends on your surgeon competition. You need to be sure that you have chosen the right person. If you are not satisfied with the answers to your questions, consult another surgeon.

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In addition to the above concerns, must also consider the versatility of the surgeon and competition in a variety of refractive procedures. LASIK is not the only game in town, and is not the best procedure for each person. Choose a surgeon who is comfortable and experienced with various procedures - such as LASIK, PRK, LASEK, CK, and clear objective replacement - and the latest technology. If your doctor is aware of these procedures inside and out, he or she can confidently choose the one that is best for their particular vision of correcting the problems. If you are considering a surgeon who does not perform a procedure you’re interested in, he or she should be able to explain why not, beyond “I did not do it.”
Get a second opinion

After a consultation, never feel you are obliged to use that surgeon. You are completely free to talk with other surgeons as well. And do not feel that you are offending anyone. It has long been an accepted practice to seek a second opinion, and most doctors urge their patients to do so.
The personal touch

“As with any kind of relationship you have with someone in the medical profession, has to be one of confidence,” says Dr. Asbell. “You have to feel confident that you and the person who is personally interested in you.”

She adds: “If you can not develop that relationship, I would be interested. If all goes well, you probably will not have to see that person too often, and that’s the end of it. But if for some reason you ‘Re not satisfied with the quality of results, or there is any issue with healing that will require more attention, you want to know that you have someone who is personally connected to you and is working hard to tackle their concerns - that someone ISN ‘t just running a mill in which not remember who you are. “

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