| The key to safe, successful surgery in any field | | | | or books also indicate a level of respect by the |
| of medicine is an informed patient with realistic | | | | surgeon's peers. See if your surgeon has been |
| expectations and a skilled, experienced surgeon. | | | | recognized with any awards. |
| This goes double for your eyes. Take the time to | | | | Check to see if a surgeon has had multiple |
| research not only the procedure, but also the | | | | malpractice suits. Even the best doctor may have |
| surgeon and the laser center you are considering. | | | | had a lawsuit against him or her, but multiple |
| Ask questions. Do your research. And don't let | | | | lawsuits require an explanation. |
| cost be your deciding factor-we're talking about | | | | New technologies |
| your eyes. | | | | Refractive surgery is a dynamic field. Your |
| How to find a surgeon | | | | doctors should be keeping up! It pays to get a |
| Word-of-mouth is a good indicator. Begin with the | | | | sense of your surgeon's thirst for knowledge and |
| people you know-family, friends and associates, | | | | advancing technologies. |
| an optometrist or ophthalmologist you trust. Look | | | | If your procedure is being performed in the |
| for a refractive surgeon you feel has your best | | | | United States, make sure it is done only on an |
| interests at heart. | | | | FDA-approved excimer laser. Ask about the latest |
| Physician Search Directories on the Internet may | | | | laser upgrades. Remember surgeons in other |
| be helpful, but are limited to those who chose to | | | | countries may use lasers that have not had to |
| participate. Checking the surgeon's credentials is | | | | withstand FDA scrutiny. |
| your job. Many surgeons have their own website | | | | Care provider & staff |
| detailing their practice along with qualifications and | | | | Some patients choose to see their family eye |
| experience. Ask for the surgeon's web address. | | | | care specialist for their preoperative and |
| LASIK surgery is one of the fastest growing | | | | postoperative care. If this is the case, make sure |
| industries in the world. These days many | | | | that your surgeon is accessible to you at any |
| surgeons and laser centers advertise. Beware of | | | | time during your preoperative and postoperative |
| the hard sell and discounters! Discount surgery is | | | | period. The doctor's staff should also feel |
| as good as a discount parachute. Go for a | | | | comfortable and confident with the entire |
| well-qualified surgeon and pay what it costs. | | | | procedure. Competence and compassion go a long |
| Experience and results | | | | way. |
| Studies show surgeons with more experience | | | | Personal compatibility |
| have the fewer complications. Does the surgeon | | | | Personal chemistry can make a difference in your |
| feel confident enough with the procedure to have | | | | experience with any type of surgery. Choose a |
| done family members? Find out how much | | | | surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. That |
| experience your surgeon has with the | | | | person should be easy to talk to, yet professional. |
| procedure-the more the better. | | | | Most importantly, your surgeon should listen |
| Ask how the surgeon is tracking surgical results. | | | | closely to what you want and be willing to take |
| Surgeons should be able to cite specific numbers | | | | the time necessary for you to understand the |
| and outcomes for vision problems similar to yours. | | | | procedure and devise a treatment plan that best |
| Benchmarking shows the surgeon's concern for | | | | suits your needs. |
| achieving the best possible results. | | | | Take your time |
| Success, complication rates | | | | You have probably worn glasses or contacts for |
| Discuss the success rates and complication rates | | | | most of your life. There is no rush to decide who |
| for your individual surgery. Surgical success means | | | | will do your refractive procedure. Take your time |
| not only knowing how to avoid complications, but | | | | and ask whatever questions you need to feel |
| also how to handle difficult situations before they | | | | comfortable with your choice. Laser refractive |
| occur. Beware of the surgeon who claims never | | | | surgery has improved the eyesight of more than |
| to have had a complication. He/she has done very | | | | a million people in the United States and nearly the |
| few procedures or is not being truthful. What's | | | | same number throughout the world. Most |
| important is that the surgeon has a low | | | | refractive surgery patients report that having |
| complication rate and the ultimate visual outcomes | | | | laser surgery is the best decision they have ever |
| are good. | | | | made. Your refractive surgeon need not be your |
| Certifications, awards, malpractice suits | | | | best friend, but you should have the confidence |
| Look for a surgeon certified by the American | | | | that he or she has the skills and experience to |
| Academy of Ophthalmology. Participation in | | | | perform the procedure. |
| research, lecturing and writing professional articles | | | | |