Vision Eyecare Lasik Health and Medical News/Updates

The key to a successful and safe LASIK experience lies in the surgeon performing the procedure. Doing the proper research prior to having any eye surgery will help to ensure the experience is a pleasant one for you. With all the information out there for you, choosing a LASIK surgeon with proven results has never been easier. Keep in mind that a bad eye procedure can affect your life as seriously as a bad heart surgery. After all, one result of bad eye surgery could be blindness. That is why it is so very important to choose the best eye surgeon available in your area.

The following are some suggestions when conducting your search for a highly trained and talented LASIK surgeon:

· Advertisements, academic medical centers and the American College of Surgeons are great places to start. Many refractive surgery centers are advertising in newspapers, on the radio, and on television. Some ads are more informative than others, and some tout extremely good pricing. While these sources may be a good starting point, an ad or a procedure price should certainly NOT be your only criterion in choosing a surgeon. And watch out for misleading advertising claims. If a surgeon claims to be using a laser for 15 years, do not accept that as he is probably talking about another type of laser or procedure since LASIK has not even been around that long.

· Referrals from your regular eye care professional are a good way to find a great surgeon. Tell him or her that you want the LASIK surgeon in your area with the best reputation.

· Call refractive surgery centers in your area and hear what they have to say. The ones proclaiming the lowest prices are the ones to watch out for.

After finding a LASIK surgeon, make an appointment for a consultation. The Council for Refractive provides a list of 50 questions to ask your surgeon. A few are listed below:

· How long have you been performing refractive surgery procedures?

· How many have you done? (Should be more than 500)

· What percentage of your patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better? (Around 65% is the norm; ask for proof if a higher number is stated)

· Have you ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?

· Have you ever had your license to practice refractive surgery revoked, suspended, or restricted?

· Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

· May I speak to some of your former patients and hear about their experience with you?