Finding The Right LASIK Doctor

Finding the right doctor is a critical part of having a successful LASIK experience. Experienced LASIK Doctors that have performed many procedures use the best technology and equipment, resulting in better LASIK results.

Due to the increase in popularity, the price of LASIK surgery has continued to drop. However, one should not assume that the best way to find the right doctor is by price alone. Here are a few tips for finding a good LASIK doctor.

• Education - Look for doctors that with specialized education in LASIK or refractive eye surgery. Remember that not all ophthalmologists are qualified to perform LASIK surgery.


• Experience - Although advancements in technology makes it easier to get good results, experience is still important.


• Ask other Patients - Ask patients that have previously had LASIK done and may some problems or complications. If their follow up was a success, the doctor cared for his/her patient. If not, then the doctor was very poor.


• Ask tough questions - such as:
  
  
  
  • What percentage of refractive surgery candidates do you decline? - If they say none, then steer clear.
  
  
  • What percent of your refractive surgery patients receive UCVA of 20/20 or better? - If the doctor mentions some ridiculously high number, 75% for example, ask for proof.
  
  
  • Have you ever had your Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) certification revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted?
  
  
  • How many refractive procedures of the exact type you intend to use for me, with the same equipment, and the same refractive error, have you performed?
  
  
  • Does the doctor listen to you? If the doctor seems hurried or distracted, they are probably the same way after patients complain of complications.
  
  
  • Prior to a procedure, is the doctor honest and forthright about explaining what could go wrong?
    
    
  
  
  • Were you fully examined and questioned to make sure that you're a good candidate
  
  
  • The following sayings always hold true: "If it's too good to be true, it isn't" and "You get what you pay for". Be ready for a hefty price tag, if you truly want the best of the best.
  
  

Intralase

InstraLASIK is a form of LASIK that creates a corneal flap using a femtosecond laser microkeratome instead of the mechanical microkeratome, which uses steel blades. For the most part, the only difference between traditional LASIK and intraLASIK is, indeed, the way in which the LASIK flap is created. Once the corneal flap is removed, an excimer laser is used on the inner cornea to correct vision.
The creation of the flap is an important part of the laser eye surgery procedure. It’s true that flap predictability is better with a laser flap than with bladeless LASIK. Moreover, there is a reduced possibility of flap complications, such as partial flaps, flap dislocation, free flaps etc. However, an expert surgeon wielding a contemporary microkeratome can very well match the finesse of bladeless LASIK. Although the chances are rare, there is an issue of transient light sensitivity as well – a unique risk associated with blade less LASIK. Moreover, the bladeless LASIK procedure costs an extra $300 per eye, when compared with traditional LASIK.

Videos on Lasik Procedure

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Basik Facts about LASIK

1. It is a form of refractive laser eye surgery procedure performed by ophthalmologists intended for correcting myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
2. The basic premise of a LASIK eye surgery is to reshape the clear dome from the front surface from the part of the eye that focuses light into the retina, which is called the cornea.
3. Post Operative evaluations and exams includes the following:
   Eye Exam
   Measurement of Pupil
   Corneal Topography
   Corneal Thickness Measurement
   Dry Eye Evaluation
   Cycloplegic Dilated Exam
4. After completion of the LASIK surgery examinations are required 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. These critical appointments help in evaluating the eye's healing process as well as to guard and prevent against infections.
5. For the most part, the vast majority of LASIK patients are highly satisfied. Most mention that the quality of their lives and daily routines have improved. Many surveys conducted have found that over 95% of LASIK patients mention that they are very satisfied.
6. Potential Risk and Complications can occur during and/or after surgery
7. Finding the right doctor is a critical part of having a successful LASIK experience.
8. Not everyone meets the criteria for LASIK eye surgery. It is important to understand who does and who does not meet these criteria. LASIK is refractive surgery on the cornea or lens of the eye. It does not solve blindness, problems with vision due to the brain, or vision problems that come upon again. LASIK is primarily for those with myopia(nearsightedness), Hyperopia(farsightedness), or astigmatism(a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens).