LASIK Surgeons
Choosing your LASIK surgeon is the most important decision you will make when considering LASIK or any refractive surgery. The right LASIK surgeon will advise you honestly if you are not a good candidate, and will perform your surgery will the highest level of skill. An excellent LASIK surgeon is the key to an excellent outcome. This is your vision. Make sure you are in good hands.
Finding LASIK Surgeons to Evaluate
Referrals are a good place to start looking for a LASIK surgeon. Examples of good sources include:
- Your eye doctor
- Friends and family who have had laser vision correction and are happy with the results
- LASIK surgeons you trust, but are too far away for you to go to
The internet can be a good place for your initial search too, but be cautious. Do not choose a LASIK surgeon based on price. A free initial consultation is a good thing. It is your opportunity to decide if that surgeon is right for you. A surgeon or surgical center that tries to win over patients by offering the lowest price in town is something to stay away from.
Credentials
Verify your prospective surgeon’s credentials before booking your consultation. That can save you some time and effort.
- You can verify credentials through your state’s licensing board or the National Practitioner Databank
- Choose a surgeon who is not just licensed to practice, but board certified by an entity that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It should be something relevant, such as the American Board of Ophthalmology.
- Choose a member of the American College of Surgeons, preferably a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
During Your Consultations
Yes, consultations, plural. You should interview more than one LASIK surgeon before choosing. It is much better to put the time and effort in now than to try to find someone who may or may not be able to correct the mistakes of a hastily chosen eye surgeon.
During your consultations, you are looking for:
- Experience, both in the number of years performing LASIK and in the number of surgeries like yours performed.
- High success rate. It is normal for 5% to 15% of patients to return for enhancements or touch-ups.
- A surgeon and staff that you feel comfortable with. Everyone should make you feel welcome and be willing to answer all of your questions or direct you to the person who can.
- A clean and well-organized office.
- An office that is close to home. You will definitely have follow-up appointments. There is always the chance that you will need to return for other reasons such as complications or issues that may or may not mean you are experiencing a complication but should get checked out.
To get started, search this directory for a list of LASIK surgeons near you.