Talking to Your Lasik Surgeon

For anyone considering a Lasik procedure to correct vision, it is crucial
to find a physician that is reputable and caring. It is also very important
that they are experienced and knowledgeable in the Lasik procedure, and
that they have a track record of patients that are happy with the treatment
they received and the results that they got.

This guide gives a number of basic questions that you should ask when
deciding on which Lasik center and which doctor to select for your Lasik
procedure.  The comfort you have during the process, and even the results
that you receive, may depend on getting good answers to these questions. 
It is important to realize that the answers to these questions will vary
from physician to physician.

The first question to ask is "How many years have you been performing this
type of Lasik surgery?" There are several variations of the Lasik procedure,
and the doctor should have a track record of at least three years in doing
Lasik procedures.  This amount of time also allows the doctor to watch his
patients and the long term success of their Lasik procedures.

Next, ask the physician for the number of Lasik procedures they have
performed in the last two years.  The physician should do the operation
frequently enough that he is well versed in current procedures. 
Also, he should be successful enough that prospective Lasik patients feel
comfortable in coming to the Lasik center.  The physician should perform
at least 500 Lasik surgeries in the last two years.

At this point, ask what percent of his clients that underwent Lasik surgery
ended up with 20/40 vision or better.  Notice that not all patients will
achieve 20/20 vision, and that is acceptable.  However, it is important
that 90 percent of the patients get at least a 20/40 correction after the
first Lasik procedure.  Claims of much more than 90 percent might make him
seem much better, but in this case ask for evidence that that number is true.
There are some exceptional physicians out there, but also a few Lasik
doctors that make unfounded claims.  Asking the doctor what percentage of
Lasik patients achieve 20/20 should run about 50 percent. 
Again, if the number is greatly higher, ask for evidence.

Finally, ask about post-Lasik complications.  The percentage of patients
that experience complications after 6 months is complete should be 3 percent
or less.  If the physician claims that complications are so rare that he
doesn't keep records, you should be very suspicious and ask for evidence,
if any. 

No doctor is perfect. 
Similarly, when asked the percentage of patients that require an additional
operation to achieve clear vision, the number should be less than 10 percent.

To wrap up the interview, ask the physician what types of Lasik procedures
he recommends and practices, and under what circumstances he denied a
Lasik procedure to a patient.  Not all vision challenged people are good
candidates for a Lasik operation, and the doctor should at least have a few
examples of people he dissuaded from the operation.

Finally, ask about the cost of the operation and if financing plans are
available through the Lasik center.  A physician that is willing to sit
down and discuss these questions is often a physician that will address
any other medical issues that come up, and is a good prospect to perform
your Lasik procedure.