WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A REFRACTIVE SURGEON
As more surgeons and facilities recognize the benefits of providing corrective vision surgery, it has become increasingly important for patients to sort through all the claims and choose the right surgeon and the right facility. Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing a refractive surgeon:
Experience
Your refractive surgeon should have several years of experience treating nearsightedness and astigmatism surgically. Ask to speak with patients done years ago, not just recent patients. Surgeons performing LASIK should have several years of experience using microkeratomes, the instruments used to create the corneal flap. Prior to the introduction of the excimer laser, the ALK procedure required the use of the microkeratome to treat moderate and severe nearsightedness. The best LASIK surgeons have performed large numbers of ALK procedures in the early 1990's. If you are interested in LASIK, be sure your surgeon has this level of experience.
Comprehensive Skills
Your refractive surgeon should be skilled at all of the currently available techniques to treat vision problems. Be very wary of any surgeon or facility which offers only one technique. Many patients have the luxury of a choice among different procedures, but a surgeon who knows only how to perform one will not offer choices.
