If you are considering a vision correction procedure such as LASIK, one of the most important decisions you will make is the choice of a surgeon. But what should you look for when choosing a LASIK surgeon? Here are several qualifications to consider when choosing a LASIK surgeon for your vision correction needs:
Board Certification: Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology? Experience is vitally important and this form of certification suggests a certain higher level of expertise.
Referrals: Perhaps your optometrist refers you to a LASIK surgeon, or a friend or family member has had a positive experience with someone they recommend. These recommendations from trusted sources are as powerful as it gets.
Experience: Ideally, your LASIK surgeon should have performed at least several thousand successful procedures, but preferably tens of thousands of procedures. This type of experience signifies that they have acquired the techniques and knowledge necessary for safe, effective treatment.
Equipment: Technology is always evolving and improving. If this is important to you, make sure that the practice you choose invests in these new technologies. Leading edge technology improves the safety, predictability and precision of LASIK surgery. Don’t settle for a surgeon that offers outdated technology.
Of course there are other driving factors when it comes to choosing a LASIK surgeon (location, cost, availability), but don’t be so quick to discount some of the factors listed above. Just because one surgeon is conveniently located near your house or is offering the surgery at half the cost of another, perhaps more reputable option, doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the best choice for you.
The more time and consideration you take with selecting a LASIK surgeon, the happier you’re likely to be with the experience and outcome. To schedule a LASIK consultation with one of our doctors in Laguna Hills, contact Harvard Eye Associates today by calling 949-951-2020 or visiting harvardeye.com.
