How to Find a LASIK Surgeon
Finding a LASIK surgeon can seem overwhelming at first. These are your eyes, so you should find a LASIK surgeon you feel confident about. But do you know how to find a good LASIK surgeon that will be the right fit for you? The tips below can help steer you in the right direction so you can pick a LASIK surgeon that checks all your boxes.
How to pick a LASIK surgeon with the right qualifications
Want to know how to find a good LASIK surgeon? Begin by doing your research. We’re talking about surgery on your eyes, so you’ll definitely want someone with the right qualifications. So how do you decide who to trust with your eyes?
- Look into your surgeon’s medical training.
A LASIK surgeon will have gone through four years of college, four years of medical school, and a four-year residency. In addition, a LASIK surgeon will have had a one to two year internship during which they train in their surgical specialty. Make sure you see evidence of your LASIK surgeon’s training, as well as their medical license for practicing in your state.
- Find a surgeon that’s board-certified by The American Board of Ophthalmology.
Becoming board-certified requires passing a rigorous written exam as well as an oral exam, which goes beyond the minimum requirements for becoming a LASIK surgeon. It’s just another step that ensures your doctor has the knowledge and expertise to provide medical care you can trust.
Checklist: Qualifications for choosing an eye surgeon
Look for the following qualifications:
- Transparency about medical training and residencies
- Clear evidence of a medical license
- Board certification from The American Board of Ophthalmology
Choosing a LASIK surgeon with experience and expertise
Once you’ve ascertained that any potential LASIK surgeons are licensed and board-certified, it’s time to dig a little deeper. You should also find a LASIK surgeon with significant experience performing this surgery. However, there’s also something to be said for finding a LASIK surgeon that makes you feel confident about the procedure they’ll perform. Selecting a LASIK surgeon you trust is an important part of making the process feel as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Here’s how to ensure you can find an eye surgeon you trust.
- Look at any prospective doctor’s years of experience.
Choose a LASIK surgeon with ample experience performing LASIK who’s well-versed in current surgical techniques and technology. Peruse each surgeon’s website to see if they share how many LASIK surgeries they’ve performed. Ideally, you’ll want someone who has performed at least 10,000 LASIK procedures. If you don’t see any numbers, make a note to ask during your consultation.
- Ask about the types of techniques and technology they use.
If you’re interested in bladeless LASIK or a custom LASIK procedure, make sure you’re choosing an eye surgeon who is experienced in performing these surgeries. Ask about the techniques they use and the technology they rely on to ensure that you feel confident about their methods.
- See if the surgeon discusses who is a candidate for LASIK.
Look for information on the surgeon’s website about determining whether or not a patient is a candidate for LASIK. A good LASIK surgeon will be transparent about the fact that not everyone is a good candidate. Be wary of anyone claiming that anyone can get LASIK. Similarly, it should give you pause if you see a surgeon claiming that LASIK will provide perfect vision to every candidate. While LASIK is a wonderful option for many people and can absolutely improve your vision substantially, there are limitations.
- Get recommendations from people you trust.
Start with your optometrist or your regular physician and see if they can make any recommendations or referrals. If you know people who have had LASIK or other laser eye surgeries recently, ask if they would recommend their surgeon. If they mention someone who’s already on your list, ask about their experience with the eye surgeon. Reading LASIK reviews may also provide insight about LASIK providers.
Checklist: Finding a LASIK surgeon with experience and expertise
Before setting up a consultation, find out:
- The LASIK surgeon’s years of experience
- Techniques and/or technology used in the office
- What they say about who is and is not a good candidate for LASIK
- If other doctors or people you trust recommend them
What to Ask During Your Initial Consultation
After you’ve determined that a LASIK surgeon has the qualifications, experience, and expertise you’re looking for, it’s time to schedule a consultation. Many LASIK providers offer initial consultations, which are often complimentary. This allows you to speak to someone in the office, ask a few questions, and generally get a feel for how that practice operates. This consultation may be in person, on the phone, or via video chat, depending on the practice and the circumstances.
Think of your consultation like an interview of sorts. Have your current questions ready ahead of time, and make sure you ask about anything additional that comes up during the consultation. You should feel comfortable throughout the entire process. You shouldn’t feel pressured to commit to scheduling a procedure, nor should you feel confused at the end of your consultation. The process should be smooth and helpful, and you should receive clear and honest information.
After your consultation, you should feel informed and happy with the way you were treated. You should also have a sense of who this surgeon is and whether you’ll enjoy receiving care from them. Choosing a LASIK surgeon is personal, so never underestimate the power of your own impression. Even if they get rave reviews, keep looking if you don’t feel comfortable or confident talking to them.
Checklist: Questions to ask at your consultation
Ask the following questions and ensure you’re satisfied with the answers you’re given:
- Has this LASIK surgeon treated anyone with my vision diagnosis?
- How many LASIK procedures has this surgeon performed and how many do they perform per week, on average?
- How will the surgeon ensure that I’m a good candidate for LASIK?
- What kind of pre-care and post-care does the practice or surgeon provide?
- Does this surgeon provide traditional or bladeless LASIK, and why?
- Does this surgeon offer custom LASIK procedures?
- How is the cost of my procedure determined?
How to pick a LASIK surgeon with costs in mind
Price is a consideration when it comes to choosing your eye surgeon, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Your eyesight is important, so this isn’t the time to go bargain-hunting. If you find a LASIK surgeon with a price significantly lower than what’s quoted by other providers, you should be cautious.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with taking price into account during your search for the right LASIK surgeon. Even high-end LASIK providers may offer certain discounts or seasonal offer programs that could save you money. Financing options and payment plans are also available at many providers. All other things being equal, the LASIK cost can play a part in your choice. Just ensure that price is not the main deciding factor.
Checklist: Determining pricing
When it’s time to find out the price for your procedure, get the following information:
- Is pricing general, or is it based on each unique procedure
- Are there discounts or seasonal offers available
- What kind of financing options or payment plans are available
How to find a good LASIK surgeon that offers what you need
Ultimately, you’ll need to choose a LASIK surgeon that not only makes you feel comfortable and confident in their skills, but one that can also provide you with the procedure you need. The eye surgeon you select should be able to give you the best vision correction outcome possible. Your eyes are unique, which means your LASIK procedure should be personalized to you and your needs. You’ll get the best results by picking a LASIK surgeon who is able to create a custom procedure that can address your precise vision diagnosis.
Additionally, while it might seem low on the list of must-haves, try to locate a LASIK surgeon that is conveniently located for you. Since you’ll need to return to the office for checkups following your procedure, make sure the location is easily accessible. If the eye surgeon is located a little further away than you’d prefer, are you willing to make the trip as often as you’ll need to? Some providers are worth a commute, while you might decide that others are not. You can also find out if the LASIK surgeon you’re interested in performs LASIK at more than one practice.
Checklist: Will you get what you need?
When you’re making your final decision, ask yourself the following questions:
- Can this eye surgeon provide the kind of personalized care I want?
- Is a custom procedure available for me?
- Does this surgeon make me feel comfortable and confident?
- Is this surgeon conveniently located, or worth the commute?
Find a LASIK surgeon for you at Dello Russo Laser Vision
When it’s time to choose a LASIK surgeon you can trust, use the checklists provided above to help you find the right surgeon for you. Make sure you can answer every question, and that you feel satisfied with the answers you receive.
From there, we invite you to start with Dello Russo Laser Vision. We are a dedicated LASIK center with four different locations in Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, and New Jersey. As the leading eye care provider for patients in the Northeast for more than 31 years, we’re proud of our long-standing service to our community. As celebrated contributors to the field of laser eye surgery, we’re committed to remaining at the forefront of ophthalmological treatments and technology.
The highly experienced LASIK surgeons at Dello Russo Laser Vision have the expertise to provide precise and personalized LASIK treatments. Our founders were the first in the nation to perform bladeless LASIK with the Intralase laser, and the first LASIK center in the New York area to use custom wavefront mapping. Our world class LASIK surgeons have also trained over a hundred surgeons worldwide and, together, have performed over 190,000 laser eye surgeries.
Dello Russo Laser Vision is a family-run business focused on providing high-quality LASIK procedures with friendly, professional service. You can trust our reputation to help you get excellent vision results. Book your complimentary initial video consultation to find out more about what we can offer you today. We look forward to helping you improve your vision.
