Preparing for surgery can feel a little overwhelming, so it’s important to get as much information as you can beforehand. Start with a consultation with a prospective LASIK surgeon and address all of your burning questions. But what are the right LASIK eye surgery questions to ask and how do you know if a LASIK surgeon is right for you?
If you’re wondering what questions to ask a LASIK doctor, we have you covered. You’ll know you’ve found the right LASIK surgeon when you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to schedule your surgery. Here’s what to ask in a LASIK consultation.
9 Questions to Ask a LASIK Doctor
Wondering what to ask in a LASIK consultation? Start with these nine questions below. You may have other questions as you talk with the LASIK surgeon, so don’t hesitate to ask those as they come up. The most important thing is that you feel confident in your procedure and the doctor you’ve chosen to perform the surgery. Once that’s done, it should be smooth sailing.
Who will perform my LASIK surgery?
When you first contact the LASIK center you’re interested in, make sure you ask which surgeons are available to perform your procedure. Before you book anything, you should have a clear picture of your LASIK surgeon’s background and experience, as well as their general qualifications. If there are several options for available surgeons for you, inquire about how the LASIK center matches surgeons with patients.
Book your consultation with the surgeon you’re interested in so that you can ask them any specific questions about how they operate or their experience. You’ll also be able to get a feel for the surgeon’s general demeanor, which might be particularly important to you if you’re nervous. The goal is to feel good about the surgeon performing your procedure
How will you determine whether I’m a good candidate for LASIK surgery?
Not everyone is a LASIK candidate, and it’s important that your LASIK surgeon be open and honest about that. First, ask about how they determine whether a patient is a candidate for LASIK. Generally speaking, this is typically the purpose of the initial consultation. Ask about what factors they take into consideration to determine patients’ candidacy for LASIK.
If there is any reason that you are concerned that you might not be a candidate, either because of your unique vision, your age, or a health condition, discuss this during your consultation. Your LASIK surgeon should be able to discuss whether or not you may still qualify— and in the event that you are not eligible, they will be able to provide alternative solutions, like PRK.
Is age a factor to consider in LASIK surgery?
You should not get LASIK if you are under the age of 18. Your doctor should take your age into account, but it will only be one factor among many when looking at whether you are a candidate for LASIK surgery.
What technology will be used during my LASIK procedure?
There are several different types of LASIK surgery, from conventional LASIK to bladeless custom LASIK. Conventional LASIK uses a blade to create the corneal flap and tends to offer a more general solution. Bladeless custom LASIK uses an all-laser approach and wavefront mapping to create a personalized procedure for the patient’s unique eyes.
Ask about the surgeon’s preferred technology and what benefits are offered by that technology. Be sure to also ask about side effects and risks associated with the surgeon’s preferred technology.
What results can I expect after my LASIK surgery?
While the ultimate goal is perfect vision, 20/20 vision isn’t achievable for some patients. However, significant improvement is almost always obtainable and that improvement should last a long time. Your surgeon should be honest about what you can expect from your vision correction surgery, including telling you what isn’t possible.
Ask your surgeon about what results you can realistically expect after your surgery. Ask about whether you might still need glasses in some situations, and whether you might need additional vision correction or re-treatment in the future. If what you’re hearing sounds too good to be true, ask for more detailed information, or a second opinion to reassure you.
Are there any potential risks I should know about before LASIK?
LASIK is a reliably successful procedure, and your LASIK surgeon should be able to tell you their success rate. However, as with all surgical procedures, there are always some small risks.
One of the most important questions to ask your LASIK doctor is about the potential risks unique to you. General risks can include issues with infection or the corneal flap, although many of those risks are mitigated by following your post-operative instructions correctly and following your doctor’s orders.
That said, it is important to talk to your surgeon about any risks that might be specific to you and your eyes. Ask about what you can do to reduce your risks and whether the risks are higher for you for any reason. Again, you should feel fully informed after getting the answers to these questions
Are there any LASIK side effects I should be prepared for?
Another one of the essential LASIK eye surgery questions to ask is about what kind of side effects to expect or prepare for. LASIK can involve some side effects, though most of them will dissipate with time as your eyes heal. You must follow your doctor’s instructions after your procedure to help minimize any side effects and encourage healing.
In general, you will likely experience dry eyes, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and teary eyes right after your procedure. Much of that will resolve within the first couple of days, though you may still experience some of these side effects in bright light. You may also struggle with night vision at first until your eyes have healed more. Ask about what is to be expected and when you should be concerned when it comes to LASIK side effects.
How long will my LASIK results last?
The answer to this will vary depending on your unique eyes, which is why it’s such an important question to ask. Your LASIK procedure will correct certain aspects of your vision, but it will not change the fact that your eyes will continue to age along with the rest of your body. While some people’s LASIK treatment lasts them their whole life, other patients may need additional treatment down the road.
Ask about how your particular vision correction is expected to age with your eyes. It can be helpful to know whether you may just need readers as your eyes age, or whether you can expect to need re-treatment at some point.
What will the cost of LASIK be for me?
The cost of a LASIK procedure will vary with your eyes and their vision correction needs. If you are getting a custom LASIK procedure, the treatment plan will be created and personalized especially for you and your eyes. As such, you can expect that it might cost a bit more. When you have your consultation, discuss what you can expect your procedure to cost. From there, you can discuss financing and other options, should you need them.
Keep in mind that surgical procedures are probably not the kind of thing you’ll want to be getting at a deep discount. It’s much more important to get an experienced and highly qualified surgeon. If one center offers a significantly lower price than other centers, be wary.
Knowing the Right LASIK Questions to Ask Will Benefit You
It’s important to feel prepared and educated before surgery. Knowing the right LASIK questions to ask is an important step and will help you be prepared for your initial consultation. From there, you’ll need to choose a surgeon to perform your surgery. If you don’t feel good walking out of your consultation, that LASIK surgeon is not the right choice for you. Now that you know what to ask in a LASIK consultation, you’ll be ready to try again if that’s the case. We invite you to try Dello Russo Laser Vision.
At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we’re committed to providing warm, friendly, and professional service to each of our patients. Your comfort is important to us, and we also want to ensure that you feel well informed before any procedure with us. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to every prospective patient.
During your complimentary consultation, you’ll have the chance to speak with one of our world class LASIK surgeons. You can ask any questions you might have to better understand laser eye surgery. You’ll also discuss determining your candidacy for LASIK, and what the experience will be like, both during and after the procedure. We know it can be a little nerve-wracking to schedule a surgery, and we’re here to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Ready to get started? Schedule your free initial consultation with Dello Russo Laser Vision today. We look forward to helping improve your vision!
