What to Avoid When Choosing a Surgeon
As you begin your search for an eye surgeon there are definitely a few things that should be avoided. Certainly one thing to avoid is the lure to go with whoever is offering the lowest price in town. The lowest price rarely translates to the most experienced surgeon or the center with the most to offer you. Offices that cannot give you concrete answers to your questions concerning outcomes of previous patients with prescriptions similar to yours, or success rates for their surgeons should probably be avoided. Also surgery centers that do not offer a commitment to you after your surgery, concerning the possible need for follow-up surgery with no additional charge to you, should also be avoided.
Although the excimer laser is controlled entirely by the computer, the experience and skill of the surgeon is critical. The making of the corneal flap is difficult to accomplish, and requires extensive training and experience. In fact, studies show that there is a direct correlation between the doctor's experience level and the rate of complications, if any.
During the Consultation
The purpose of the consultation is to determine candidacy for the procedure, as well as to explain the procedure in detail, and answer any questions. During the consultation we perform a thorough eye examination, which includes various tests for medical and ocular history.
This complete exam generally lasts about 1.5 hours. As a result of the dilation drops, reading vision may be blurry for a few hours, and there will be an increase in light sensitivity. There is generally no problem with patients driving afterwards.
Prior to the consultation, we ask patients to discontinue the use of contact lens; 3 days for soft lenses, 3 weeks for gas permeable, and 3-6 weeks for hard lenses. These lenses change the shape of the cornea and affect our ability to take accurate measurements.
The consultation is complimentary, and there is no obligation to schedule surgery as a result.