How to Find a LASIK Surgeon

It can be hard to know how to find a good LASIK eye surgeon, and it might seem like an overwhelming process 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 doctor that will be the right fit for you and your vision goals? The tips below can help steer you in the right direction so you can pick a LASIK surgeon that checks all your must-have boxes.

What makes a good LASIK surgeon?

Do you feel confident that you know how to find a good LASIK eye surgeon that is both experienced and trustworthy? If not, it can be helpful to understand what makes a good LASIK surgeon for you and your vision needs. 

You’ll want to look for an eye surgeon who has years of experience performing the type of LASIK surgery you’re interested in. It’s also important to find an eye surgeon that comes highly recommended. Whether you ask for recommendations from your current optometrist or get recommendations from friends and loved ones, a recommendation from someone you trust can go a long way. Keep reading to learn more about what to look for when choosing a LASIK surgeon.

Why are some LASIK surgeons better than others?

Simply put, some LASIK surgeons simply don’t have the experience or expertise that other practitioners have. They could be new to certain techniques or technology, or they could be new to the field altogether. Other surgeons may not be focused on providing personalized procedures, so they might not be as precise as surgeons who provide custom surgery. 

Because of this, it’s important to do your homework on each provider before booking your procedure. Your eyesight is important, so it’s critical that you choose a highly qualified, experienced surgeon who can give you the best possible results.

How to pick a LASIK surgeon with the right qualifications

Ready to learn how to find a good LASIK eye surgeon? Begin by doing your research. Since you’ll be getting surgery on your corneas, you’ll definitely want someone with the right qualifications and expertise. So how do you decide who to trust with your eyes? Here’s how to find a good LASIK doctor for you. 

• Look into your surgeon’s medical training.

  LASIK surgeons go through four years of college, four years of medical school, and a four-year residency. In addition, LASIK surgeons train in their surgical specialty during one to two–year internships. 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 both a rigorous written and oral exam, which goes beyond the minimum requirements for becoming a LASIK surgeon. This certification ensures your doctor has the knowledge and expertise to provide medical care you can trust.

If you’re having trouble finding information about an eye surgeon’s qualifications on their website, you still have several options. You can either call the office and ask directly, or you can do a little more looking online. 

Try searching for more information about any eye surgeon at medical organizations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology or the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. You can search by location and specialty, then see information about the doctor’s education, residency, fellowships, internships, board certification and more. Additionally, you may be able to find helpful information via your local chamber of commerce. 

Checklist: Qualifications

Look for the following from prospective eye surgeons:

• Transparency about medical training and residencies
• Clear evidence of a medical license
• Board certification from The American Board of Ophthalmology

Finding a LASIK surgeon with experience and expertise

Once you’ve ascertained that any of your potential LASIK surgeons are licensed and board-certified, it’s time to dig a little deeper. For the most reliable results, it’s also important to find a LASIK surgeon with significant experience performing the type of LASIK surgery you’re interested in. 

Additionally, it’s helpful to find a LASIK surgeon that makes you feel safe and 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 find a good LASIK doctor you trust.

• Look at any prospective doctor’s years of experience.

  Choose a LASIK surgeon with ample experience performing LASIK. The doctor you select should be well-versed in current surgical techniques and using modern technology for the most precise results. Explore 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 techniques and technology they use.

  If you’re interested in bladeless LASIK or a custom LASIK procedure, make sure you choose an eye surgeon who is experienced in performing these surgeries. Ask about the techniques they use and the technology they rely on, as well as the length of time they have been using both. Ensure that you feel confident about their level of experience and the methods they use during procedures.

• Ask how the surgeon determines candidates 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. In fact, LASIK surgeons typically screen out at least 15% of the patients seeking LASIK because they’re simply not a good match. Be wary of practices 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 by asking your optometrist or your regular physician for LASIK surgeon recommendations or referrals. They are likely to recommend a surgeon with a great reputation in the local eye care community. 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. If your preferred provider can’t fit you in their schedule, ask if they have any LASIK referrals to offer. 

Checklist: Experience and expertise

Before setting up a consultation with a prospective eye surgeon, 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

Where to look for a good LASIK surgeon

Start by searching the National Practitioner Data Bank to find your LASIK surgeon. Here you’ll be able to ensure any surgeon you’re considering is licensed and in good standing. Search for board-certified eye surgeons to help you narrow your options. You may even want to find a member of the American College of Surgeons. From there, work from a recommendation to help further narrow your list. Still, you may need a little more information to make your final selection for a good LASIK surgeon. 

Since you’ll need to attend multiple appointments, including the procedure and follow-up care, consider finding an office that’s conveniently located. In that case, begin your search within a certain radius of home. From there, it’s beneficial to look at LASIK reviews from real patients to get a feel for the office and staff. You’ll be able to learn about patients’ experiences with particular doctors, as well as learning more about preparation, the procedures themselves, and follow-up care.

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 and ask any questions you may have about LASIK, pre- and post-care, the surgeon’s success and complications rates, and any other details about the practice or the procedure itself. This consultation will also help you get a general 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 LASIK 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 consultation process and all your questions should be answered to your satisfaction. You shouldn’t feel pressured to commit to scheduling a procedure, nor should you feel confused at the end of your consultation. It should be a smooth and helpful experience in which you receive clear and honest information.

After your LASIK consultation, you should feel informed and happy with the way you were treated by everyone you spoke with. You should also have a sense of who the eye surgeon is and whether you’ll enjoy receiving care from them and their staff. 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. When in doubt, wait before scheduling anything and make an appointment with another surgeon so you can make an informed decision.

Checklist: Questions for your consultation

During and after your consultation, make sure you feel:

• Confident that all your questions were answered thoroughly
• Comfortable speaking with the surgeon and any other staff
• Better informed than before your consultation
• Prepared to schedule when you’re ready, or to keep looking for the right surgeon for you

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 only deciding factor. Your eyesight is important, so this isn’t the time to make your choice based on the lowest price. In some cases, higher prices are due to more advanced technology and techniques that result in more precise results. 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.

When you ask about pricing, keep in mind that there are several aspects of the procedure, so you should ask how costs are determined. Will all care before, during, and after the procedure be included in the cost? Is there an extra charge for enhancement, should it be necessary? If so, what is that cost? Make sure you have a clear picture for how your full costs are determined so you can truly get a feel for pricing at each practice you consider. Don’t forget to ask about billing policies as well, including pre-and post-care appointments, so you won’t be surprised about what’s due when.

Checklist: Determining pricing

When it’s time to find out the price for your procedure, get the following information:

• Does the cost include care before, during, and after the procedure
• Is pricing general, or is it based on each unique procedure
• If enhancements are needed, are they an extra charge
• 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. If you have a severe prescription or any conditions or potential complications, it’s especially important to find a surgeon that has treated eyes similar to yours. 

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 have experience treating eyes like mine?
• Does this surgeon make me feel comfortable and confident?
• Is this surgeon conveniently located, or worth the commute?

Why is Dello Russo Laser Vision your best LASIK option?

Now that you know how to find a good LASIK eye surgeon, why are we confident that our practices are an excellent choice for you? The eye surgeons at Dello Russo Laser Vision are not only highly experienced LASIK surgeons, but the founders of the practice are also pioneers in the field of laser eye surgery. Our surgeons have been instrumental in establishing modern laser eye surgery, and our ongoing commitment to state-of-the-art technology and meticulous techniques help provide the best vision correction possible. 

When you make an appointment with Dello Russo Laser Vision, you can trust that your surgeon will have the expertise to provide you with precise treatment for excellent results. Additionally, because we personalize every procedure so that it addresses your eyes’ unique needs, you can feel confident that your surgery is designed especially for you. As a result, you’ll achieve fantastic vision correction with as few side effects as possible.

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. 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. We have been the leading eye care provider for patients in the Northeast for more than 31 years, and 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 170,000 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.

Sources

https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/five-essential-qualifications-for-choosing-a-lasik-surgeon/

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-doctor/lasik-surgeons.htm