DR. RICHARD S. EISENBERG - WARNER CENTER OPTOMETRY - How to Choose a Refractive Surgeon

Under the care of an experienced doctor, carefully screened candidates with reasonable expectations and a clear understanding of the risks and alternatives are likely to be happy with the results of their refractive procedure.

If you are considering refractive surgery, make sure you:

Compare. The levels of risk and benefit vary slightly not only from procedure to procedure, but from device to device depending on the manufacturer, and from surgeon to surgeon depending on their level of experience with a particular procedure.
Don't base your decision simply on cost and don't settle for the first eye center, doctor, or procedure you investigate. Remember that the decisions you make about your eyes and refractive surgery will affect you for the rest of your life.
Be wary of eye centers that advertise, "20/20 vision or your money back" or "package deals." There are never any guarantees in medicine.
Read. It is important for you to read the patient handbook provided to your doctor by the manufacturer of the device used to perform the refractive procedure. Your doctor should provide you with this handbook and be willing to discuss his/her outcomes (successes as well as complications) compared to the results of studies outlined in the handbook.

There are many questions to consider before choosing a qualified surgeon. Here are a few key questions you should be sure to ask:

How long have you been doing LASIK surgery?
How much experience do you have with the LASIK procedure?
How do you define success?
What's your success rate?
What is the chance for me (with my correction) to achieve 20/20?
How many of your patients have achieved 20/20 or 20/40 vision?
How many patients return for enhancements? (In general 5-15% return.)
What laser will you be using for my surgery? (Make sure your surgeon is using a laser approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
What's involved in after-surgery care?
Who will handle after-surgery care? Who will be responsible?
What about risks and possible complications?

DR. RICHARD S. EISENBERG - WARNER CENTER OPTOMETRY
	Home Our Practice Our Services Special Events Promotions Patient Forms Eye Care Articles The History of Contact Newsletter What is 20/20 Vision Eyecare Web Sites	How to Choose a Refractive Surgeon How to Choose a Refractive Surgeon Under the care of an experienced doctor, carefully screened candidates with reasonable expectations and a clear understanding of the risks and alternatives are likely to be happy with the results of their refractive procedure. If you are considering refractive surgery, make sure you: Compare. The levels of risk and benefit vary slightly not only from procedure to procedure, but from device to device depending on the manufacturer, and from surgeon to surgeon depending on their level of experience with a particular procedure. Don't base your decision simply on cost and don't settle for the first eye center, doctor, or procedure you investigate. Remember that the decisions you make about your eyes and refractive surgery will affect you for the rest of your life. Be wary of eye centers that advertise, "20/20 vision or your money back" or "package deals." There are never any guarantees in medicine. Read. It is important for you to read the patient handbook provided to your doctor by the manufacturer of the device used to perform the refractive procedure. Your doctor should provide you with this handbook and be willing to discuss his/her outcomes (successes as well as complications) compared to the results of studies outlined in the handbook. There are many questions to consider before choosing a qualified surgeon. Here are a few key questions you should be sure to ask: How long have you been doing LASIK surgery? How much experience do you have with the LASIK procedure? How do you define success? What's your success rate? What is the chance for me (with my correction) to achieve 20/20? How many of your patients have achieved 20/20 or 20/40 vision? How many patients return for enhancements? (In general 5-15% return.) What laser will you be using for my surgery? (Make sure your surgeon is using a laser approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). What's involved in after-surgery care? Who will handle after-surgery care? Who will be responsible? What about risks and possible complications?
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