Preparing For LASIK Surgery - Part One: Choosing An Ophthamologist
I've been a contact lens wearer for 20 years.
I have enjoyed the vision and freedom my lenses have provided, especially the peripheral vision.
However, I still have the problem of waking up nearly blind in the morning.
Because I enjoy reading or watching a bit of television before retiring, I sometimes end up sleeping with them in.
By the time I open my eyes in the morning, my lenses have dried out, as have my eyes.
So, I am considering LASIK surgery.
LASIK stands for Laser Assisted in-Situ (stationary) Keratomileusis.
LASIK, or laser, surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea of the eye.
The cornea is the clear covering over the front of the eye.
LASIK surgery corrects the vision of hundreds of thousands of sight-challenged people all over the world.
It is a relatively simple procedure, but it is important to do your homework and find the right ophthalmologist for you.
Here are some guidelines: First, choose a doctor who is an accredited fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Fellows must pass a rigorous board certification exam and must conform to a strict code of ethics.
Next, find out how many LASIK procedures the ophthalmologist has performed.
The more, the better.
Choosing an doctor who has performed at least 3,000 LASIK procedures will have a greatly diminished complication rate.
What a doctor doesn't know could hurt you.
Once you know how many procedure the ophthalmologist has performed, ask about their complication rate.
For top surgeons, that rate is under one half of one percent.
Ask for a referral from other doctors or patients who have had LASIK surgery done.
Most eye centers are more than willing to have a potential candidate speak with happy, post-LASIK patients.
Beware fancy advertisements and promises of "low cost" surgery.
Corporations that provide bargain LASIK procedures are cropping up throughout the United States and Canada.
They target certain markets, and if the center does not meet its productivity goals, they move on, abandoning their patients in the process.
Not only that, but they use outdated technology and random surgeons the patient meets on the day of surgery.
Remember, you get what you pay for.
Choose an ophthalmologist based on qualifications.
Your ophthalmologist should be able to answer all of your questions, including risk factors, benefits and alternatives to LASIK surgery.
He or she should also be able to tell you what your responsibilities will be before, during and after surgery.
Some ophthalmologists offer their potential candidates the opportunity to attend at live LASIK seminar, in which he or she will explain the procedure, then will perform actual LASIK surgery during the seminar.
I am definitely attending this! While I am still trying to decide whether or not LASIK surgery is for me, I am confident I am heading in the right direction.
I have done my research, and have an appointment scheduled with one of the leading ophthalmologists in my area.
I have enjoyed the vision and freedom my lenses have provided, especially the peripheral vision.
However, I still have the problem of waking up nearly blind in the morning.
Because I enjoy reading or watching a bit of television before retiring, I sometimes end up sleeping with them in.
By the time I open my eyes in the morning, my lenses have dried out, as have my eyes.
So, I am considering LASIK surgery.
LASIK stands for Laser Assisted in-Situ (stationary) Keratomileusis.
LASIK, or laser, surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea of the eye.
The cornea is the clear covering over the front of the eye.
LASIK surgery corrects the vision of hundreds of thousands of sight-challenged people all over the world.
It is a relatively simple procedure, but it is important to do your homework and find the right ophthalmologist for you.
Here are some guidelines: First, choose a doctor who is an accredited fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Fellows must pass a rigorous board certification exam and must conform to a strict code of ethics.
Next, find out how many LASIK procedures the ophthalmologist has performed.
The more, the better.
Choosing an doctor who has performed at least 3,000 LASIK procedures will have a greatly diminished complication rate.
What a doctor doesn't know could hurt you.
Once you know how many procedure the ophthalmologist has performed, ask about their complication rate.
For top surgeons, that rate is under one half of one percent.
Ask for a referral from other doctors or patients who have had LASIK surgery done.
Most eye centers are more than willing to have a potential candidate speak with happy, post-LASIK patients.
Beware fancy advertisements and promises of "low cost" surgery.
Corporations that provide bargain LASIK procedures are cropping up throughout the United States and Canada.
They target certain markets, and if the center does not meet its productivity goals, they move on, abandoning their patients in the process.
Not only that, but they use outdated technology and random surgeons the patient meets on the day of surgery.
Remember, you get what you pay for.
Choose an ophthalmologist based on qualifications.
Your ophthalmologist should be able to answer all of your questions, including risk factors, benefits and alternatives to LASIK surgery.
He or she should also be able to tell you what your responsibilities will be before, during and after surgery.
Some ophthalmologists offer their potential candidates the opportunity to attend at live LASIK seminar, in which he or she will explain the procedure, then will perform actual LASIK surgery during the seminar.
I am definitely attending this! While I am still trying to decide whether or not LASIK surgery is for me, I am confident I am heading in the right direction.
I have done my research, and have an appointment scheduled with one of the leading ophthalmologists in my area.