LASIK Corrective Eye Surgery Tips

Almost every town or city in America has at least one clinic that offers LASIK corrective eye surgery. And since LASIK eye surgery is so common (over 10 million Americans will have undergone LASIK at the end of 2006), so painless, and over so fast, surely undergoing the procedure is as simple as getting your hair permed.

The common misconception that LASIK eye surgery is a superficial cosmetic procedure has led many people to select the nearest, most convenient, cheapest eye center. Many people who commit to LASIK as if it were trivial procedure have lived to regret it.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission, aware that the multitude of LASIK centers that have mushroomed all over America in recent years need regulating, have provided the public with several pointers to consider before entrusting their vision to a surgeon.

Find the Right Doctor

A good doctor will give you all the facts and only help you decide what's best. Your expectations may not always coincide with the actual benefits of LASIK surgery, and your doctor should help you explore your options and not rush you into making a decision. Under US Federal Law, only ophthalmologists (medical doctors) are allowed to perform LASIK eye surgery.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for a LASIK surgeon.

• The length of time the doctor has been doing LASIK surgery.


• The number of LASIK procedures the doctor has performed.


• The number of the doctor's LASIK patients who see 20/20 or 20/40.


• The number of LASIK patients who returned for additional surgery.


• The laser the doctor uses (must be approved by the FDA, such as ATC, Bausch and Lomb, Nidek, Summit, and VISX).


• Post-surgery care.


• Risks and complications.

Do Not Base Your Decision on Cost Alone

It would be very unfortunate if your bargain hunting would jeopardize your vision and leave you with less than acceptable results that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The level of risk from LASIK eye surgery varies depending on the following:

• the procedure


• devices or hardware (check the FDA website, www.fda.gov, for updates)


• the surgeon

Although the FDA has approved the available procedures and devices, your eyes may have special conditions that may make one procedure more preferable to another. For example, there are two ways to create a corneal flap during LASIK eye surgery (with a metal blade or with a laser) and many centers offer both.

Learn the Benefits, Risks, and Limitations of LASIK Eye Surgery

Do not simply rely on what anyone tells you. There are many resources online that you should check out before even looking for a surgeon or clinic to perform your LASIK eye surgery. Below are some of them.

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology website, http://www.aao.org


• The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance website, http://www.usaeyes.org


• The International Society of Refractive Surgery website, http://www.locateadoc.com