Top 7 Questions You MUST Ask Your Doctor Before a LASIK Procedure
Face it - your eyes are one of the most important parts of your body, and something that should be taken great care of.
If you're considering laser vision correction, it's essential you do your research to learn the risks and complications associated with it.
You should also find a surgeon you're comfortable with, and most importantly, ensure you're making a decision that's right for you.
Thousands of people undergo LASIK each year with very good results.
The procedure is known to be quick and painless, and many people show improved vision just a few days after their surgery.
If you're considering it as an option, your first step is to meet with a doctor who will determine if you're a candidate for LASIK.
This appointment is also your chance to ask them questions about their practice, the procedure, and the possible risk factors.
Here are a few of the most important you can ask to help ensure your procedure goes smoothly: Is LASIK right for me? Before recommending LASIK, the doctor will do a consultation and eye exam, then provide his or her professional opinion.
At this point, you should discuss your medical history and confirm that you haven't experienced fluctuations in your vision over the last year.
After reviewing this information, your doctor will be able to determine if the procedure is right for you.
What is the recovery time for a LASIK procedure? What should I expect my vision to be like for the weeks following my surgery? Many patients experience improved vision just a day or two after their procedure and can soon resume their normal daily activities.
However, if you're an individual with a higher prescription, you may need more time to recover.
The speed of healing also depends on your body's healing patterns.
For the weeks following the procedure, it's not unlikely for patients to experience minor side effects including regression, minor halos, minor starbursting, and similar effects.
Your doctor should explain this to you so you're informed of all possible scenarios.
He or she should also let you know how to best care for your eyes after the surgery, which may include things like protective eyewear, prescription drops, and plenty of rest.
What are the potential risks associated with LASIK? Although complications are rare, they can occur.
The most common are eye dryness, complications in closing the surgical flap, under- or over-correction, and night glare.
Being diligent with your post-operative care can also help heal any complications.
All experienced and respected doctors will discuss these with you in your initial consultation.
And remember, if you don't feel like your question is being answered, don't feel guilty asking again.
It's important that you're 100% comfortable with the procedure and the surgeon.
What are my options for paying for the surgery? Unfortunately, many insurance plans don't cover LASIK.
The cost can range widely from one provider to the next, and can depend on several factors, including the use of new technologies, the use of bladeless LASIK, and more.
And, the cost of LASIK is usually quoted per eye, even if you get both done on the same day.
A procedure can cost anywhere from $1,000 - $2,000 per eye.
Plan to save at least that much, or be prepared to look at other financing options.
Each office will have their own set of payment options, which may include a plan with a special finance rate through the LASIK company or the surgeon's office.
Another option your surgeon may mention is a Flexible Spending Account, or FSA.
With an FSA, you use pre-tax income to pay for your medical costs - you're essentially creating an interest-free financing program for yourself.
Aside from these questions, there are a few tougher ones to ask as well.
Although they may be uncomfortable to discuss, it will be worth it in the long run.
The success of your procedure depends on how experienced your doctor is, the type of laser used, and more.
Asking the following questions will help ensure that's the case: Is your laser FDA approved? Has it been adjusted by a third party since its purchase? The reason for this question is that not all lasers and laser software used for LASIK are approved by the FDA - and, some aren't FDA-approved for certain procedures.
Since safety is the most important concern, it's important the laser has been purchased in the United States and hasn't been adjusted by third parties since its purchase.
In some circumstances, surgeons can use FDA-approved tools beyond FDA approved parameters, which is called "off-label" use.
If applicable to your doctor, this should be discussed before your procedure.
What is your success rate? How many patients have complications after six months? Ask your surgeon how many of his or her patients have achieved at least 20/40 vision, as well as 20/20 vision or better.
According to the Quality Standards Advisory Committee, patients in the United States have experienced a 90% success rate for 20/40 vision and 65% for 20/20 vision.
If your surgeon gives you a nearly flawless record, ask for evidence to back it up - no doctor or surgical procedure is perfect.
The same question should be asked down the road.
Ask how many of his or patients experienced complications that are unresolved after six months.
The most common complications at this point are starbursts, dry eyes, and halos.
According to the QSAC, this number should be less than 3 percent.
What are your qualifications? When discussing something as important as your eyesight, this isn't an uncommon question.
Much of your surgery's success relies on finding an experienced doctor that you're comfortable with.
A well-practiced surgeon has usually been doing laser eye surgery for at least three years.
You should also ask which refractive procedures are the most common and how often they're performed.
A qualified doctor should have at least 500 under their belt over the last few years.
Asking the above questions during your initial LASIK consultation will help save you valuable time - and most importantly, make your surgery worry-free.
If you're considering laser vision correction, it's essential you do your research to learn the risks and complications associated with it.
You should also find a surgeon you're comfortable with, and most importantly, ensure you're making a decision that's right for you.
Thousands of people undergo LASIK each year with very good results.
The procedure is known to be quick and painless, and many people show improved vision just a few days after their surgery.
If you're considering it as an option, your first step is to meet with a doctor who will determine if you're a candidate for LASIK.
This appointment is also your chance to ask them questions about their practice, the procedure, and the possible risk factors.
Here are a few of the most important you can ask to help ensure your procedure goes smoothly: Is LASIK right for me? Before recommending LASIK, the doctor will do a consultation and eye exam, then provide his or her professional opinion.
At this point, you should discuss your medical history and confirm that you haven't experienced fluctuations in your vision over the last year.
After reviewing this information, your doctor will be able to determine if the procedure is right for you.
What is the recovery time for a LASIK procedure? What should I expect my vision to be like for the weeks following my surgery? Many patients experience improved vision just a day or two after their procedure and can soon resume their normal daily activities.
However, if you're an individual with a higher prescription, you may need more time to recover.
The speed of healing also depends on your body's healing patterns.
For the weeks following the procedure, it's not unlikely for patients to experience minor side effects including regression, minor halos, minor starbursting, and similar effects.
Your doctor should explain this to you so you're informed of all possible scenarios.
He or she should also let you know how to best care for your eyes after the surgery, which may include things like protective eyewear, prescription drops, and plenty of rest.
What are the potential risks associated with LASIK? Although complications are rare, they can occur.
The most common are eye dryness, complications in closing the surgical flap, under- or over-correction, and night glare.
Being diligent with your post-operative care can also help heal any complications.
All experienced and respected doctors will discuss these with you in your initial consultation.
And remember, if you don't feel like your question is being answered, don't feel guilty asking again.
It's important that you're 100% comfortable with the procedure and the surgeon.
What are my options for paying for the surgery? Unfortunately, many insurance plans don't cover LASIK.
The cost can range widely from one provider to the next, and can depend on several factors, including the use of new technologies, the use of bladeless LASIK, and more.
And, the cost of LASIK is usually quoted per eye, even if you get both done on the same day.
A procedure can cost anywhere from $1,000 - $2,000 per eye.
Plan to save at least that much, or be prepared to look at other financing options.
Each office will have their own set of payment options, which may include a plan with a special finance rate through the LASIK company or the surgeon's office.
Another option your surgeon may mention is a Flexible Spending Account, or FSA.
With an FSA, you use pre-tax income to pay for your medical costs - you're essentially creating an interest-free financing program for yourself.
Aside from these questions, there are a few tougher ones to ask as well.
Although they may be uncomfortable to discuss, it will be worth it in the long run.
The success of your procedure depends on how experienced your doctor is, the type of laser used, and more.
Asking the following questions will help ensure that's the case: Is your laser FDA approved? Has it been adjusted by a third party since its purchase? The reason for this question is that not all lasers and laser software used for LASIK are approved by the FDA - and, some aren't FDA-approved for certain procedures.
Since safety is the most important concern, it's important the laser has been purchased in the United States and hasn't been adjusted by third parties since its purchase.
In some circumstances, surgeons can use FDA-approved tools beyond FDA approved parameters, which is called "off-label" use.
If applicable to your doctor, this should be discussed before your procedure.
What is your success rate? How many patients have complications after six months? Ask your surgeon how many of his or her patients have achieved at least 20/40 vision, as well as 20/20 vision or better.
According to the Quality Standards Advisory Committee, patients in the United States have experienced a 90% success rate for 20/40 vision and 65% for 20/20 vision.
If your surgeon gives you a nearly flawless record, ask for evidence to back it up - no doctor or surgical procedure is perfect.
The same question should be asked down the road.
Ask how many of his or patients experienced complications that are unresolved after six months.
The most common complications at this point are starbursts, dry eyes, and halos.
According to the QSAC, this number should be less than 3 percent.
What are your qualifications? When discussing something as important as your eyesight, this isn't an uncommon question.
Much of your surgery's success relies on finding an experienced doctor that you're comfortable with.
A well-practiced surgeon has usually been doing laser eye surgery for at least three years.
You should also ask which refractive procedures are the most common and how often they're performed.
A qualified doctor should have at least 500 under their belt over the last few years.
Asking the above questions during your initial LASIK consultation will help save you valuable time - and most importantly, make your surgery worry-free.
Source...