Board Certification
Always look for a board-certified physician. This is the medical profession's generally accepted form of accreditation. This information can be obtained from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Board of Ophthalmology, or the American Medical Association (AMA).
Additional Certification
Completion of additional training following ophthalmology residency adds credence to a surgeon's dedication to his or her profession but by itself is not an absolute in determining surgical competency. Some of the finest LASIK surgeons today began their practice before fellowship training in laser correction surgery was available. Among surgeons who do undertake additional training, some receive further certification by the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Likewise, participation in research activities, lecturing, and writing professional articles and books also indicate a certain level of respect by the surgeon's peers.
FDA Clinical Trial Participation
Some ophthalmologists are invited to participate as principal investigators for FDA clinical trials sanctioned by laser manufacturers. Typically, these principal investigators are selected because of their demonstrated skill and ability, and their complete understanding of laser vision correction and the laser being used.
Malpractice Suits
Check with your state medical board to see if the surgeon has had multiple malpractice suits against him or her. Even the best doctor may have had a lawsuit for medical malpractice. A good rule of thumb is to check for more than one malpractice suit for every year or two of practice. Multiple lawsuits require an explanation.
Experience with the Procedure
When a physician earns a general medical degree, he or she may practice any specialty that he or she wishes. But not all doctors share the same degree of training and experience in that field. Hence, it is important to be careful when choosing a LASIK surgeon. Here are some things you should know and look for when deciding upon a LASIK surgeon.
Numerous studies have shown that surgeons experience a learning curve with the LASIK procedure. It has been shown that surgeons who have performed over 300 procedures have a lower complication rate than those who have performed fewer. Moreover, it generally takes approximately 200 to 500 LASIK procedures before a LASIK surgeon's nomogram is reasonably well developed. The nomogram defines the formula that the surgeon enters into the excimer laser's computer for performing your procedure. It is based on a series of measurements performed at the time of the preoperative exam and includes factors such as degree of refractive error and age, as well as on the surgeon's technique and the laser used. A well-developed nomogram allows the surgeon to more accurately program the laser for each patient, decreasing the probability that an enhancement procedure will be necessary. You need to be aware, however, that even in the best hands, enhancement procedures are necessary five to ten percent of the time because different people respond differently to the laser.
In the process of performing these procedures, the surgeon should make every effort to meet or exceed benchmark standards in order to achieve good outcomes. By constantly analyzing surgical outcomes, the better surgeons find that the consistency of their results improve, even beyond the initial 1,000 procedures.
Find out how much experience the surgeon has with your procedure--the more the better. Time and experience have shown that surgeons who concentrate on LASIK eye surgery and who do a lot of it, as well as intraocular refractive procedures, are better at it.
Benchmarking
As a potential patient, you should ask your LASIK surgeon how he or she tracks LASIK procedure outcomes. The surgeonāÄôs response can tell you a great deal. If the surgeon has numbers readily available--charts and graphs or can quote specific outcomes--the likelihood is high that the surgeon is benchmarking (tracking LASIK outcomes). In addition, if the surgeon presents his or her data at well-respected national or international conferences to other surgeons, or publishes in professional journals, you can be confident that he or she is benchmarking.
Unless a surgeon is participating in sanctioned clinical trials, there is no mandatory central reporting database for benchmarking. The important thing is to determine if the surgeon is benchmarking and not worry too much about any one specific number. The fact that the surgeon is tracking LASIK outcomes shows his or her concern for achieving the best possible results. Your goal is to find someone for whom achieving excellence is a paramount concern.
Success and Complication Rates
Next, ask the surgeons how long they have been performing LASIK and about their success and complication rates. Your surgeon should discuss the potential success rate for your individual surgery as well as any potential complications. Surgical success means more than knowing how to avoid complications; it means knowing how to handle difficult situations before they arise. Identifying problems early and dealing with them in a timely manner is the hallmark of excellent surgeons. All surgeons have complications, but having a complication does not mean that anything was done improperly. What is important is that the surgeon have a low complication rate and that the ultimate visual outcomes are good.
It is also important to know about their experience with refractive errors similar to your own. The surgeons should have adequate experience with people of the same age, gender, and race as you because the surgical techniques needed to correct refractive errors in these groups may differ slightly from the norm.
Awareness of New Developments
Most doctors keep up with the latest developments by reading or attending conferences. Some doctors take this a step further and immerse themselves in a life style of innovation by lecturing at major conferences, writing journal articles and textbooks, participating in clinical trials for new technology, and consulting for ophthalmology companies.
Ask the doctors you talk to if they know what is being achieved, both nationally and internationally, in their field. Or contact one of the major ophthalmologic societies directly with the same question.
Personal Compatibility
Remember, personal chemistry is extremely important. Choose a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable; someone who is easy to talk to, friendly, and professional; someone who listens closely to what you want and cares about what you need. Make sure he or she is willing to take the time necessary for your understanding of the procedure. A good doctor-patient relationship is important in helping devise a treatment plan that best suits your needs.
The art of medicine entails blending the science of medicine with the needs and expectations of the individual patient. Many excellent LASIK surgeons and LASIK centers offer educational seminars or consultations that give you an opportunity to assess the quality and excellence levels of the person to whom you are entrusting your eyes.
Competent, Compassionate Staff
Verify that the laser center is staffed with highly trained, competent people. Determine for yourself whether the LASIK surgeon has a kind, compassionate staff to help support you emotionally throughout the LASIK process.
Care Provider and Style of Care
Determine what part the LASIK surgeon plays in your preoperative and postoperative care. Avoid the "shopping mall" approach to surgery where patients are shuffled through the surgical suite without having first met with the surgeon. Most doctors employ a knowledgeable staff to help perform tests and answer questions. However, the final decision to have surgery must rely on informed consent, something only possible through discussion with the surgeon.
Some patients choose to see their family optometrist or ophthalmologist for their preoperative and/or postoperative care. Be sure the person doing your postoperative care is well trained for this task. The majority of patients have an uncomplicated postoperative course. However, you want your provider to be skilled enough to recognize complications and provide or refer you for treatment before any long-term complication arises.
Practice Style of Care
- The following questions may help you determine which practice care style works best for you:
- Will the surgeon evaluate and speak with you prior to surgery?
- Who will be your main contact at the office?
- Who will perform the preprocedural exams?
- Who will perform the follow-up exams?
- What are the qualifications of the person providing the follow-up care?
The intent of these questions is to help you find a practice whose approach best fits your needs.
Find a Qualified Surgeon
Find an experienced LASIK surgeon who will make the commitment to you to take full responsibility for your LASIK result, who will meet you prior to surgery, and who will be actively involved in every aspect of your LASIK procedure.
Be sure you know who is actually doing the procedure. Ask who will be doing your follow-up. Ask about their qualifications. Find out how many procedures he or she has done. While higher volume does not necessarily imply a better surgeon, you will want someone who has done at least 300 to 500 surgeries. Ask what his or her success rate is for 20/25 vision or better. What is his or her loss rate of best-corrected vision?
Remember, when evaluating the criteria that you feel a LASIK surgeon should meet, take time to listen to your feelings. This is one sure way to feel comfortable with the surgeon you finally select. At any point in the decision-making process, should you have doubts about the surgeon or his or her medical opinion, go elsewhere and obtain a second opinion.
Ask How Many LASIK Procedures the Surgeon Has Performed
It is important to be specific with regard to LASIK since many surgeons have performed other laser procedures that require different skills than those required for LASIK. Just because the surgeon has done thousands of retinal or glaucoma procedures does not mean that he or she has done many LASIK procedures.
Does the Surgeon Maintain a Database of Procedures?
This database will allow the surgeon to provide you with statistics regarding his or her results. Specifically, the surgeon will be able to provide you with a reasonable prediction of what your result will be (based on your preoperative refraction) and the likelihood of needing an enhancement procedure to fine tune your result.
Choose the Right Surgeon and Pay What It Costs
Discount surgery is as good as a discount parachute. Many advertisements push low-cost surgery. This is an important warning signal to proceed with caution. Go for the best qualified surgeon.
