Questions to Ask LASIK Surgeons About Their Refractive Surgery Experience

 How long have you been conducting refractive surgery procedures?  (Please note his answer since LASIK surgery in particular has been around only for a few years.  Not more than 10 years.  But, in general, he or she must have performed refractive surgeries not less than three years.)

 How many total eye lasik procedures have you done?  (The answer must be not less than 500.)

How many refractive procedures of the exact type you intend to use for me, with the same equipment, and the same refractive error, have you performed?

What percent of your refractive surgery patients receive Snellen Uncorrected Visual Acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better?  (Most of the experts suggest that you should be suspicious of any number that is greater than 90 percent, which is the norm.)

What percentage of your patients attained 20/20 vision or better?  (Note that the norm here is around 50 percent.  So, ask for a proof if a higher number is stated.)

What percent of your refractive surgery patient report unresolved complications six months after the surgery?  This includes objective and subjective complications like starburst, halos, glare, dry eye syndrome, and others.  (Note that less than 3 percent is the norm according to the Quality Standards Advisory Committee (QSAC).  So, if the surgeon gives a lower number, ask for proof.  Zero or a nebulous “almost never” should be cause for concern.  Remember that no surgeon is perfect, thus no surgical procedure is perfect.)

Will you give me the names and contact information of at least ten previous patients who have had the exact same refractive procedure with the same refractive error? (See if he or she can provide you the names.)

Have you ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?

Have you had your license to conduct a refractive surgery revoked, restricted or suspended?

Is the laser and equipment you will use specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the recommended procedure and intended parameters?  If no, explain why it is not FDA approved or off label use.

If an enhancement surgery is required, what will you charge for the additional procedure?  (The answer for this question should be no charge for an enhancement within a specified period of time, usually about a year after surgery.  However, if there is a charge, just consider the affordability if needed.)

All of the recommended questions above are tough questions that some may consider difficult or even rude to ask.  So, don’t expect that your prospective surgeon will respond with the suggested answers.  Also use your common sense.  Ask those questions to measure the doctor’s willingness to respond as much as the response.  Always remember that your precious vision depends on your surgeon’s competency.  Therefore, you need to be confident that you have chosen the right person.  If you are not happy with the answers to your questions, continue your search and consult another eye surgeon.

In addition to the above mentioned concerns, you as a patient should also consider the surgeon’s competency as well as versatility in a number of refractive procedures. 

Note that the commonly performed LASIK eye surgery is not the only game in town and is not the best procedure for every person.   So choose an eye surgeon who is comfortable and experienced with several other procedures, like PRK, LASIK, CK and clean lens replacement, including some of the latest technologies.    

If you find out that your prospective doctor is knowledgeable enough about these procedures inside and out, then he’ll no doubt be confident enough to choose the course of action that will best solve your vision problems. 

And if you’re considering a surgeon who doesn’t perform a particular procedure that you are interested in, he or she should be able to explain why not beyond saying “I don’t do that.”

Get a second opinion before you have your LASIK surgery

Perhaps one important thing to note after a consultation is never to feel that you are obligated to use that eye surgeon.  As a patient, you must know that you are completely free to talk to other surgeons as well.  Also, don’t feel that you are offending anyone.   In the medical field, it has long been a practice to seek a second opinion.  In fact, most doctors urge their patients to do so.

Build rapport

As with any relationship, there has to be trust in your relationship with your doctor.  You must feel that you trust the person and that he or she is personally interested in you.    If you fail to develop that sort of chemistry with your eye surgeon but everything goes well, there’s a possibility that you won’t have to see that person too often, and that’s simply the end of it.  But, if you developed that rapport and for any reason you are not satisfied with the quality of the outcome, you want to know that you have someone who is personally connected to you and is working hard to address your medical needs.  

So if you’re seriously considering eye lasik or any other refractive procedures, you need first to know your doctor.  Consider the person’s qualifications and experience in the field of refractive surgery.  The surgeon is even more important than the medical devices used. No amount of technology can compensate for an inferior surgeon.