Why You Need Another LASIK Surgery Consultation

If you have been thinking about having LASIK and had a LASIK consultation but have not pulled the trigger yet on moving forward with the procedure, it may be for good reason. It could be your gut telling you that you are unsure about the practice or maybe all your questions have not been answered. Maybe you just do not have enough information yet to make the decision to have LASIK. In these situations, or even if you were told you were not an ideal candidate, having a second LASIK surgery consultation can help you feel confident in your decision and raise any red flags you did not pick up the first time around. Most importantly, good doctors highly suggest it, as it is always important to do your research and feel good about the LASIK surgery decision you make, as well as the LASIK surgeon you choose.

Here are a few of the reasons why you should have another LASIK surgery consultation:

1. Not All LASIK Practices Put the Patient First.

We want to stress the difference between a LASIK surgery consultation and a LASIK screening. If you did not meet your surgeon, were disappointed in the office atmosphere, or did not feel comfortable with the way you were treated, you might have experienced a LASIK screening and not a complete consultation, and you should continue your research and visit another practice before you make your decision. There are many things to keep a lookout for if you think you might have had a LASIK screening:

• You Didn’t Meet Your Surgeon: You’ll hear us say this a lot, but it is so important for you to meet the doctor that will be performing your LASIK procedure. Would you have any other procedure done without meeting the surgeon first?
• Your Appointment Was Less Than 1 hour: In order to be properly evaluated for LASIK surgery, your appointment should take 1.5 – 2 hours. It should include dilating your eyes, taking maps of your cornea, and several other tests to determine if you are an ideal candidate. Two hours may seem like a long time but you can expect a lot at Providence Eye during those 2 hours.

You and your doctor, the LASIK surgeon, should go over your vision needs, and what options are available for you, even if you may not be an ideal LASIK candidate. If any of these issues are present at your LASIK consultation, a second opinion is definitely worth the investment of your time.

2. Not All LASIK Consultations Are Equal.

There are a few things that MUST happen at every LASIK consultation:

• Your eyes should always be dilated.
• Your corneas should be mapped at the consultation.
• You should meet the surgeon who will be doing your LASIK surgery.
• You should get the chance to ask that surgeon all of your questions.

Without these elements included in the LASIK consultation, you will not have enough information to make a proper decision. Again, you should ensure that you are getting a full, evaluative LASIK consultation, rather than a simple and quick LASIK screening, and you should definitely get another opinion.

3. Not All LASIK Technology is State of the Art.

The type of laser DOES matter. First, it must be all-laser LASIK, which means two lasers are used and NO blades. If only one laser is used, then that is PRK or sometimes called no-flap LASIK. If you are not a LASIK candidate, then PRK may be the right solution for you. Certain lasers cannot treat a full range of prescriptions or astigmatism. Laser technology has changed and improved significantly in the LASIK industry over the past 10 years. However, it is up to the practice to invest financially and keep their technology up to date so that you are ensured the precise, predictable, fastest, and most comfortable procedure possible. If during your laser eye consultation, the practice does not educate you on the technology they will be using for your LASIK surgery, you need to consider visiting another LASIK practice that does.

4. Not All LASIK Surgeons Offer the Same Level of Expertise.

As surgeons complete more and more procedures throughout their careers, they become better at evaluating candidates properly during their LASIK surgery consult and better at achieving optimal results. Experience especially plays a role when performing laser vision correction on those who may have more challenging situations. Along with years of experience, you should consider a LASIK surgeon who consistently performs LASIK surgeries every week over one that only does LASIK as an add-on their eye care practice.

At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, our LASIK surgeons provide long-lasting, optimal results and are committed to giving you the personal care and attention you and your vision deserve. Our team is dedicated to giving you peace of mind that your eyes are in the best possible hands.