Providence Eye & Laser Specialists sat down with Founder and LASIK eye surgeon Dr. Mozayeni to discuss how LASIK eye surgery is both art and science.
Dr. Mozayeni: I don’t think there is just one factor to be considered. There are three factors that I believe contribute to optimal results. They are: surgeon expertise, technology and patient care.
Dr. Mozayeni: It is truly amazing how far LASIK technology has come! When I started doing vision correction surgery in 1995, I was using a blade to cut the cornea. When I opened Providence Eye in 2003, I was committed to having state-of-the-art technology, which is why I invested in the Intralase and was the first cornea specialist to offer it in the region. In 2011, just 8 years later, I reinvested and replaced the Intralase with the WaveLight FS200, which is faster, more accurate, and more comfortable for the patient than the Intralase. We believe utilizing the best, most proven LASIK technology reflects our dedication to providing outstanding results and patient care.
Dr. Mozayeni: LASIK technology can never replace quality work by a human being. The phrase “garbage in, garbage out” applies to the basic calculator and all the way up to the lasers used today in LASIK eye surgery procedures. We spend a great deal of time collecting data about a patient’s eyes, corneas & vision. To prepare for surgery, we research and examine every individual’s patient data and perform regression analysis with this data. This analysis that we do for every patient enables myself and Dr. Nunnery to provide predictable optimal results. In addition to analyzing the data and programming the data into the laser for each and every patient, the laser must be calibrated every time it is used. This step is mission-critical and should never be a concern to the patient. Our ophthalmic laser technicians, who calibrate the laser, are people that have the same standards, morals & attention to detail that Dr. Nunnery and I have, which gives us the trust and confidence we need every time we sit down at that laser.
Dr. Mozayeni: I put an enormous amount of time into researching lasers, observing their execution & analyzing their results both online and in other surgeon’s offices before making my final decision. I am extremely pleased that I selected the WaveLight FS200 and the WaveLight EX500 Lasers. [Updated October 2014] I made this selection for multiple reasons:
They measure temperature & humidity in the laser suite before every LASIK eye surgery. A patient should never have to know or worry about this, but they are very important factors for optimal laser performance.
Dr. Mozayeni: Honestly, I would tell them to look for exactly what we provide. We treat every patient as if they are a member of our family. That starts with the initial phone call, all the way to medical/surgical recommendations, to easing fear and nerves. I would tell my family to always do their research.
1. Look for a surgeon who specializes in LASIK. This does not have to be the biggest or busiest guy in town.
2. Look at what kind of LASIK technology is being used. In this day in age, at a minimum, it should be all laser. Blade LASIK is really archaic at this point in time. If the lasers have been FDA-approved in the past several years, then that is a good sign. The follow-up question concerns how long the LASIK eye surgeon has been using the technology. And finally, make sure your procedure will be performed with that specific technology. Some LASIK practices have more than one technology, and they may boast about one, but come to find out, your procedure would be performed using something different.
3. Visit the practice(s) you are considering. This is your chance to “interview” the practice and the LASIK eye surgeon to see if they provide the level of care you are looking for. For example, Dr. Nunnery and I meet with every single patient who comes to our office for a LASIK consultation. We examine them, give them our recommendation (about 20% of the time that recommendation is to not have LASIK), explain our recommendation, and answer any and all questions they have. There are many LASIK practices where you never meet the surgeon during your consultation. Some practices even fly their independent surgeon into town on the day of surgery only.
If you have been thinking about LASIK and you are wondering if you are a good candidate for LASIK call Providence Eye & Laser Specialists to schedule your complimentary consultation..
