Check Your Eye Surgeon's Credentials Before Undergoing Lasik Eye Surgery

One of the most important things you can do when getting Lasik eye surgery is to check the credentials of the surgeon performing the operation. Lasik eye surgery uses lasers to repair corneas in your eyes. If you have myopia, which is nearsightedness, you may have needed glasses or contact lenses since you were a child.

Get some recommendations from your local chapter of the American Medical Association. The doctor who performs this operation should be a board certified ophthalmologist. There is a difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. The former is a medical doctor and goes to medical school while the other goes to optometry school. Both are good doctors, but are used for different purposes. You will want to use an ophthalmologist when getting lasik surgery as they are qualified.

In addition to recommendations by the AMA, you should also get some recommendations from friends or relatives who have had this surgery. They may be able to direct you to a doctor who can perform this surgery for you. You are better off to get a recommendation than getting a doctor out of the telephone book as at least one person can vouch for him.

Arrange for a consultation and ask the doctor questions. Make sure that you feel comfortable with the doctor and that he or she is not rushed. Remember that you are dealing with your eyes, here. This is not a subject matter that you want to take lightly. Although lasik eye surgery has been around for a while and is a relatively safe procedure, you still want to be sure that the doctor is well versed in this field of medicine.

Not everyone is a candidate for lasik eye surgery. Only your doctor can tell you for sure if you can benefit from this treatment. However, it is well worth the visit. In some cases, insurance companies that have vision coverage will pay for part of the cost of the operation in the hopes of staving off further eyeglass and contact lens costs. In most cases, however, you will have to pay for the operation yourself, which will be performed right in the office of the doctor.

Discuss price and do not hesitate to ask if he has payment plans. Many doctors will allow payment plans and others accept charge cards. Most doctors who perform this type of surgery, however, expect payment up front, or at least a signed contract to pay. Although money should not be the primary objective in finding the right doctor for the job, it should be considered when you have more than one choice.

Make sure that you feel comfortable with the doctor and that you trust him or her to work on your yes. Trust your instincts when it comes to the demeanor of the doctor, too. Once you feel comfortable with the doctor and have settled out payment, you are ready to take a step that will allow you to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses.

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