Eight Ideas to Find a Laser Eye Doctor Near You
Select a laser eye surgeon with care
A LASIK procedure can greatly improve your eyesight by treating astigmatism or nearsightedness. However, it’s vital to choose the right doctor before scheduling laser eye surgery. This important decision may affect your treatment’s cost, convenience and likelihood of success.
Getting Started
1. First, you’ll need to find one or more suitable doctors in the region. If you already go to an ophthalmologist or optometrist to get your eyes examined, ask this person for a recommendation. Request a referral to an eye surgeon with reasonable prices and an excellent reputation.
2. You may also seek a local laser eye doctor by browsing the Yellow Pages, searching for surgeons’ websites or using internet directories. The American Academy of Ophthalmology maintains an online directory that can help you find legitimate professionals.
3. When you compare surgeons, look for doctors with board certifications. Multiple organizations have the ability to certify these physicians. For instance, the American Board of Ophthalmology certifies doctors who undergo comprehensive education and training. It requires them to keep learning about eye care after graduating from college.
4. Although you may discover appealing surgeons in other states, you should try to select a nearby physician. This treatment occasionally leads to complications that call for additional visits. If you choose a local surgeon, you won’t need to miss many hours of work or incur high travel expenses.
5. Some people look for doctors who possess the right equipment and expertise to perform the LASIK procedure without using a blade. Although both options generally work well, LASIK.com reports that bladeless laser surgery enhances safety and may improve the results.
Asking Questions
6. When you locate a desirable surgeon, the next step is to schedule a consultation. Remember to start making observations as soon as you enter the building to try to gauge the effectiveness of the eye surgeon and his staff. It’s best to undergo surgery in a clean, well-organized facility with friendly employees who behave professionally.
7. Don’t hesitate to inquire about a doctor’s track record. Discover the total number of surgeries that a physician has performed. Ask for his or her complication rate, and learn about the office’s policy on addressing complications.
8. Laser surgeries sometimes call for follow-up procedures known as “enhancements.” This service rarely proves necessary, but you might need it if you experience changes in eyesight or the initial treatment delivers inadequate results. Ask about enhancement fees and the deadline for requesting any complimentary adjustments.
Further Research
Rather than solely relying on the doctor’s answers, make an effort to conduct your own research. Compare a physician’s complication rate to the current nationwide average of less than 1%. Read reviews from patients, visit the Better Business Bureau’s website and talk to relatives or friends.
If you need to undergo laser eye surgery in western Massachusetts, be sure to consider John Frangie, M.D. He has over 24 years of experience as an ophthalmologist. Frangie worked at Boston City Hospital before founding the Northeast Laser Center. Please contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about our bladeless LASIK treatments.