Choosing a LASIK Doctor
Serving Baltimore, Lutherville and Towson, Maryland
If you have ever searched for a lost contact lens, hunted for misplaced glasses, or lamented about not being able to see when you swim, you’ve likely wondered whether refractive eye surgery would be an option for you. LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis, is an elective eye procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea. LASIK surgery is commonly desired by those people like you, who want to improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts.
Even though LASIK surgery is relatively common, it’s not without some risk. Familiarizing yourself with the procedure and then choosing a qualified and experienced LASIK doctor, like those at Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore and Lutherville, Maryland, will ultimately increase the odds of having a successful LASIK outcome.
Tips for Selecting a Good LASIK Surgeon
Scouring your daily newspaper for ads might be the best way to shop for a new car, but using that method to select a LASIK doctor would be unwise. Choosing a LASIK surgeon requires much more thought and scrutiny. Asking the right questions and obtaining testimonials from those who have previously had the surgery will be critical to your quest. Use the following checklist to evaluate doctors for your LASIK surgery:
- Laser vision correction should be a major part of the doctor’s practice
- The surgeon should be involved in all aspects of your care
- Risks and complications should be discussed and all questions answered to your satisfaction
- The surgeon should have a solid reputation for successful corrective eye surgery outcomes and extensive experience in the field of laser corrective surgery
Questions for Your Prospective LASIK Doctor
Once you’ve determined that you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends specific questions be asked to help determine the doctor’s qualifications and procedure expertise. Some of those questions include:
- How many eyes have you performed LASIK surgery on with the same laser?
- Do you use an FDA-approved laser for the procedure that I need?
- How many times do you use each microkeratome blade? The answer to this question should be once.
- If I should choose, will you be available as my ophthalmologist for years to come or, do you discharge me from your care following the post-operative period?
If you or a loved one is considering corrective eye surgery, then please contact the known leaders in LASIK vision correction in the Baltimore area. With two locations in the Baltimore area, we are able to serve Maryland residents in need of expert eye care.
