Ready To Lose Your Glasses? Ten Tips To Choosing A LASIK or Laser Vision Correction Center

The world of ophthalmology is one of the fastest evolving fields of medicine. Never before have so many new techniques and scientific breakthroughs emerged in such a short period of time. LASIK surgery, which uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, offers millions of people the opportunity to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contacts.

Television and radio ads are filled with amazing stories about LASIK surgery as the fast and painless way to correct vision, but stories are also appearing about people for whom it was less than successful. Before you opt to go under the beam, what can you do to help ensure that you will be happy with your results?

The key to safe surgery in any field of medicine is an informed patient. Take a little time and research the LASIK center you are considering for laser eye surgery. Dr. Robert K. Maloney, voted by his peers as one of America’s Top Ten vision correction surgeons in a national survey by Ophthalmology Times, offers the following guidelines to quality care and treatment.

1. Find a doctor by getting referrals from other doctors or from patients who have had LASIK or laser vision correction.

2. Don't be fooled by fancy advertisements about a particular laser center. Choose the doctor, not the laser center. Find out who will actually do your procedure, then ask about that doctor’s qualifications (e.g., board certification, special training).

3. Choose a doctor who has done at least 5,000 LASIK or eye laser surgeries. What a doctor doesn’t know can hurt you.

4. Ask for information on your doctor’s LASIK eye surgery complication rates. If your doctor won’t tell you, find another one. For top surgeons, the figure is under 3 in 1,000.

5. Ask what measures are taken to prevent infection. Look for a center with a sterile or dust-free operating room. Make sure that disposable parts are not reused. Insist that your eye be thoroughly sterilized, and insist that the surgical instruments be sterilized before your eye laser surgery to eliminate the risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis.

6. Beware of advertisements pushing “low cost” LASIK surgery. Discount surgery is as good as a discount parachute. The potential savings are not worth the risk of receiving less than expert care!

7. Expect to see very well after LASIK, but don't expect to see perfectly. Each patient gets a slightly different result. The best surgeon in the world can’t guarantee 20/20 vision. As with any eye laser surgery, results are as individual as each patient. Beware of any doctor who promises 20/20 vision.

8. If you feel like you're getting a hard sell, you probably are. Go elsewhere. You're not buying a car; this is real LASIK eye surgery.

9. If your level of nearsightedness is more than -11 or so, implantable lenses will probably offer better vision than LASIK. Consider waiting until the new lenses are available. Ask your doctor about them and other recent advances.

10. While you investigate, don't lose sight of the benefits: for most people a lifetime of bad vision can be cured in 5 minutes. LASIK eye surgery has improved the eyesight of millions of people around the world.

# # #

About The Author

Robert K. Maloney

Dr. Maloney is director of the Maloney Vision Institute, located at 10921 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, California 90024, 1-877-EYESIGHT. For more information about LASIK surgery, visit www.maloneyvision.com.

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Lasik... What are Prescription Eyeglasses made of Prescription eyeglasses are manufactured in a variety of materials. The most basic is the glass lens. The glass lens is by far the best in absorbing ultraviolet light. It comes in several different colors and is, of course, scratch resistant. It is also one of the least expensive. The downfall to the glass lens is the weight of a pair of prescription eyeglasses made of glass. They are also very breakable and have to undergo a heat-treated process to ensure durability. Another material used to manufacture prescription eyeglasses is the High-Index plastic lens. It also absorbs ultra violet light well. This type of lens is much lighter in weight than the glass lens; however, they are also very expensive and can be scratched very easily. Resin Plastic is another type of material used in manufacturing the prescription eyeglass lens. They are the lightest of all lenses, but do not offer the high level of protection against ultra violet light that the other lenses offer. Some prescription...

Lasik, Lasik Eye Surgery News

Icon LASIK Announces Sunglass Trunk Shows at Its Cherry Creek Eye Care Center DENVER, CO-- - ICON LASIK announces several eye wear and sunglasses Trunk Shows in Denver during early 2012. The Trunk Shows feature major sunglass designers including Fendi sunglasses, Roberto Cavalli ... Avedro Announces Canadian Approval for Lasik Xtra™ Avedro, Inc. announced today that the Company’s proprietary Lasik Xtra procedure has received Canadian Approval. Lasik Xtra is a two minute procedure used in conjunction with standard Lasik to restore biomechanical integrity and strength to the cornea after a standard Lasik procedure. Free LASIK for Your Valentine, a Gift from Khanna Vision Institute If one does LASIK eye procedure with Dr. Khanna either in Beverly Hills or Westlake Village, their valentine will get a gift card for free LASIK of equal value, which can be used anytime, or can be donated to charity.Beverly Hills, California (PRWEB) February 08, 2012 Valentine's Day is a very important day to express love and appreciation for one’s beloved. Vision is equally important. ... Lasik surgery improves vision for almost everyone DEAR DOCTOR K: I’ve worn glasses and contact lenses for years. I just scheduled LASIK surgery. What will happen during this procedure?