What Questions Should I Ask At A LASIK Consultation?

Decided that you want to undergo LASIK? Before you can have the procedure, you’ll have to have a LASIK consultation. That’s the only way to know if you’re a good candidate!

It’s a good idea to come with a list of questions to ask during your LASIK consultation. Keep reading for a few recommended ones while you prepare!

How long have you been a LASIK surgeon?

When it comes to choosing a LASIK surgeon, make sure you pick one with enough experience. What does that mean?

At the absolute least, they should have been performing LASIK for three years. We’re talking about your eyes here, so you need to find someone with enough experience. Three years means they should be comfortable with the procedure.

How many LASIK surgeries have you performed?

Your LASIK surgeon should have performed at least 500 laser eye surgeries. If you have a surgeon with less experience, they may make rookie mistakes on your eyes!

If you’re not comfortable with the answer, you can always choose another surgeon.

How many procedures have you performed on someone with the same refractive errors? Were you using the same equipment?

This number should be at least 100. It’s important to know what kind of technology your LASIK surgeon uses as well. LASIK is an ever-evolving procedure.

If you find that they are using blades as their technology of choice, run! LASIK is a bladeless procedure and has been for some time.

It’s important to know how long they have been using their technology to see if they are experienced. Even an experienced LASIK surgeon using new technology may be less familiar.

Again, if you’re uncomfortable, there are plenty of other LASIK surgeons out there.

What percentage of your LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision (or better)?

You’re looking for a LASIK surgeon who has about a 65 percent average for patients with 20/20 vision or better. No, you don’t want someone who has a 100% success rate, because it’s not realistic. If a number sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Do you decline any LASIK patients, and if so, can you tell me what the percentage is?

When it comes to an elective procedure like LASIK, you don’t want to have everyone as a candidate. There are some people that are not good LASIK candidates and shouldn’t get the procedure.

If you have a LASIK surgeon that doesn’t turn away patients, that’s a red flag. You want a LASIK surgeon that only performs LASIK on people that are candidates. Your LASIK surgeon may not have an exact number of people they turn away and that’s okay. It’s enough to know that they are turning away bad candidates.

If you find out you’re not a good LASIK candidate, there are alternative procedures as well. This includes PRK, which has almost identical results when compared to LASIK. PRK is often better for patients with thinner corneas, which makes LASIK unsafe.

Ready to find out if you’re a LASIK candidate? Schedule a free LASIK consultation at Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons in Chevy Chase, MD!