Choosing your LASIK Doctor

San Francisco, Bay Area, and San Jose, California

While choosing a LASIK doctor is not as difficult or overwhelming as finding the right doctor for other types of surgery, it is still a very important part of the process. The skill and experience of your LASIK surgeon can greatly impact the success of your procedure. Therefore, it is crucial that you work with the best surgeon available.

There are a variety of criteria which you should evaluate when choosing a LASIK doctor. Make sure to take the time to conduct a thorough search. The results of your procedure are irreversible, so it is important to choose wisely.

Credentials

It is important to carefully research the qualifications and abilities of your potential LASIK surgeon. You will want to work with a surgeon who possesses a great deal of experience performing your exact procedure on patients with your exact type of refractive error.

The following credentials can generally give you a good indication that a surgeon possesses the proper qualifications:

• Licensing – State licensing boards can validate a LASIK doctor’s credentials. Basic licensure is the bare minimum you want to look for; however, it is a good idea to find a surgeon who has gone substantially beyond the minimum requirements for licensure.
  
  
• Board certification – You should always work with a board certified LASIK surgeon. In order to obtain board certification, a surgeon must undergo extensive training in his area of specialization and pass rigorous examinations demonstrating superior skill and experience. When searching for a surgeon, make sure he has been certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
  
  
• Professional memberships/affiliations – Professional memberships and affiliations with certain highly regarded professional organizations can lend credibility to a surgeon’s credentials. Besides certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology, it is a good idea to look for a doctor affiliated with the American College of Surgeons (ACS), an organization which upholds ethical standards of conduct for all of its members. You must be board certified to become a member of the ACS.

Referrals

Referrals are a great way to start your search for a LASIK surgeon. Personal recommendations and first-hand accounts of a surgeon’s work can provide you with significant insight about what to expect when working with him. Your regular eye care practitioner can generally recommend a highly skilled and experienced surgeon.

You may also want to talk with any friends and family members who have undergone LASIK. Ask them about their experience, regarding both the surgeon they worked with and the surgical procedure in general. This will help focus your search as you begin talking with potential surgeons.

Questions to Ask Your LASIK Surgeon

Come to your initial consultation prepared to ask your potential surgeon several questions about his skills, background, and ability. Some important questions to ask include:

• How many procedures have you performed? (You will want to focus this question to address the exact procedure you will undergo)
• What is your complication rate, and how does it compare with national averages?
• If a LASIK complication occurs, what is your policy regarding follow-up procedures?
• Do you charge extra if an enhancement is required?
• What kind of LASIK technology do you use for your procedures? (You will want to find a surgeon who uses the latest and most advanced technology)
• Have you ever faced a medical malpractice claim? If so, how was it resolved?

Remember, you must be comfortable with the answers you receive to these questions. If you feel uneasy in any way after your consultation, continue searching.

Please contact our San Francisco LASIK surgeon today to schedule your free initial consultation. Dr. Kawesch serves patients in the San Francisco, Bay Area, and San Jose, California areas.

1.800.725.0740