Credentials

Physicians should be perfectly comfortable discussing their credentials. Questions to ask about credentials include:

1. How long have you been performing laser vision correction procedures?
   Answer: Dr. Concool has been performing laser vision correction procedures since its investigational status in the late 1980s. Even before its approval by the FDA in this country Dr. Concool was part of the initial group of surgeons who went to various European countries to study this technology.

2. How many laser refractive procedures have you performed?
   Answer: Dr. Concool has performed over 13,000 laser refractive procedures.

3. What results can someone with my vision problem realistically expect from laser vision correction?
   Answer: The results of laser vision correction can vary depending upon your initial prescription. This is why it is critical that you undergo a thorough consultation prior to making any decision regarding laser vision correction. The good news is that with the expansion of customized wavefront treatments more and more individuals are capable of achieving excellent visual outcomes. Perhaps what is most important is that you have a realistic expectation of what can be accomplished in your particular situation.

4. What are the overall safety and risks associated with laser eye surgery?
   Answer: This is a very important question to ask of anyone who might perform your laser vision procedure. For a full explanation please refer to:
   LASIK surgery side effects
   LASIK complications
   LASIK risks

Method of Practice

The outcome of laser eye surgery depends to a large degree on the skill of your LASIK surgeon and his or her level of experience with a particular procedure. How a surgeon handles his or her practice differs as well. Some questions to ask are:

• Does the laser have an FDA-approved tracking device?

• Do you offer customized vision correction, based on wavefront maps that identify higher and lower order aberrations in a patient's vision?

• How many patients do you treat each hour? (The answer will help you gauge how much time you'll spend with the doctor.)

• Does the center have more than 1 laser? Not all lasers are ideal for all patients.

Availability and Value

Before your surgery, you should know exactly what is included in the price. When planning your LASIK surgery, ask yourself:

• Will I be able to meet and interact with the LASIK surgeon until my key questions are answered?

• Do I have at least 1-year of follow-up visits included in the price? Follow-up visits are the doctor's chance to observe your progress.

• Does it include a Nationwide Lifetime Commitment program?

• Will I have a direct phone number of my surgeon on a 24/7 basis?

Laser System

You should also know which laser system the LASIK surgeon will use for your procedure. There really are significant differences in technology from one system to another. Make sure you understand why your surgeon's choice of technology matters. Here are some questions to consider:

• What brand of laser system will the surgeon use?

• Is the laser system capable of providing customized laser vision correction by correcting both higher and lower order aberrations in a patient's vision?

• What type of beam does the system use?

• Is the beam broad or small-spot?