Remember, your biggest risk is choosing an inexperienced physician offering lower prices. To help you make an educated decision about LASIK, the following steps should be taken:
1.) Always choose a physician who has performed LASIK thousands of times. Experience and skill are the key to a successful procedure, not the technology.
2.) Ask your physician why he/she is better than any other doctor at LASIK and why you should choose him or her.
3.) Always expect a thorough eye exam that will take 1-2 hours with consultation. If your eye exam is less than thorough, be aware that your LASIK results may be compromised. Finding the correct prescription for you and examining the health and structure of your eyes are imperative steps for successful LASIK results.
4.) Ask the physician for outcomes with previous patients who had similar prescription and eye conditions. Ask for permission to call these patients to help you better understand your possible vision expectations.
5.) Ask the physician what steps will be taken if your outcome is less than what is expected. Don't ever feel you cannot go to another physician if your outcome is not satisfactory. More experienced physicians may be able to enhance your results more accurately. A high rate of enhancement (repeated procedure) shows the physician's initial results are not adequate. The national enhancement average is between 10 and 12%. Ask physicians their rate of enhancement or additional procedures to find out their accuracy in LASIK.
6.) Know your physician's credentials, LASIK experience and most importantly, LASIK results. Choose physicians with proven LASIK techniques. All physicians should be able to substantiate their claims with patient records or reports. Find out how long the laser center has been in practice and how long the physician has been practicing there.
If you choose the right physician, you will experience LASIK results that far exceed your expectations. The technology is not the miracle, the surgeon's skill is. Each physician will have different LASIK results. When you choose wisely and focus on results, not price, you will see why so many of Dr. Weinstock's patients celebrate their new vision and new found freedom with exuberance.
When considering any medical procedure it is important to take into account any possible risks. There are also things the patient can do to minimize even the smallest of risks. They are:
- Choosing a qualified, experienced surgeon
- Making sure the facility uses the most up-to-date technology
- Informing your doctor of your health history and eye health history
- Following all pre-op and post-op instructions
- Maintaining open dialog with Dr. Weinstock throughout the entire process
Blindness
The Weinstock Laser Eye Center is not aware of any reported case of blindness as a result of the LASIK procedure. Millions of people in the United States have been treated with this procedure with highly successful outcomes.
Infections
The risks of infection from contact lenses is 1 in 500. Only 1 in 5000 LASIK patients run the risk of getting an infection following the procedure. One way for patients to further lessen the risk is to follow pre-operative and post-operative instructions carefully. Anti biotic eyedrops are used after the procedure to minimize this risk.
Flap Complications
Folds or irregular flaps are infrequent complications that can occur. The more experienced your surgeon, the less the likelihood of their occurrence. Should these develop they can be treated and usually delay your best visual outcome for a few weeks.
Light Sensitivity
Additional side effects are possible, but
usually disappear over time. Side effects may include:
