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Article DetailsHow to Choose a Doctor for LASIK Eye Surgery |
LASIK surgery is a popular choice for vision correction these days. With such a high demand for LASIK, many ophthalmologists choose to specialize in this type of surgery. As you sort through the many qualified doctors offering LASIK, understanding how to choose a doctor for LASIK eye surgery can help ensure you receive the best eye care possible. The main things you should consider when comparing LASIK eye surgeons are their credentials, experience, cost and location. The LASIK procedure is a type of surgery, which means it requires a medical doctor to perform (see What is LASIK Eye Surgery?). Ophthalmologists are the only type of eye care professional licensed to perform LASIK because they possess a medical degree (see Ophthalmologists vs. Optometrists). Education Ophthalmologists, or Eye MDs, have completed four years of medical school, one year of internship and three years of residency (hospital-based training). Physicians then have an option to specialize further in a particular disease state (glaucoma), patient-type (pediatrics) or part of the eye (retina). An Eye MD with this specialized training is called a subspecialist. Ophthalmologists are not required to be subspecialists to perform LASIK. Board Certification Board Certification is not a requirement of becoming an Eye MD. A physician who is Board certified must pass a rigorous two part exam given by the American Board of Ophthalmology. This exam tests a doctor’s experience, training, and knowledge. Board certified ophthalmologists have taken an extra step with their degrees to give more credibility to their skills as a medical professional. Licensure Eye MDs must be licensed by the state regulatory board. The license enables them to practice medicine within a particular state. Experience Knowing a physician’s experience is another factor concerning how to choose a doctor for LASIK eye surgery. Learning his or her expertise will give you a peace of mind that you are in good hands. There are a few ways to find a doctor’s level of experience.
Cost One of LASIK eye surgery’s biggest hurdles is cost. As the procedure is not normally covered by insurance, finding a LASIK eye surgeon within your budget can be a significant factor. The cost for LASIK eye surgery varies and usually depends upon the type of LASIK equipment your doctor is using. LASIK is usually priced per eye since each eye is a separate procedure. Prices range from $399 to $3,800 per eye with the lower-end pricing usually requiring additional fees at the time of surgery. This price range includes both traditional LASIK and the newer wavefront LASIK technology. Traditional LASIK uses the prescription in your eyeglasses as the basis to correct vision. Wavefront LASIK technology provides a custom computerized “fingerprint” of each eye which guides the laser to correct the tiniest of eye imperfections (see What is Custom Wavefront LASIK Eye Surgery?). Since wavefront LASIK is more precise, it is a more expensive procedure, ranging from $2,000 - $3,500 per eye. |