Here are a few suggestions for choosing a LASIK Surgeon from the Refractive Surgery Council:
- Be comfortable with your surgeon. He or she should answer all your questions thoroughly and thoughtfully. The point is to help you make an informed decision. The discussion should cover the risks and benefits of any laser vision correction procedure. LASIK is a safe and effective procedure, but it is surgery, and there are limits to what it can achieve. Beware of over promises on results or dismissals of potential risks.
- What is your surgeon’s experience? The more experience a surgeon has, the better. A qualified surgeon will welcome questions about his training and expertise. A highly experienced surgeon has often performed thousands of LASIK procedures.
- Are you a candidate? Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK – in fact, 15-25 percent of patients don’t meet the qualification standards. Patient selection is essential to a good outcome, so understanding your surgeon’s process is important. Certain medical issues, such as diabetes or thin or damaged corneas, may rule out LASIK as a good option for some people. However, there are other vision correction procedures, such as SMILE or PRK, that may be suitable for a given patient’s needs.
- Price shouldn’t be the priority. It’s natural to want to get a good deal, but this is an investment in the quality of vision and life – prioritize expertise and experience over price. A consultation shouldn’t feel like a sales process, you shouldn’t feel pressured to commit to the procedure right away. A LASIK consult should be a thorough evaluation of your eye health and vision to gather all the needed to make a solid recommendation about vision correction.
Leading LASIK Ophthalmologist, Neil B. Griffin, M.D, uses the most advanced vision diagnostics and latest laser technology for LASIK in the region. Dr. Griffin received his highly specialized fellowship in cornea and external disease from the University of Texas in Houston. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Griffin has been helping patients experience freedom from glasses and contacts for over 18 years. His center offers an on-site LASIK suite and provides LASIK screenings at no cost at the Griffin Eye Center, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina location. Appointments can be made at GriffinEyeCenter.com or by calling (843) 449-6414 ext.123.