I’m Thinking About Laser Eye Surgery – Where Should I Go?
Laser Eye Surgery: It Might be a Great Option for You
So you’ve decided that you want laser eye surgery so you can toss your eyeglasses and contacts in the trash once and for all. Yet getting laser eye surgery is something most people are apprehensive about and a decision not to be taken lightly. The trick is to find a surgeon that you can trust with your precious eyes. Here are some of the steps you should take before committing to that kind of surgery.
Research laser eye surgery, surgeons and centres in advance
There is a lot of information available online that you can’t trust. In many cases, the information you’ll find was created to be purposely sensational for the purposes of getting attention, or it’s written by well-meaning people who lack the knowledge to inform you properly. Don’t fall victim to misinformation and propaganda. Here are some tips for finding information you can trust.
A great resource for considering the benefits and risks of laser eye surgery, see Health Canada’s website.
If you do any internet research, always go to the “About” page of the website you’re looking at to find out more about who is providing you with the information you’re reading. Do they have professional qualifications? Or are they just a regular person giving (potentially incorrect) opinions on the matter? Additionally, be aware that anyone can throw up a professional-looking website these days, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the information provided there is true, nor does it mean that they even are who they say they are on their “About” page.
To guard against the risks of coming across inaccurate information online, verify any information you found on the internet via an in-person visit with an experienced eye care professional who is properly educated on the topic.
Who should you go to for advice
An experienced optometrist is a great person to discuss options with. Due to their education and experience surrounding the provision of pre- and post- laser eye surgery care, they’ve seen enough to know which eye surgeons in your area can be trusted with your eyes and have the qualifications to do a good job. Also, because they don’t perform the surgery themselves, you’ll never have to worry that they might have a financial incentive to advise you for, or against surgery – you’ll know that they will have your best interests at heart.
What to ask about during your visit
Ask about the different kinds of laser eye surgery (for example, PRK, LASIK, LASEK, and epi-LASIK) including the pros and cons of each.
Find out if you have any medical conditions that would make you a poor candidate for this type of surgery. While the temptation to get rid of your eyeglasses and contacts is often enormous, for many people, it’s not worth the risk of making things worse. For example, people with certain eye conditions such as dry eye, previous surgery of the eyes, and autoimmune conditions may not be good candidates for laser eye surgery to correct their vision.
Inquire about the latest research into complication rates – although most people who undergo these types of procedures end up very satisfied with the results, it’s a good idea to know the odds of you experiencing the same kind of outcome.
Laser eye surgery is a “big deal” so be properly informed before making your decision
It’s completely understandable why you’d want to ditch your eyeglasses or contact lenses in favor of a surgical solution that could permanently provide you with 20/20 vision. The technology used for these procedures improves every single year, and countless people have been very happy with the outcomes. But your situation is unique, and you need to be sure that your odds of experiencing the same good outcome are reasonable. Make an appointment today to discuss this with one of our experienced optometrists. They’ll be able to answer all of your questions and help guide you to the right decision.
In Oakville, Ontario and considering laser eye surgery? Visit the optometrists at Envision Eye Care today for screening, advice and post-surgical eye care!