There are many criteria in which to judge "the best."
The best....care, comfort, outcome, technology, surgeon, trust, price and more could all be considered. So where to start?
A: A good place to start is with your vision goals. Do you want to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts completely? Do you want to exercise without the hassle of glasses or contacts? Your vision goals are the first thing a LASIK surgeon should ask. The plan of treatment should follow.
Q: Is there really a difference in technology?
A: Best Technology=Best Results
LASIK surgery has come a long way over the years. State-of-the-art technology advances quickly. Learn what measurement tools the surgeon uses to map the unique elevation point on each of your eyes. With the latest technology, they should be able to map up to 22,000 unique measurements of each eye.
Bladeless LASIK is the Gold Standard in LASIK surgery. Bladeless LASIK is recognized around the world as the safest and most advanced method for LASIK surgery. With Bladeless LASIK, only laser energy is used for the entire procedure. In traditional LASIK, a steel microkeratome was initially used to cut open the eye’s surface and laser energy was used to shape and refine the eye.
Q: Is there a wide range in vision outcomes?
A: Bladeless LASIK provides safer, more accurate LASIK results. Most of the severe, sight-threatening LASIK complications are eliminated with Bladeless LASIK and doctors are able to achieve high levels of vision correction. Virtually all patients achieve 20/20 vision after surgery, with the majority of patients achieving even better results. Many patients enjoy 20/15 and even 20/12.5. Ask your doctor if their procedure is completely bladeless and ask what equipment they will be using. Then, do your research on the equipment to make sure it's has the track record of best visual outcomes.
Q: Does the surgeon make a difference?
A: Indeed. Preferably you want a surgeon who has had LASIK. Also a surgeon who has years of experience with the LASIK procedure and is committed to working with, and is trained on, the latest technology. Most doctors give a free LASIK consultation, so make sure you feel comfortable with the surgeon and staff assigned to your procedure.
Q: Why does the price vary?
A: Like in any business, the cost of doing business can vary from business to business. The same is true of the eye business. Some surgeons own their own equipment and have their own LASIK surgical centers, and some rent their equipment and have it brought into their facility or go outside to another facility to do surgery. Some surgeons use older equipment and don't invest in the latest technology which can keep their prices lower. Some LASIK centers are like a manufacturing facility - they just push them through, so volume can make up for price.
Q: How do I know if I will have the best experience and what it will be like?
A: Again, a free LASIK consultation will help you get these answers. Ask what the procedure will be like. Ask to talk to a LASIK patient who has had the surgery in their facility. See if you like the staff and surgeon. Don't be afraid to ask questions, that's what they're there for. Another good source of information is the website of the provider. See if the provider does a good job of explaining the procedure and experience on their site. Look for local testimonials.
Hopefully this blog helps you when your time comes to pick the best LASIK in Rochester.