If you are like most people who consider LASIK eye surgery, choosing a surgeon is often the most difficult part of the process. A skilled and experienced doctor who uses the best technology and procedures is the best choice. Most importantly, you need to be sure that your LASIK surgeon uses a laser that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). How do you know if your doctor meets these all-important criteria? In order to assess the quality of your doctor as well the procedures used, it is important to rely on a number of different elements. Asking for referrals, checking credentials and asking questions are important techniques to use when investigating your eye surgeon.



Which Lasers Are FDA Approved?

In order to achieve the best results, it is important to select a surgeon who uses only FDA-approved lasers for vision correction. The Food and Drug Administration regulates the sale and use of all medical devices in the United States. Undergoing this approval process helps ensure the safety and quality of these medical technologies. The first lasers were formally approved by the FDA on October 21, 1995. Since that time, a number of other lasers have also been approved to treat a range of different vision problems. The following are some of the currently approved lasers, so be sure to compare the information your surgeon provides against this list.

&bull MEL 80 Excimer Laser System

&bull LASIK Eye Drape

&bull Technolas 217A Eximer Laser System

&bull Bausch & Lomb Keracor 116 Eximer Laser System

&bull Ladarvision Eximer Laser System

&bull Kremer Laser System

&bull Wavelight Allegretto Wave Excimer Laser System

Questions You Should Ask Your Surgeon

&bull When did you start performing LASIK surgery?

&bull How many surgeries have you performed in the last 12 months?

&bull What percentage of the candidates you screen are deemed unsuitable for surgery?

&bull How many of your patients can pass a driver's test without corrective eyewear one month following surgery?

&bull What percentage of your patients complain of negative aftereffects such as dry eyes, halos, overtreatment or undertreatment?

&bull Have any of your LASIK patients ever filed a malpractice lawsuit after surgery?

&bull What type of corrective laser do you use? Is it FDA approved?

For many of these questions, there is no absolute correct answer. The goal of these questions is to get a general idea of the skill and experience of your surgeon. However, you should always check the name of the corrective laser the doctor uses against the list of FDA-approved lasers. You should also inquire about how much training and experience the doctor has working with a specific laser device.