Make the Choice to Have LASIK an Informed One

Presented by The American Refractive Surgery Council

About the LASIK Consultation

• A consultation with a LASIK surgeon should cover all bases, preparing you for the LASIK experience so you can make a confident decision about having the procedure.

• But patients should be aware there are LASIK practices that have a reputation for “hard sell” tactics and avoiding difficult discussions about risks, the recovery process and what to expect as a LASIK patient.

Getting the Right LASIK Information

• “People considering LASIK should be given all the information they need to make an informed decision about whether LASIK is right for them,” says Dr. D. Rex Hamilton, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified ophthalmologist.

• “Fortunately, the vast majority of ophthalmologists are reputable professionals with only their patients’ best interest in mind. – However, this is your vision and you should be comfortable

with who you are working with to improve it.”

Knowing What to Expect

• “LASIK is an extremely successful surgery with an excellent track record,” Dr. Hamilton says. “But it is surgery, and it needs to be the subject of a serious conversation so that prospective patients can make the choice that’s best for them. You should understand not only the benefits of improved vision, but also the risks, side effects and the healing process.”

• “Some people who are dissatisfied by LASIK were given insufficient information up front, and didn’t have realistic expectations or simply didn’t know what to expect,” Dr. Hamilton continues. “That’s unfair to the patients and gives an inaccurate impression of the procedure itself.”

Talking With Your LASIK Surgeon

• According to Dr. Hamilton, people who are thinking about LASIK should plan to talk to their surgeon at length about:– What LASIK can do and what it can’t. “LASIK can free

you from -- or reduce your dependence on -- eyeglasses and contact lenses, improve your vision, and enable you to have a more active lifestyle,” Dr. Hamilton says. “But it has limitations. In particular, it can’t stop the aging process. Your eyes will continue to age, and you may need glasses for reading at some point in the future.”

Factors for LASIK Success

• The factors that might make you a good or bad candidate for LASIK. “LASIK helps millions of people improve their quality of life, but not everyone is a good candidate. – People with thin or irregular corneas, certain eye diseases like

cataracts or glaucoma, and other immune system diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and vision correction prescriptions that are changing rapidly – these people may not be able to have LASIK currently. Twenty to 25 percent of patients are ineligible for LASIK,” said Dr. Hamilton. A review of your medical history and thorough eye examination are important steps in determining candidacy.

LASIK Side Effects and Recovery

• LASIK side effects and the recovery process. “LASIK is very routine – millions of LASIK procedures have been done successfully. But it is still surgery, and like any surgery, it has side effects and a recovery period,” said Dr. Hamilton. “Immediately after LASIK, people can experience dry eye, scratchy eyes and distortions such as glare or halos. These typically resolve on their own after a few days or weeks. Dry eye symptoms may persist for several months but can typically be treated very effectively. But people should know what to expect.”

LASIK Risks

• The risks of LASIK. “All surgery involves risk, and LASIK is no different. Risks are minimized through effective screening – your surgeon should discuss your health profile with you, explain the risks and help you decide whether or not LASIK is right for you. Finally, read the informed consent carefully and in your own time. Understand all of the information it includes and feel free to ask your surgeon any follow up questions,” Dr. Hamilton explains.

LASIK Expectations

• What to expect from LASIK. “LASIK is surgery and that involves a recovery process. The clearer and more accurate your expectations are, the more likely it is that you’ll have a satisfying LASIK experience,” says Dr. Hamilton.

For More Information Please Visit: www.AmericanRefractiveSurgeryCouncil.org