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Lasik Surgery

Lasik is Successful with Planning, Communication and Care

Hundreds of thousands of Lasik patients have been successfully co-managed by optometrists in Minnesota and across the nation. "Frequently, the optometrist is the eye doctor that has a history with a patient looking into Lasik, your family eye doctor knows your visual needs better than anyone else because of your established relationship" states Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) Past-President Wendy Goldsmith, O.D. "The optometrist will counsel the patient on whether or not they are a good candidate and work with the patient to find a good surgeon for them."

Thorough determination if you are a candidate prior to surgery, and careful observation in the post-operative period are equally as critical in the ultimate success of Lasik surgery as the surgery itself, as well as communication. It is important to spend time with your family eye doctor to determine if you are a candidate for Lasik surgery, as there are many factors that can come into play that technical staff may not be aware of.

The utilization of an optometrist as the doctor providing pre and post-operative care has very little correlation to the cost, and no correlation to the relative quality of the procedure. Some of the least expensive refractive surgery centers use only surgeons for all of their care while some of the most experienced and expensive surgical practices utilize only optometrists for their pre and post-operative care. It is important to speak with your family eye doctor regarding your choice of surgery locations, as they are able to recommend a doctor, and center, that can best meet your needs.

The most important parts of the pre-operative work are the refraction and very specialized measurements of the eye. Optometrists are well-qualified to provide these services. It is most critical for the eye doctors, be it an optometrist or ophthalmologist who has a clinical history with any surgical candidate, be involved in the pre and post-operative care. It is the eye doctor who will be involved in your care well beyond the actual surgical event. In addition, the best care is often delivered when two providers evaluate the same condition; as the saying goes two hands are better than one.

Optometrists are well trained in school and on an continual basis on the complications related to Lasik surgery and work closely with surgeons to insure that patients are given the best possible care. As stated above, optometrists have successfully co-managed hundreds of thousands of Lasik and other surgical patients. The MOA offers extensive training, provided by some of the most experienced surgical ophthalmologists, and optometrists involved in the daily care of Lasik patients. This training along with years of experience in working with Lasik, PRK and other refractive surgery patients has given optometrists extensive experience in consulting with, and managing, Lasik patients.

The utilization of optometrists in the pre and post-operative care of the Lasik patient improve the quality of care delivered and do not diminish the results as is so often reported. The presentation of information and inference that the utilization of optometrists reduce the quality of care are both inaccurate based upon the history of Lasik care in Minnesota, and the nation, and a disservice to anyone looking for objective answers to their questions.

Are you considering Lasik surgery? Check with your family eye doctor first!