Your eyes are important and so is the serious consideration of the surgeon performing your refractive surgery. Choosing a qualified doctor should involve more than visiting the nearest laser vision correction clinic or picking the cheapest option. The process of discriminating between surgeons can be confusing for patients who have never “shopped” around for medical services. However, here are some important factors every patient should investigate while selecting their LASIK surgeon:
- Check their credentials: Validate your LASIK surgeon’s license by contacting your state licensing board. Credentials can also be checked through the National Practitioner Data Bank. Find a surgeon that is board certified by The American Board of Ophthalmology. Board certification is the gold standard of a surgeon’s competence and involves a two-part examination to assess the practitioner’s knowledge, skills and experience.
- Consider reputation and experience: Find a surgeon with real and respected testimonials. These may be available on the clinic’s website. Choose a surgeon that has experience in several procedures, such as Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), Refractive Lens Exchange, ASA or the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure. LASIK may not be ideal for everyone and your surgeon should be versatile in assessing your needs and offering alternative options.
- Ask the right questions: Clarify the essentials in your initial consultation, including the clinic’s outcome statistics, complication rates and billing policies.
- Make sure you are comfortable: Choose a surgeon and eye care center that makes you feel assured and comfortable. The staff should be friendly, courteous and willing to address your questions and concerns every step of the way.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
