Vision Correction Provider Checklist

The decision to have laser or surgical vision correction is a very important one that you should make carefully, not quickly. You should choose a practice that focuses on safety, diagnostic technology, and post-operative follow-up.

Obviously, the experience of the surgeon is extremely important as well. We hope you will choose The Monnett Eye Care Team as your provider, but if you are shopping around, please use this checklist to compare your options;

Does the surgeon perform at least 1,000 vision procedures per year?  And is he/she among the FIRST 27 surgeons NATIONWIDE to receive certificaton SPECIFICALLY FOR LASIK by the American Board of Eye Surgeons--a certification based on review of actual surgery technique, expertise, and results, rather than upon merely passing a writtten test. test.	Yes	No
Does the surgeon use the very latest technology utilizing recently FDA approved, wavefront-guided, personally customized laser ablations, such as those delivered by our LADARVisionTM CUSTOMCORNEAź Laser?	Yes	No
Does the center explain to you upfront that you may or may not be a candidate for Conventional LASIK, CK (Conductive Keratoplasty), or LADARVisionTM CUSTOMCORNEAź LASIK?	Yes	No
Does the center have a very fine point laser option (0.8mm) that ensures the minimum amount of tissue will be removed to do your correction?	Yes	No
Do they perform the pre-operative LADARVisionTM CUSTOMCORNEAź tests to see what kind of higher order aberrations (that aren't measured or treated by Standard Lasik) might exist with your personal eyesight?	Yes	No
Does the center use wavefront analysis to take measurements of the eye pre-operatively and post-operatively?	Yes	No
If a wavefront system is being utilized, are the measurements being taken through a fully dilated pupil, so that any "aberrations" (or flaws) in your eye's focusing system are being maximally measured and then treated, rather than being only partially measured because the iris of your undilated pupil is blocking much of the lens system?	Yes	No
As you consider which surgeon you will utilize, has the center made special arrangements to allow you to see the surgeon perform the surgical procedure you are contemplating on another patient, so you can evaluate the surgeon and the entire team in action?	Yes	No
And, if so, are you given ample time to question the surgeon and the patient after the procedure about any questions you might have?	Yes	No
In addition, does the surgeon talk his patient through the procedure, so that there are no surprises for the patient during the surgery? (Note: your surgeon's bedside manner is VERY IMPORTANT.)	Yes	No
Does the center have access to and provide non-laser technologies to allow the surgeon to choose the best treatment method for each individual patient?	Yes	No
Does the center measure the size of the patient's pupils in order to ensure the appropriate treatment zone is used to avoid post-operative side effects such as night glare.	Yes	No
Does the practice check for severe dry eye before the procedure?	Yes	No
Does your surgeon have the confidence in himself, his team, and the procedure to have designed a completely glass-walled office and laser suite, located purposely inside a mall in order to allow the public to view procedure after procedure in order to dispell the "fear fator" about Lasik, CK, etc.?	Yes	No
Does the center sterilize all the instruments for each eye and use the latest generation microkeratome, for gentler, more reliable flap-making?	Yes	No
Does the center take the time to explain complex issues such as monovision and presbyopia and how they will affect your vision after age 40, in terms of the need for reading glasses at that time?	Yes	No
Does the center have a solid plan for post-operative care, and follow-up visits with you? (Steer clear of doctors that are part of a network, and/or are merely hired employees of a corporately owned laser center, either of which may lead them out of your territory at some point in time--the proverbial here today, gone tomorrow).	Yes	No
An abundance of positive patient testimonials is also very important!	Yes	No
Beware of deals that sound too good to be true--they usually are!  These procedures you are considering are on your eyes, your precious vision. Never lose sight of the fact that the lowest price is not always the best path to take. Make sure you take the time to make the right choice for you! Eye surgery results are not a commodity like apples that are the same quality wherever you buy them (and therefore reasonable to shop for at the lowest possible price).  Instead, eye surgery results are heavily influenced by the expertise of the individual doctor and team providing the surgery---so shop very wisely, you only have one set of eyes.	Yes	No
Finally, it is far better to entrust your surgery to a surgeon who has been, is, and will continue to be a resident and pillar of the community, and owns his/her own practice and surgery center, and therefore whose successes and (hopefully limited) failures will live with him and determine his reputation the rest of his/her life. (As opposed to being held accountable to a board of directors somewhere, who may be more interested in the bottom line for their shareholders, rather than solely in the well being of each and every patient being treated.)	Yes	No