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DAN's PAPERS - May 19, 2000
Page 70
HEALTH, SPORTS & FITNESS
Seeing Eye to Eye on LASIK
Surely, you have seen the advertisements for laser eye surgery (LASIK), the price cutting promotions and even the laser shop in the mall offering 20/20 vision in 10 minutes. Now termed "flap and zap" laser eye surgery is earning rave reviews all across the nation. You have heard the claims; it is quick and painless. But, what else should you know? "The benefits of LASIK are tremendous, says Mark Speaker, M.D.,Ph.D., one of the nation's leading eye surgeons, but he warns, "It is serious surgery and is not risk-free. It is important for people to research the surgery and the surgeon thoroughly before having LASIK." Dr. Speaker is one of the most experienced surgeons in the area, having performed more than 10,000 LASIK procedures since 1994. "I am concerned about inexperienced surgeons offering discount surgeries. If you wouldn't shop around for a discount heart or brain surgeon, why would you take that risk with your eyes?" says Speaker. "I want patients to understand the procedure, the risks as well as the benefits.
"Recently, I am spending an increasing amount of time consulting with patients who have problems resulting from LASIK surgery. When I have to operate to fix improperly performed surgery, it is much more time consuming and expensive than if it is done right the first time. These patients invariably ask themselves, "How could I have been so naive or cavalier about my eyes?"
To help sort through the confusion about LASIK and ensure the best possible results Dr. Speaker tells potential candidates for laser eye surgery what they need to know before going "under the laser."
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LASIK
- Undergo a thorough evaluation with a LASIK vision specialist to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK.
- You should be advised to discontinue using contact lenses for an adequate period of time before the surgery to allow the cornea to return to its natural shape. Hard lens wearers should go without their lenses one-month for each decade of use, while soft lens wearers should forgo theirs for one week.
- Be cautious if a surgeon says he/she has never turned away a potential candidate. The surgery is not appropriate for everyone, especially those with corneas that are too thin, flat or steep. Surgery should not be performed the same day as the evaluation.
- There is a long learning curve for surgeons to become experts in the procedure. An experienced LASIK surgeon will have performed several thousand procedures over several years. Do some investigating to determine whether the doctor is truly experienced in LASIK or is only experienced in other eye procedures.
- Beware of surgeons who say that follow-up care is unnecessary. Make sure that care will be convenient and accessible to you for a one day, one week, one month and three month postoperative visit to ensure you are healing properly.
- There should be at least two technicians in the operating room during surgery, each with extensive LASIK experience and training, so that under trained personnel are not serving as backup.
- To ensure the best results, the laser should be calibrated after every eye.
For more information about LASIK from Dr. Speaker visit www.lasiknyc.com or 1-877-527-4569 to schedule your free consultation.
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