It’s well-established that LASIK eye surgery is one of the most convenient and effective methods for fixing refractive errors in the eye. The procedure boasts the highest success rates for any medical procedure in the medical field; it can be done in an hour or less, and downtime for recovery is minimal.
The benefits of LASIK eye surgery, however, can surpass the standard at certain clinics. Hence, it’s important to choose a clinic that helps you maximize your investment and ensure the best outcomes for your eye health. Whether it’s through the expertise of your doctor down to complimentary benefits, these small details can have profound effects on your LASIK eye surgery experience.
Let this guide assist you in making the right choice.
How to Choose the Right LASIK Clinic
Satisfaction rates for LASIK procedures are generally consistent and high; industry benchmarks report success rates of at least 99.5%. But arguably, there are clinics that try to push the envelope to deliver the best possible experience for patients.
To identify these clinics, there are a few hallmark signs you should watch out for like:
1. Check the surgeon’s expertise and reputation.
The experience and skill of a LASIK surgeon are fundamental to the procedure’s success rate. Hence, the surgeon’s experience and a proven track record should be one of your foremost considerations.
For instance, Dr. Charles Manger has performed over 94,000 LASIK procedures and is ranked in the top 1% of LASIK surgeons nationwide with a 99.7% success rate.
Nearly all his patients gain a vision of 20/20 or better, with the remaining 0.3% achieving a still notable 20/30 or better vision.
2. Review patient testimonials and success stories.
Patient reviews and testimonials provide direct insights into the quality of care and outcomes at a LASIK clinic. It’s best to choose clinics with a high rate of positive feedback and success stories, as these may well be your experience and results you can expect from the clinic.
Moreover, try to notice details in their reviews. Looking deeper into descriptive reviews can give you an idea about how doctors and staff treat you, what the postoperative care process looks like, and whether the investment in LASIK is worth it.
Here are some sample reviews you can look into:
3. Consider the thoroughness of the diagnostic exam.
LASIK eye surgery is not for everyone; candidacy for the procedure is determined by an extensive diagnostic exam that helps determine its outcomes. Hence, it helps to check if a clinic is thorough with these diagnostic exams.
Recommended Read: Who Is A Candidate For LASIK — Self Evaluation
Most LASIK clinics will run you through a diagnostic exam for at least an hour. However, the procedure can take up to two and a half hours at Saddleback Eye Center. It’s a 14-test diagnostic LASIK exam, one of the most comprehensive in the industry, that clinicians conduct to determine your eligibility for the procedure and the success of your recovery.
In addition to the thickness of your cornea (the outside lens of your eye), some of the criteria professionals look into are:
- Your eye health. Existing eye conditions may affect your eligibility for LASIK eye surgery. These conditions include cataracts and glaucoma. If you have acute conditions like conjunctivitis or eye injuries, you must wait for these to resolve before you become eligible.
- Lens prescriptions. For some uncommonly high refractive errors, LASIK results may be unpredictable. In this case, your eye surgeon might recommend a different procedure. Check with your doctor closely to determine the best treatment course for you.
- Age. The lower age requirement for LASIK is at least 18 years of age. It is at this age when the eye is fully developed and can recover well after the procedure. As far as upper age restrictions, 65 years old and above is when LASIK may no longer be recommended. It is at this age when the lens inside of the eye typically begins to undergo changes with the development of cataracts which would make the LASIK results unpredictable.
4. Look for personalized care and comfort.
Choose a clinic that prioritizes patient comfort and personalized care. Though it seems like an unnecessary detail, these extra steps positively impact your physical state, keeping you at your most relaxed before and after the procedure.
Clinics that add these nuances in their approach understand that health should be viewed holistically and are more than willing to take care a step further. At Saddleback Eye Center, for instance, each patient is given a WOW experience.
These added steps for your care aim to make the first few hours and days after the surgery as convenient for you as possible. Saddleback Eye Center offers complimentary meals after your eye exam as part of the LASIK services. In addition, other conveniences like arranging hotel stays and transfers are also offered.
5. They proactively plan out your postoperative care.
Postoperative care is essential for a smooth recovery and optimal results. Ensure the clinic offers comprehensive postoperative care and a streamlined process for follow ups.
At Saddleback Eye Center, Dr. Manger includes all postoperative care for one whole year following the procedure. Postoperative care provided includes your initial medications, 1-day and 6-month post-op visits, any necessary enhancements, as well as any extra eye-checks related to LASIK as requested by the patient in that first year.
Though it is rare for Dr. Manger’s patients to require any additional enhancements after their LASIK surgery procedures, these complimentary benefits are provided to ensure that you maximize your investment.
Apart from that, these additional benefits help ensure your eye heals correctly and that you enjoy and maintain improved vision following the procedure for as long as possible.
6. Assess the clinic’s support and resources.
The availability of support and resources is important. Ensure the clinic provides ample information and assistance throughout the LASIK journey.
Check if their website has helpful information about the procedure, postoperative care, and LASIK surgery preparation, to name a few. This dedication to educating patients demonstrates the clinic’s expertise and capacity for caring beyond the clinical setting.
At Saddleback Eye Center, we have an extensive library of resources available to inform you about anything and everything related to LASIK eye surgery. Moreover, you can reach out to our friendly staff who will gladly answer any questions we missed addressing through content.
7. Offers competitive rates and flexible financing options.
Many people consider the cost of LASIK surgery an important consideration. Many people tend to reconsider their choices because of the financial challenges it imposes.
That is why many clinics offer more flexible payment terms and devise pricing plans that make the procedure more accessible, especially to those who need it the most. Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to receiving the treatment you need.
Look for clinics accommodating various methods for financing your LASIK treatment, accommodating cash, card, and check payments. At Saddleback Eye Center, for instance, we offer the following payment options:
- CareCredit Financing
- Alphaeon Financing
- Cash
- Personal check
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Discover Card
- American Express
By taking note of these tips, you can make a well-informed decision and choose a LASIK clinic that meets your needs and expectations. Moreover, it assures you that your LASIK eye surgery will result in successful correction of your vision problems and a comfortable experience.
If you’re ready to explore LASIK and improve your vision, consult with Saddleback Eye Center to start your journey towards clearer sight today.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right LASIK clinic profoundly impacts your journey to correcting your vision. Clinics and clinicians play a role in this by building upon existing best practices for treatment and introducing new ways to make it a pleasant experience.
Whether it’s by going the extra mile to book patient transfers and accommodations, or adding a few more questions and steps on a screening test, these small additions make a huge difference in the patient experience. These nuances show that practitioners pay attention to your needs and care about helping you walk out of their clinics with better vision and feeling good about the experience.
Delivering the best possible care and making a positive impact in patients’ lives is what we strive for at Saddleback Eye Center. Please contact us if you’re curious about how we make LASIK a transformative and enjoyable experience.
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