Choosing a Surgeon

When you make a decision to surgically correct your vision, one of the greatest considerations is which surgeon to choose. Some of the criteria you should consider include:

Is the surgeon an expert in the field?

Some of the most qualified surgeons to perform laser vision correction are fellowship trained corneal specialists. These physicians are ophthalmologists who have specialized training and concentrate their medical practice in the areas of refractive surgery and in treating corneal disease. They are experts in corneal surgery who routinely perform corneal transplants and handle severe corneal trauma.

Time magazine has stated that laser vision correction is a safe procedure with a minor complication rate of up to 5 percent when performed by a general ophthalmologist. However, the minor complication rate falls to 2 percent when a fellowship trained corneal specialist performs the surgery.

 

Does the surgeon have a long-standing reputation for excellence in eye surgery within the community?

According to ads for laser vision correction, everybody is a pioneer in refractive surgery performing surgery on renowned patients. If a corporate laser center's reputation is based upon it's founder, will he or she be performing your surgery? If their advertisements boast of celebrity patients, will the same surgeon perform your surgery? Surgical skill and experience are not acquired through franchise agreements or corporate expansion into new territories.

Does the surgeon provide both pre-operative and post-operative care?

InVision patients see their surgeon for pre-operative evaluation and post-operative care. Some optometrists refer patients to specific laser centers and provide the preliminary and follow-up care for laser vision correction. This arrangement is called co-management. Optometrists are compensated for co-management by the surgeon or the corporate laser center. It is important to discuss co-management arrangements prior to surgery.

Is the surgeon available 24 hours per day to address your concerns?

If you experience complications from surgery, will the surgeon be available to examine your eyes or has he or she commuted home to a neighboring city or state? Will a less experienced physician or non-physician be delegated responsibility for your medical care?

About Our Surgeons

At INVISION, our surgeons are fellowship trained corneal specialists who personally provide 100 percent of the medical care before and after laser vision correction, including all follow-up visits. Additionally, Doctors Johnson and Deitch are respected ophthalmologists known throughout the state of Indiana as dedicated corneal surgeons offering superior eye care. For more information about Doctors Johnson and Deitch please refer to the biographies listed on the home page under "Meet Our Doctors".