Looking for LASIK in St. Louis? Here’s what you should be asking.
The Internet is an amazing thing. Thanks to dot coms, we now have an entire universe of information at our fingertips. Whether we want to find a recipe or figure out what’s causing that irritating rash, all we have to do is search for a couple of keywords and voila! The answers are right in front of us.
That’s a good thing, but it’s also a mixed blessing. Even with all that information, we don’t know what we don’t know. And when it comes to important decisions like laser eye surgery, nothing replaces solid medical advice provided by a reputable, board-certified LASIK surgeon. Not only does he or she likely have many years of experience, but the answers you receive will be for you and your unique eyes.
When you visit an ophthalmologist to find out if you are a good candidate for laser eye surgery, here are some questions you should ask:
Q: Does your refractive surgeon provide a variety of procedures, or only LASIK and PRK?
A: Many LASIK surgeons in St. Louis only offer LASIK, and for a variety of reasons are unable to provide the full range of FDA-approved vision correction options. LASIK is perfect for some people, but it is not the answer for everyone. Think of it this way: A carpenter needs more than just a hammer in his toolbox, because no matter how hard he pounds, he isn’t going to be able to get every job done with that one tool. Ophthalmologists need options, too.
The risk for complications or the need for future surgery increases in patients whose eye anatomy or tear production isn’t ideal for LASIK. The best LASIK surgeons in St. Louis offer LASIK plus the full spectrum of vision correction options.
In addition to SBK, an advanced form of bladeless LASIK, there are six modern variations: ASA, EVO ICL, SMILE, Kamra inlay, LRI and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). The more options your LASIK surgeon has at his or her fingertips, the more likely you’ll be to have the best possible outcome.
Q: How safe is LASIK?
A: The jury is in, and LASIK is now considered the most successful human surgical procedure in the world. Across the board, studies like the FDA-sponsored “Patient Reported Outcomes with LASIK” (PROWL) showed impressively and consistently high marks for safety, outcomes, and patient satisfaction. In comparison, the risk of sight-threatening infection from continuing to wear your contact lenses is significantly higher.
The key is in the vetting process. This is why, whether you live in St. Louis or elsewhere, it’s so important to visit a LASIK surgeon who does a thorough exam with the latest technology available.
Q: I know LASIK is extremely safe, but I’m still scared. How do I get past my fear and move forward?
A: Information is a powerful weapon against fear. The more you know, the better you’ll feel. Be sure your evaluation is comprehensive and that you feel comfortable with the choice. Free evaluations aren’t really free if they aren’t thorough enough to allow you to make an informed choice. If you feel rushed into surgery, pressured into a “sale,” or don’t feel like your LASIK surgeon is a good fit for any reason at all — visit another one. There are good ones out there, and there are great ones out there. A great ophthalmologist recognizes that your long-term vision is worth the investment of time, effort, and technology to make sure you receive the best care possible.
Q: What if I move or do something to mess up the surgery?
A: Refractive correction lasers are incredible pieces of technology. There really isn’t anything you can do to mess up your surgery. The tracking system built into the laser actually follows your eye at a rate much faster than you can blink. If your eyes move during the procedure, the laser moves with your eye, and if you move more significantly (such as if you cough or sneeze), the laser will temporarily turn off.
Q: What if I have one of the rare complications? Will I be blind? Can the problem be fixed?
A: Some people experience symptoms during their recovery, such as dry eye, light sensitivity, or night vision issues that, even though they aren’t experienced by the majority of patients, are still considered normal. These can be managed through medication or additional treatment and nearly always will go away over time. To date, there have not been any reported cases of blindness stemming from LASIK, and there are no facts that show that any serious, vision-threatening problems were encountered in the FDA studies for the surgery’s approval. The risk of even minor complications can be significantly decreased with proper evaluation. The key is making sure you really are a good candidate for the procedure you plan to undergo, and that’s where finding a St. Louis LASIK surgeon you trust is so important.
St. Louis LASIK surgeon Dr. Jason P. Brinton, MD is an internationally recognized specialist in the field of refractive surgery. He is a graduate of Harvard College, earned his medical doctorate from the Harvard Medical School, and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He has been inducted to America’s Top Ophthalmologists by the Consumer Research Council of America, Leading Physicians of the World by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals, and Top Doctors in America by Castle Connolly. In 2015, he received global recognition as the recipient of the Visian ICL Young Ophthalmologist Award in Barcelona, Spain, and in 2016 was named Ocular Surgery News’ Premier Surgeon 300 Innovators in Refractive Cataract Surgery. He is a dedicated husband, father of four beautiful children, and is passionate about his life, his work, and service to others.