Laser eye surgery is the most popular elective surgery treatment in the world. Key to successful laser eye surgery is finding a laser eye surgeon whom you trust and have the confidence in to give you the vision you have always wished you had.

When it comes to choosing your laser eye surgeon there are many factors that you need to consider to ensure you are choosing the right one for you. The following gives you some guidance on the best ways to choose your laser eye surgeon:

• Word of mouth:  This is one of the best ways of finding a good laser eye surgeon. Ask relatives, friends or colleagues that have already had laser eye surgery about their overall experience of the clinic and especially about their particular surgeon. It is also a good idea to ask your regular optometrist if there is a particular laser eye clinic or laser eye surgeon that they would recommend. A well-regarded laser eye surgeon will typically have a commendable reputation in his or her community.
• Have a laser consultation: This is the best way to gauge how the practice runs and the manner in which staff interact with patients. In some clinics you may only have a limited time to spend with the surgeon, so it is important that you feel at ease with the optometrist and technical staff. Most laser consultations are free of charge and there is no obligation to have surgery.
• Experience/Qualifications: It’s important to choose a laser eye surgeon who is highly experienced and skilled in the type of procedure you require. Although there is some debate on this topic, many leading experts in the field consider a surgeon who has performed more than 1000 laser eye procedures to be experienced – naturally experience goes hand in hand with competence and skill. Most laser eye surgery clinics will have brochures and websites that list their surgeon’s qualifications and experience. This can be helpful if you have been recommended a particular laser eye surgeon as their names will be available.
• Read the small print: Be wary of flashy advertisement campaigns; anyone can buy an advertising space so this does not necessarily mean the company is reputable. Apart from prices being misleading to lure the patients in, many corporate companies have surgeons that come and go, offering no patient-practitioner continuity. Your laser eye surgeon should be a part of the process from start to finish including preoperative and postoperative examinations in addition to the actual laser eye surgery itself.
• Your instinct: Finally you need to be confident that you have chosen a laser eye surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and relaxed with. Trusting your instinct will ensure that you experience minimum anxiety on the day of procedure.