In general, PRK, corneal ring implantation and the LASIK procedure are not as difficult as heart surgery! But a bad eye surgery outcome can affect your life just as negatively as a bad heart operation outcome. That's why it is so important to choose the best surgeon available.

Many refractive surgery centers are advertising in newspapers, on the radio, and on TV. Some ads are more informative than others; and some tout extremely good pricing. But while they can be a starting point, an ad or a procedure price should not be your only criterion in choosing a doctor.

Here are some tips for finding a good surgeon:

Ask for a referral from your regular eye care practitioner, whether an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Tell him or her that you want the surgeon in your area with the best reputation in the profession.

Call refractive surgery centers in your area; you'll find them in the Yellow Pages. Most have websites that explain their specialties and doctor credentialing. Some even let you search for particular surgeons on their sites.

What to Ask

After you find a surgeon, make an appointment for a consultation. This is an important meeting. To take full advantage of it, write down every single question you can think of, and ask every single one during your visit.

The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance has a long list of questions on its website. Here are a few, with some answers the CRSQA says you should expect:

How long have you been performing refractive surgery procedures? (Not less than three years.)

How many total procedures have you done? (Not less than 500.)

How many procedures in patients with my particular refractive error or eyeglass prescription have you done? (Not less than 100.)

What percentage of your patients have achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better? (The CRSQA says you should be suspicious of any number that is greater than 90%.)

What percentage achieved 20/20 or better? (Not less than 50%, but be suspicious of a higher number.)

May I have a list of at least 10 previous patients I can contact?

Have you ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?

Have you had your license to perform refractive surgery revoked, suspended, or restricted?

Have you been convicted of a felony? etc.

As you can see, the CRSQA recommends asking tough questions that some may consider difficult or even rude to ask. But remember that your very precious vision depends on your surgeon's competency. You need to be confident that you've chosen the right person. If you are not happy with the answers to your questions, consult another surgeon.