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How to Find the Best Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction & Corrective Eye Surgeons San Francisco , CA

The field of corrective laser eye surgery has made great strides of late. Ophthalmologists performing refractive eye surgery, including LASEK, LASIK and PRK can restore nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism to 20/20 vision. When considering corrective laser eye surgery, you'll want the best San Francisco laser eye surgeon available. Read on for more about laser eye surgery and what you should know before you decide to have it done. more »

How to Find the Best Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction & Corrective Eye Surgeons San Francisco , CA 

Refractive eye surgery using lasers (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) to correct vision problems began in the 1980s, though not in the United States. It wasn't until 1995 that the FDA approved of the technique for doctors in this country. The original procedure, which is still offered to some patients today, was known as PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy. PRK uses an excimer laser (a type of laser that can remove extremely fine layers of biological material on a cornea without heat or damaging the tissue left behind) to gently and quickly reshape the cornea, improving the eye's ability to focus. Another early technique to treat myopia (nearsightedness) was radial keratotomy, or RK, in which the surgeon made small incisions, like pie slices, in the cornea to allow it to spread and flatten, improving vision. Later, more advanced techniques of refractive eye surgery were developed including LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, which involve slicing a small flap in the cornea to fold it back and reshape (with a laser) the underlying tissue, then carefully replacing the flap for typically quick healing), and LASEK (laser assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy, in which the corneal surface is loosened and treated with a laser to reshape the cornea, somewhat like PRK).

People that are nearsighted (myopia), farsighted (hyperopia) or have astigmatisms (an irregularly shaped cornea) are often good candidates for LASIK or LASEK surgery, though that can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. For most, returning the eyesight to perfect 20/20 vision is quite possible and often done successfully. Others may still require corrective lenses but with a much lighter prescription. Typically, a laser eye surgery takes place while the patient is awake, using a local anesthetic to numb the eye. The patient can leave the office shortly after the procedure, usually with immediate improvement in their eyesight. While these procedures are simple, painless and quick, there are some risks, including dry eyes, halos when looking at lights, double vision, difficulty seeing in low light situations and actual vision loss, though the more severe of these possible side effects are rare. Be sure to ask your laser eye surgeon about these side effects and what you can do to lessen the chances of them occurring.

Some people are not good candidates for laser eye surgery. For example: Some occupations prohibit their employees undergoing the procedure. It can be expensive and is considered by many insurance companies to be elective surgery and therefore not covered. If you have an autoimmune disease or other major illness it may preclude you from being a good candidate. If you have other types of eye problems as well it can be a consideration. If you take steroids or other drugs that inhibit healing it can disqualify you for laser eye surgery. Those with unusually strong glasses prescriptions and those whose prescriptions have changed recently may not be the best candidates for the surgery, along with those with extra-large pupils or thin corneas and dry-eye conditions. Your laser eye surgeon can tell you more about these considerations.

There Are Differences in Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction and Corrective Eye Surgeons in San Francisco
Doctors of ophthalmology are experts in the field of diseases and conditions of the eye. But not all San Francisco ophthalmologists are trained in latest techniques in laser eye surgery and among those who are, not all have the same levels of experience. Finding the best corrective eye surgeon for your procedure requires a careful vetting process on your part. There are several corrective laser eye surgery industry organizations which certify those doctors who remain up to date with current science and procedure. Seek out doctors that are affiliated not only with respected industry organizations but those with good records in organizations like the Better Business Bureau or Diamond Certified. The Prime Buyer's Report has compiled a list of reputable publications, associations, and internet resources. To view these links, see the article, "Key Consumer Resources for Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction and Corrective Eye Surgeons in San Francisco ."

Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction and Corrective Eye Surgeons in San Francisco
There are many different laser vision centers and corrective eye surgeons in the San Francisco area so it can be difficult to choose. Once you are sure you want to have your eyes evaluated for laser vision correction, you'll want to speak to several eye doctors to find the right one for you. We've begun the process for you, listing ten of the top corrective eye surgeons in the San Francisco area. They include: Ella G Faktorovich MD, LaserVue Eye Center, Danny Lin, MD - Pacific Eye Associates, Ellis Eye & Laser Medical Center, Eyecare Associates, Insight Laser Eye Center, Dean R Hirabayashi MD, Ze Woong Yang MD, David S Yee MD, Steven N Cohen MD.

 

 

Choosing the Best Laser Vision Center and Corrective Eye Surgeon For You in San Francisco  

Know What You're Looking For
Before you can decide if a particular laser vision center or corrective eye surgeon is right for you, it's best to have some idea of what you're asking for, and why. Obviously, if you are seeking laser eye surgery, you have a vision problem and improving your vision is your goal. But, beyond that, there are other considerations, such as health risks, costs, experience and the possibility that another solution would better serve you. Despite its miraculous results, laser eye surgery isn't always the best solution for all vision problems.

When you begin calling San Francisco laser vision centers, use the following list of questions as a guideline.

How long have you been performing laser eye surgery?
How many surgeries have you performed?
Have you had patients with my exact eye situation before?
What is your success rate?
How long before the initial consultation or surgery should I remove my contact lenses?
What is the cost of the surgery?
Will my consultation fee be applied to the surgery?
Does the cost include follow-up "enhancements" down the road to further improve my vision?
If so, what is my time limit for the follow up surgery?
Where will the surgery be performed?
Will I need reading glasses after my eye surgery?
Is the laser equipment you use FDA approved?
Do you perform regular maintenance on the laser equipment?
Is there anything that makes me less than an ideal candidate for laser eye surgery?

Often, before the laser eye surgery, patients are required to sign a disclaimer of sorts which lists the risks of the surgery. This document is not tailored to your particular situation or designed to give you advice; it is intended to protect the doctor by providing "informed consent" with a generic list of possible risks. It's not a bad idea to ask questions of your own and write down those questions, along with the answers, on the consent form. This may offer you a modicum of protection if you are given wrong or bad information.

It's very important that you work with a vision center and corrective eye surgeon with whom you are comfortable and that you trust. From the first phone call, to the initial consultation with the doctor, be aware of how you are treated. Did the staff and doctor of the vision correction center seem interested, open and patient? Were they forthcoming with answers to your questions, or did they adopt a don't-ask-questions, trust-us-we-know-what-we're-doing attitude. After calling several laser vision centers, you will get a feel for which one is probably right for you.

First Impression
Good laser vision professionals will listen carefully to what you're saying and asking and will ask great questions in return. That first impression may very well set the tone for your entire experience with the center or the eye doctor, so pay attention to the tone of the conversation. You are not obligated to hire a particular surgeon even after your initial consultation. If it doesn't feel right, for any reason, move on and find another eye surgeon.

When you've selected what seems to be the best laser vision center and corrective eye surgeon for you, check for any consumer complaints from the Better Business Bureau, and check to see if there are legitimate complaints lodged with industry watchdog groups.

Finally, throughout your procedure, from the initial call to the operation itself, you will surely have questions.  Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or the vision center staff if you have any questions or concerns.

 

 

Consumer Resources for Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction and Corrective Eye Surgeons in San Francisco  

Associations & Licensing
 
BBB Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
LASIK Eye Surgery FDA site (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/lasik/)
All About Vision LASEK site (http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/lasek.htm)
All About Vision PRK site: (http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/prk.htm)
American Academy of Ophthalmology (http://www.aao.org)
American Board of Ophthalmology (http://www.abop.org/index1.asp)
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (http://www.ascrs.org/)
The American Medical Association (http://www.ama-assn.org)
California State Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov/)
California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (http://www.californiaeyemds.org/)

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the best laser vision centers and corrective eye surgeons in San Francisco within the following zip codes:

94101, 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94126, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94146, 94147, 94157, 94158, 94159, 94164, 94165, 94166, 94167, 94168, 94169, 94170, 94172 and 94188

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 laser surgeons and corrective vision centers in San Francisco within the following cities:

Bernal Heights, Cow Hollow, Diamond Heights, Duboce Triangle, Eureka Valley, Fisherman's Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, Hayes Valley, Inner Sunset, Japantown, Laurel Heights, Marina District, Mission District, Nob Hill, Noe Valley, North Beach, Outer Sunset, Pacific Heights, Presidio, Rincon Hill, Russian Hill, San Francisco, Sea Cliff, Sunset District, Telegraph Hill, Treasure Island, Twin Peaks and Western Addition

 

 

Tips For Dealing with Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction and Corrective Eye Surgeons in San Francisco 

Know What You Hope to Accomplish
Laser eye surgery can accomplish different things for different people. It helps if you know exactly what you're hoping to take away from the surgery. Do you want better long-range vision? Up-close vision? Is one eye more affected than the other? Are you hoping to end up with perfect vision in both eyes? Are you considering surgery in order to pursue some activity that your current vision won't allow?

Write it Down.
Think about the above questions and write down your thoughts. Write down your hopes, your concerns, your fears and questions. This way you can present each corrective eye surgeon with the same list of considerations, and judge each from their responses to the same things and get a sense of their listening skills, and their willingness to entertain your concerns.  This is a chance to get to know your prospective surgeon; seize the opportunity.

Get Several Separate Opinions From Several Corrective Eye Surgeons.
Surgeons, like anyone, will approach problems in different ways and with different attitudes. Prices can vary and their opinions regarding your appropriateness as a laser vision correction surgical candidate may vary as well. Speaking to several eye surgeons will give you a better sense of your condition and whether or not you should proceed.

Choose Experienced Corrective Eye Surgeons.
Experience means a lot in the world of corrective eye surgery. You'll want to choose an eye surgeon who has done many procedures similar to the one you are seeking. A surgeon with a wealth of experience will have a better idea of how to proceed with your case, and have better knowledge of what to do if something comes up during the surgery. The surgeon should be willing to give you a list of past clients on whom she or he performed similar surgeries as referrals. 

Know Your Rights.
Even if your surgery doesn't go as planned and there's a problem, it can be difficult to know whether or not an eye surgeon has acted negligently or recklessly. There are resources available if you feel you need to lodge a complaint or report. Reference the California Department of Consumer Affairs. (See our article, "Key Consumer Resources for Laser Vision Centers, Vision Correction and Corrective Eye Surgeons in San Francisco " to learn more.