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Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Ask the questions about your eyes, nail down the facts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I wore glasses for 27 years. Three years ago, I took the plunge and had LASIK surgery. The decision wasn’t made lightly.
I was tired of wearing glasses and contacts, but I had a certain comfort level with them. That wasn’t the case with LASIK.
After a lot of research — including advice from my aunt who is an optometrist and conversations with others who had undergone the procedure — I decided the positive impact it could have on my life was worth the risk of surgery.
There was still much I was apprehensive about, including the possibility of dry eyes, the “halo effect” that some people experience and, of course, the risk that I could lose my vision.
I also was concerned about choosing the right physician. After talking with my aunt and getting recommendations from people who had the surgery and doing additional research on my own, I chose a doctor.
Lots of people perform LASIK surgery today, so it’s crucial to do your homework if you’re contemplating this sophisticated procedure. Our cover story http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/index.html provides some questions you’ll want to ask before choosing a surgeon.
My advice: Cheaper isn’t always the best way to go.
LASIK turned out to be a good thing for me, but’s it’s not for everybody. Sometimes your eyes aren’t suited for it or the risks seem too great. The important thing at any point, however, is to make sure you ask a lot of questions.
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