How to Find a Great New York City LASIK Surgeon

There are horror stories in the news every day about the victims of inexperienced surgeons. Don’t sacrifice your eyesight to a poorly trained New York City LASIK surgeon by simply choosing a name that sounds nice from the phone book. Be sure the surgeon you choose is the best in his field. Use the many resources at your fingertips to improve your chances of getting great results. Your vision is worth the effort!

How do you find the very best surgeon in NYC for your LASIK surgery? What important questions you should ask? Is LASIK what you need or are you better suited for a different procedure?

Don’t be swayed by advertisements, billboards, testimonials and special offers. Advertising can be deceptive and is no indication of a physician’s expertise. To find the most qualified New York City LASIK surgeon, it’s vital to do your research.

MAKE A LIST & NETWORK WITH FRIENDS

List the contact information for every New York City LASIK surgeon in your phone book. Look up each one on the Internet and make notes of the recommendations or complaints you find. Eliminate those with poor reviews.

Visit the websites of the surgeons on your list to get a general sense of their background, training, specialties and their practice.

Ask your family doctor for recommendations. He or she may be quite familiar with specific surgeons and will give you a well-informed opinion.

Ask for references from family and friends and add these notes to your list. Although your friend may have undergone a completely different eye surgery, the surgeon may have the necessary skills to perform a wide variety of similar procedures. Networking with your friends and family may help you find a great New York City LASIK surgeon.

INVESTIGATE CREDENTIALS

To get the best results, you will most likely want to find a board certified Ophthalmologist. Board certification does matter. Finding a New York City LASIK surgeon who is a board certified ophthalmologist will improve your odds for the best outcome. Any doctor can claim to be board certified but it may not be true. It’s also possible that the surgeon is board certified in another medical specialty but not in ophthalmology. Verify it by using the free research tools available to you on the Internet.

Check the credentials of each surgeon on your list with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Make sure the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) granted the certification. ABO certification is the only one recognized by both the ABMS and the American Medical Association. You can also call the ABO at (610) 664-1175 for verification.

GET COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR SURGEON

Whittle down your list to your top 10 choices. Make a consultation appointment with each surgeon on the list.  Discuss your goals for treatment, whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery, the potential risks, costs and alternatives.  Check out the staff and surroundings. Is everyone helpful and knowledgeable? Is the surgeon willing to answer your questions about his or her qualifications and experience?

Don’t be shy; you want to walk away with a complete understanding of the best solution for your unique situation.  Try to spend 30 minutes with each doctor to find out which one makes you most comfortable. If the staff rushes you, they may also rush your surgery or after-care.

ADD 5^TH AVENUE EYE CENTER TO YOUR LIST

Ilan Cohen, M.D., is one of the foremost New York City LASIK surgeons and one of the most renowned in the nation. Dr. Cohen has vast experience in treatments such as LASIK, LASEK, PRK, implantable contact lenses (Visian ICL), the latest techniques for intraocular lens implants such as ReStor, ReZoom and Crystalens for cataract patients, as well as in corneal transplants, DSEAK, and much more.

Dr. Cohen and his staff at ^{5th Avenue Eye Center} welcome you to schedule a consultation and explore your options.  Find out how he earned his reputation as one of the best New York City LASIK surgeons, how 5^th Avenue Eye Center can help solve your vision problems, and how committed they are to excellence and incomparable customer service.  Whether you are in Manhattan or the greater New York City area, consider adding Ilan Cohen, M.D., and 5^th Avenue Eye Center to your Top 10 List.