How Are Eye Surgeons Qualified to Be Listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons?

Trusted LASIK Surgeon screens all surgeons who are profiled in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory in order to help you find a highly qualified LASIK, refractive or cataract surgeon in your local area-- one with proven expertise and recognized by his peers for his contributions.

To our knowledge, we are the only LASIK directory service that screens surgeons based on their professional experience, qualifications, research, and other professional contributions to advancing the refractive and cataract surgery.

The Value To You

In our opinion, using qualifications such as a surgeon’s professional experience and contributions to the advancement of vision correction and cataract surgery (i.e., through research) give you a means to evaluate and compare any of the eye surgeons you are considering for your LASIK, refractive or cataract surgery.

When you compare a surgeon featured at Trusted LASIK Surgeons with other surgeons you may be considering, we think the surgeon you find here will stand out from the rest. We believe you can find a LASIK surgeon at Trusted LASIK Surgeons who you can choose with confidence and trust with your vision needs. Please also note that nearly all of the surgeons featured in our directory also perform cataract surgery, as well as other refractive surgery procedures like lens implants.

Please note that we do list and link to a few LASIK surgeons in local metros who we are believe would meet most of our screening criteria. However, realize these surgeons have not been screened by Trusted LASIK Surgeons and have not joined our directory. They are listed as a public service to you.

Considered about costs? Selecting a highly qualified LASIK surgeon may be more affordable than you think. You can have the best of both worlds when it comes to your eyesight: a highly qualified LASIK surgeon at a price you can afford. To learn more about the cost of LASIK and tips on how to afford LASIK, please visit our LASIK Cost page. Why make compromises when it comes to your eyes and your vision?

Trusted LASIK Surgeons Qualifications

Our criteria for screening surgeons to be featured in our LASIK and cataract surgeons directory are based upon the following 12 qualifications and standards:

1. Board Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology

2. Membership in American Academy of Ophthalmology and at Least One Other Major Refractive Society

3. Professional Experience

4. Complete Refractive Surgeons Who Offer More Than LASIK

5. Have Performed LASIK on other Eye Doctors, Eye Care Professionals and/or Their Family Members

6. Management of Complications from LASIK or Another Refractive or Cataract Surgery Procedures

7. Offers Wavefront based (“Custom”) LASIK and PRK and “All Laser” LASIK

8. Publication of at Least 5 Scientific Articles in Major Eye Journals

9. Over 5 Presentations About a Refractive or Cataract Surgery Topic at Major Meetings of Eye Doctors

10. Certified to Train Other LASIK Surgeons in the Use of Lasers and Other Devices Used for Laser Vision Correction Surgery

11. Academic Appointments at Universities and Teaching Hospitals

12. Participation in FDA Clinical Investigative Studies

Overview

Choosing your refractive eye surgeon carefully is the most important aspect of your decision to proceed with the best vision correction procedure to eliminate or reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses.

You have no doubt seen multiple advertisements in newspapers or on television or have heard radio spots proclaiming surgeons as experts or pioneers in the field of refractive surgery. Many of these ads typically equate a high volume of procedures (e.g. Dr. X has performed 20,000 LASIK surgeries) as an important aspect of their qualifications. We believe very few of these surgeons would meet eight of the Trusted LASIK Surgeons qualifications we use to screen LASIK surgeons featured at our site.

In order to be eligible to be profiled in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory, a LASIK and refractive eye surgeon generally must meet at least nine of the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Qualifications set forth below. We may make a few exceptions like, for example surgeons in smaller cities, but in those cases we believe their professional accomplishments are worthy of including that surgeon in our directory). In addition, many of the surgeons profiled at our site meet all 12 and many others meet 11.

We invite you to visit the profile pages for each surgeon featured at the Trusted LASIK Surgeons website in your local area. We encourage you to review their professional qualifications and credentials and compare them to any other surgeon you are considering. We believe you can choose a surgeon listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons with the confidence you will receive the highest level of care.

We believe the qualifications listed below sets the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory apart in finding highly qualified LASIK and refractive surgeons because the professional credentials and accomplishments of each surgeon can be objectively measured (i.e., # of FDA studies, research papers and presentations) and compared with other eye doctors you are considering.

We estimate that many, if not most of the LASIK eye surgeons in our directory have professional credentials that place them within an elite circle comprising the top 1% of LASIK, refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States. Of the remaining refractive surgeons listed in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory, many have professional credentials that we believe 5% of all refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States would have, and the rest would be among the top 10% when compared to their peers.

Trusted LASIK Surgeons Qualifications

Trusted LASIK Surgeons uses the following standards to screen surgeons who are featured in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory.

1. Board Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology

Significance of Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

To be certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, an eye doctor must complete a 3 to 4 year residency in ophthalmology, after which he or she must pass a written and oral examination in the field of general ophthalmology.

While most refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States will meet this standard, not all do, and we strongly encourage you to see if any LASIK, refractive, or cataract surgeon you are considering is certified by the American Board Ophthalmology, If the surgeon is not certified, you should look very closely at their experience and other professional qualifications.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

All of the LASIK, refractive and cataract surgeons listed at the Trusted LASIK Surgeons website are certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

2. Society Membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology and at Least One Other Major Refractive Society

Significance of Membership in Professional Societies.

LASIK, refractive and cataract surgeons who are members of professional societies related to vision and general eye care are more likely to be up-to-date on the latest information including new technologies and advancements in refractive and cataract surgery. Membership in these societies includes subscriptions to the official journals of these societies and member surgeons are eligible to attend the national yearly meetings of these societies at a reduced rate. Attendance at these meetings and reading these journals is one of the best ways for surgeons to keep up with the latest advancements in the rapidly changing field of refractive and cataract eye surgery.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons Nearly all of the surgeons listed on our website are members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and either the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, or the International Society of Refractive Surgeons (and often all three groups) as well as other national, international, and local organizations related to ophthalmology and medicine.

3. Professional Experience

Significance of Professional Experience.

Nearly all of the eye surgeons featured in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory have performed well over 2,000 refractive surgery procedures and nearly all have been performing refractive surgery for at least 10 years. While many LASIK surgeons promote the number of procedures they have performed (typically in advertisements) as a significant reason to choose them, this should not be considered in isolation. Many of these high volume LASIK surgeons offer only laser eye surgery, which may not be your best option as other refractive surgery procedures may be a better option (please see our section on “Complete Refractive Surgeons Who Offer More Than LASIK” below). We believe that the surgeon’s professional credentials and contributions (i.e., research teaching), whether he or she offers other refractive procedures better suited to people who are not good LASIK candidate are just as important, if not more so. This is why we encourage you to consider each of the standards we use at Trusted LASIK Surgeons in our screening process as a means of evaluating, comparing, and choosing your surgeon.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

In the few cases, where a LASIK surgeon does not have ten years of experience or the number of procedures we generally require, that surgeon typically meets atleast 9 of the qualifications we use to screen surgeons, plus they usually have academic appointments and have participated in FDA clinical investigations, which are two of the more difficult qualifications to meet. (We estimate less than 10% of the LASIK surgeons in the United States would meet either the above criteria).

In addition, most of the LASIK Surgeons featured at Trusted LASIK Surgeons who also treat cataracts have performed more than 1,000 cataract surgery procedures, which often include lens implants.

4. Complete Refractive Care Beyond LASIK

Significance of Offering Other Refractive Surgery Procedures Beyond LASIK.

Many LASIK doctors in the United States perform only LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures like PRK. Consequently, these surgeons do not offer a more complete range of treatments that may be better suited to your vision needs.

For example, Astigmatism can be corrected with 3 types of surgery: (1) laser vision correction surgery such as LASIK and PRK, (2) Limbal Relaxing Incisions and (3) Toric Implants. A laser eye surgeon who only performs laser eye surgery may not be qualified to perform the second and third surgeries. Moderate amounts of Astigmatism can be corrected by either limbal relaxing incisions or arcuate incisions on the cornea at the same time as the implant (Toric Implant) is placed inside the eye. Limbal Relaxing Incisions also require special instruments and experience and we believe most of the surgeons profiled at our website offer this type of vision correction procedure.

Another example concerns patients with abnormal or thin corneas or very high corrections, who are not proper candidates for laser vision correction procedures like LASIK and PRK. However, they may be excellent candidates for Phakic Lens implants. A Phakic Lens implant procedure requires special skills and training, as it is performed inside the eye rather than on the surface of the eye.

The benefit to you of choosing a LASIK surgeon who also performs other refractive surgery procedures, is that they can recommend and perform the procedure that is best for you- the one most suited to your vision needs and your eyes. Each laser eye surgeon who performs other refractive surgery procedures must be properly trained and certified (by the manufacturer of the equipment the surgeon uses in the procedure.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

Nearly all of the surgeons featured in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory offer a range of vision correction treatments beyond laser eye surgeon. Consequently, these surgeons profiled at Trusted LASIK Surgeons typically perform LASIK, PRK, Wavefront-based (Custom) laser eye surgery, lens implants surgery, and cataract surgery. Many also perform LASEK, Conductive Keratoplatomy (CK), Toric implants, Phakic implants, and limbal relaxing incision procedures.

Even if a doctor listed at Trusted LASIK Surgeons does not offer one of the lesser utilized refractive procedures (i.e., conductive keratoplasty), he or she should be able to refer you to a competent specialist the procedure most suited to helping correct your vision.

5. Managing Complications of Patients Who Were First Operated On By Another Eye Surgeon

Significance of Managing Complications from Eye Surgery.

Laser eye surgeons who have published articles and lectured to other eye doctors, been involved in FDA studies, have academic appointments, taught and certified other laser eye surgeons, particularly those who have done so with regard to complications of eye surgery, are typically asked to examine and treat patients who have experienced complications or undesirable side effects from their LASIK, refractive or cataract surgery originally by another eye doctor. We believe this is an important consideration in choosing your surgeon because surgeons with experience managing and treating complications have the practical experience that can help avoid having complications from your laser vision, refractive, or cataract surgery in the first place. Many of the surgeons featured at Trusted LASIK Surgeons also serve as Expert Witnesses, providing case review and expert witness testimony on cases involving LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures like lens implants, and cataract surgery.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

All of the LASIK, refractive and cataract surgeons profiled in our LASIK and cataract directory have managed complications from laser vision and other refractive surgery procedures (and generally cataract as well) of patients who were first operated on by another eye doctor.

6. Have Performed LASIK on other Eye Doctors, Eye Care Professionals and/or Their Family Members

Significance of Treating Other Eye Surgeons and Family Members.

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and employees of companies that specialize in refractive surgery instrumentation (like laser vision and lends implant manufacturers) are usually familiar with the reputations, results and complications of refractive surgeons in their communities. Because of this “inside knowledge”, these eye care professionals choose the very best surgeons for themselves and their families.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

Nearly all of the laser eye surgeons listed in Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory have performed LASIK or another refractive surgery procedure or cataract surgery on other ophthalmologists, optometrists, employees of companies that specialize in refractive surgery instrumentation or their family members.

7. Offers Wavefront based (“Custom”) LASIK and PRK and “All Laser” or Bladeless LASIK

Significance of Wavefront Laser Eye Surgery and All Laser LASIK.

Two of the most significant advances in the field of laser vision correction surgery have been the ability to perform “Wavefront based” or “custom” laser eye surgery and the introduction of the All Laser (Bladeless) LASIK using the IntraLase femtosecond laser to perform LASIK flaps.

Wavefront-based technology enables an experienced laser eye surgeon to make a detailed map of a patient’s cornea. This information is then used to create a customized treatment plan that is later implemented in your laser eye surgery procedures (like LASIK or PRK). The benefit to you is that this helps improve the results of the procedure (your vision) and can help minimize complications. Wavefront-based LASIK may also be referred to as “Custom LASIK”.

Bladeless or All Laser LASIK uses a laser to make the corneal flap instead of a surgical blade. Most surgeons performing bladeless or “All Laser” LASIK use the IntraLase laser, which creates flaps with a laser pulsating at 60,000 pulses per second. Other lasers, like those made Ziemer, may also used for All Laser LASIK. Using lasers to make the flap reduces flap complications and produces more predictable flap thickness and diameters compared to the mechanical microkeratomes, which used a vibrating metal blade to create the flaps.

The combination of the All Laser LASIK and Wavefront-based laser vision procedures has been shown to increase the percentage of patients achieving 20/20 vision or better and to reduce the chances of complications, such as frequency ofnight vision complaints (a higher order aberration).

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

Nearly all of the LASIK surgeons featured in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory have been certified by at least one laser manufacturer to perform “Custom” wavefront-based surgery and offer wavefront-based surgery in their practice. Most of the laser vision specialists in our directory provide bladeless or “All Laser” LASIK utilizing the IntraLase or another FDA certified laser.

Generally, the laser eye doctors in profiled at our website also use the latest diagnostic equipment available and often have a choice of more than one laser system to treat the patients seeking laser vision correction surgery.

8. Publication of at Least 5 Scientific Articles in Major Eye Journals

Significance of Publishing Research.

Another important qualification we use is the publication of at least 5 articles, written and researched by the surgeon, either as a primary or secondary author in a peer-reviewed journal. The Journal of Refractive Surgery, The Journal of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, The Archives of Ophthalmology, The American Journal of Ophthalmology and Journal of Ophthalmology are among the journals we consider in determining whether an eye surgeon meets this criteria. We also consider textbooks or book chapters authored by a surgeon in determining whether a surgeon profiled in our directory meets this standard.

We believe publication of scientific articles demonstrates a special commitment to the eye surgery that typically involves significant hours of work independent of the care of patients. A relatively small number of refractive laser surgeons have their names associated with an article in a major journal.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons Nearly all of the doctors profiled at the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory meet this qualification.

9. Over 5 Presentations at Major Meetings of Eye Doctors

Significance of Making Presentations to Other Eye Doctors.

Refractive surgeons who are respected by their peers as leaders in the field are frequently invited speakers at ophthalmologic meetings in the United States and abroad. By sharing their knowledge and expertise with their fellow eye surgeons, these refractive and cataract experts have helped educate other eye doctors about the latest techniques in the field of ophthalmology, including, complications, medications, vision correction, surgical techniques, and case reports, and general eye care.

Refractive surgeons meeting this requirement have given at least 5 lectures on refractive surgery topics at major meetings like the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and their foreign equivalents.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

Nearly all of the surgeons featured at the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory have made more than 5 presentations at major meetings of eye doctors. In addition, most of these surgeons have served as moderators and participates on panels at meetings and have taught courses to fellow surgeons.

10. Certified to Train Other LASIK Surgeons in the Use of Lasers and Other Devices for Laser Vision Correction Surgery

Significance of Certification to Train Other Eye Surgeons.

A laser eye surgeon who is certified to train other eye surgeons in the use of lasers and other devices used for laser eye surgery by the manufacturer is trusted by them. Much like surgeons selected to be investigators for FDA clinical studies, these manufacturers only certify those laser eye surgeons who are experts with proven experience in using their products, and, as important, who are honest and reputable.

To meet this qualification a LASIK surgeon must be certified by the manufacturer of lasers and other devices used for laser vision correction surgery such as Visx, Alcon, Summit, Baush and Lomb, Nidek, IntraLase, Sunrise, Taunton, Meditec, Wavelight, Autonomous, Lasersight, Novatec, Zeiss, Addition Technology, Zeimer, and Moria. LASIK Surgeons with faculty appointments generally have been certified to train others (i.e. residents, fellows and other surgeons) in the use of lasers or other devices or products used in refractive surgery. We also consider a LASIK surgeon who has been certified in the past to train other refractive surgeons for a laser that is no longer in use to have met this qualification standard.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

Most surgeons featured in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory in major cities have been or are certified to train other laser eye surgeons or have academic appointments and are certified to train residents, fellows or other eye surgeons in the use a particular laser, lens implants (such as Accommodating Lenses, Multifocal Lenses, Phakic Implants, Toric Implants), or another device used for other refractive procedures like NearVision Conductive Karatoplasty (CK), or for Cataract Surgery.

11. Academic Appointments at Universities and Teaching Hospitals

Significance of Academic Appointments.

Just as with participation in FDA clinical investigations (see below), academic appointments are reserved for a very special group of surgeons and that is why we have included this as part of the standards we use to screen surgeons for inclusion in our directory. In order to have an academic appointment, a surgeon must be trusted by the university or teaching hospital, selecting only those surgeons who they consider experts with impeccable credentials and reputations.

An Academic Appointment consists of either a full-time academic appointment or a voluntary appointment on the faculty at the department of ophthalmology at a major university's medical school or at a teaching hospital located in the United States.

A full-time academic appointment means that the laser eye surgeon actually works for the university. Typically, these doctors have a title like “Professor of Ophthalmology at the name of the university medical school, such as Dr. Edward Manche, Professor of Ophthalmology, Stanford University.

While many of the laser eye surgeons listed in our directory are in private practice, a significant number of these LASIK, refractive and cataract surgery experts still volunteer their time to help assist in the training of residents and fellows at universities. These surgeons are not paid by the university and their title could be, for example, Daniel Durrie, Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas Medical Center.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons.

While most LASIK, refractive, and cataract expert surgeons profiled in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory have an academic appointment, not every eye surgeon listed at our website has one.

Many of the refractive surgeon featured in our directory who do not have a current faculty appointment have had a past faculty appointment and are well qualified to teach at a medical school at a university or a major teaching hospital if they chose to do so. In these cases, we generally consider the surgeon to have met this criterion. Of those remaining few surgeons who have not had a faculty appointment, they typically practice in a smaller city that may not have a university with ophthalmology departments at their medical schools, and consequently, do not make academic appointments of ophthalmologists- we do feel these surgeons are still highly qualified based on their professional credentials.

12. Participation in FDA Clinical Investigative Studies

Significance of FDA Studies.

Laser vision, refractive eye and cataract surgeons who have participated in FDA clinical studies are a very select and special group and that is why we have chosen to make this one of the criteria we use in our screening process. We believe participation in FDA investigative studies is a significant qualification because the vast majority of eye surgeons in the United States do not meet this criterion. We estimate that as few as possibly 200 and probably no more than 500 eye doctors have participated in FDA studies out of an estimated 13,000 ophthalmologists in the United States.

Manufacturers of lasers, lens implants, surgical devices, and medications, such as Alcon, Visx, Bausch and Lomb, Nidek and Wavelight, invest millions of dollars to obtain FDA approval for their ophthalmic products, not to mention millions of dollars spent to research, invent, and patent their products. Because of the substantial investment these manufacturers make in testing, creating, and obtaining patents and FDA approval, these companies must be especially vigilant in choosing eye surgeons to be clinical investigators for these FDA studies. In short, laser manufacturers and other makers of ophthalmic devices, products, and medications trust the surgeons they select based on his or her professional experience, research, and reputation.

Manufacturers of lasers, lens implants, medications and other surgical devices subject to FDA approval, select their own investigators for FDA clinical studies by choosing those eye surgeons who have impeccable credentials. The manufacturers can choose from a large pool of potential surgeons and, of course, they choose only the best- those with impeccable professional credentials.

In particular, these companies select eye doctors who are highly skilled, experienced in the procedures under FDA studies, and who are familiar with the stringent examination and follow-up requirements of FDA studies. Of equal importance, the laser, refractive, and cataract surgeons selected by these companies are ethical, honest and held in high regard by their peers.

Laser, refractive and cataract surgeons who are selected for FDA clinical investigations either serve as principal investigators or co-investigators at the study sites. These investigational sites can either be affiliated with major universities or hospitals or they can be private laser centers. Many of these investigators will be asked to represent the companies when the data is reviewed by the FDA prior to approval of the laser procedure under study.

Each of the lasers and IOLs (intraocular lens implants) discussed on our website requires a separate FDA approval. Thus, a manufacturer must obtain approval for correction of: myopia, hyperopia (usually with Astigmatism) and, more recently, additional approval for: customized Wavefront-guided laser eye surgery procedures and bladeless LASIK using the IntraLase or another FDA approved laser. These investigators are also frequently asked by the companies to present the data at national and international ophthalmology meetings.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons

Most of the doctors listed in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory have been involved in the FDA studies to approve the lasers, certify other surgeons in the use of the lasers, and or teach residents and fellows in laser and cataract and implant techniques. Of those who do not meet this standard, many of these surgeons have participated in research and studies by the National Institute of Health, which is also chooses surgeons based on the professional credentials and integrity of each surgeon.

These Qualifications Make Sense To Me. What’s Next?
To find a highly qualified LASIK, refractive or cataract surgeon in your local area please visit Trusted LASIK Surgeons Directory.

Once you have located a surgeon you are interested in contacting from our directory of LASIK, refractive and cataract surgeons, we invite you to review their profile and compare this surgeon’s qualifications with other doctors you are considering for your vision correction surgery.

When you compare the professional credentials of a surgeon featured at Trusted LASIK Surgeons with another surgeon, we believe you will find that the surgeon listed here is among the most highly qualified you can find in your local area- a LASIK, refractive, and/or cataract surgeon with proven expertise.

As a courtesy to us, if you contact the office of a surgeon listed in our LASIK directory, we would greatly appreciate that you mention to the staff and later to the surgeon that you found the surgeon through Trusted LASIK Surgeons. Thank you.
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