Qualifications and Screening

LASIK and Cataract Surgeon Qualifications

Our Unique Screening Process

Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ screens all surgeons who are profiled in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ Directory in order to help you find a highly qualified LASIK, refractive or cataract surgeon in your local area—one  with proven expertise who has been recognized and trusted on a professional level for their professional experience and contributions to the field of refractive surgery.

To our knowledge, we are the only LASIK and cataract directory service that screens all surgeons it features based on experience, qualifications, research, and other professional contributions to advancing the vision correction procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery.

Our 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) provides you with a way to evaluate and objectively compare the professional credentials any eye surgeons you are considering for your LASIK, refractive or cataract surgery.

When you compared to other surgeons you are considering, we are confident you will find the surgeons here Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ stand out from the rest. We believe you can choose with confidence the expert surgeons you find here and trust them with your vision correction needs.

Most of the surgeons featured in our directory also perform cataract surgery, as well as other refractive surgery like lens implants and Kamra Inlay procedures.

As a public service to you, we do list and link to a few LASIK surgeons in local metros who we believe would meet most of our screening criteria.  Please realize these surgeons have not been formally screened by Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and therefore have not joined our directory.

Concerned about costs of LASIK? 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 True Cost of LASIK Discussion. Why compromise when it comes to your eyes and vision?

Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ Qualifications and Standards

Our criteria for screening surgeons to be featured in our LASIK and cataract surgeons directory are based upon the following 10 qualifications and standards:

  1. Board Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO)

  1. Membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and at Least One Other Major Refractive Organization

  1. Professional Surgical Experience (includes LASIK, cataract and other non-LASIK vision correction procedures)

  1. Chosen By Other Eye Surgeons and Professionals

  1. Manage Complications from Eye Surgery of Patients Who Were First Operated On By Another Eye Surgeon

  1. Offer Advanced LASIK Technologies: Wavefront based (“Custom”) LASIK and PRK and “All-Laser” LASIK

  1. Professional Presentations and Research to Advance Refractive and Cataract Surgery for Other Eye Doctors

  1. Certified to Train Other Refractive Surgeons in the Use of Lasers and/or Other Devices for LASIK or Other Vision Correction Surgery

  1. Academic Appointments (at Universities, Major Clinics, and Teaching Hospitals)

  1. Participation in FDA Clinical Investigative Studies

Overview

We think most people would agree that choosing your LASIK or other vision correction 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.

We believe the 10 qualifications we use to screen eye surgeons for membership in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ Directory sets our service and the surgeons found here apart from the typical surgeons you may consider. Since these 102 screening standards are based on a surgeon’s professional credentials and accomplishments, they can be objectively measured. This means you can use these standards to compare the qualifications of any eye surgeons you are considering for LASIK or another vision correction or cataract surgery procedure.

In order to be eligible to be profiled on our website, a LASIK and refractive eye surgeon generally must meet at least 8 of the 10 Trusted LASIK Surgeons Qualifications set forth below. We do make a few exceptions for surgeons in smaller cities or where the surgeon has met at least one of the more difficult criteria to meet like faculty appointments or FDA studies. In such cases we believe the surgeon's body of professional experience and contributions is worthy of including that surgeon in our directory and places them among the top LASIK surgeons in the United States.

Many of the LASIK and cataract surgeons profiled at our site meet all 10 Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ qualification and all or nearly all must meet at least 8 to be profiled at our site. 

We estimate that many of the LASIK and cataract surgeons you find here 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 featured in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ Directory, many have professional credentials that we believe only 5% of all refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States have, and the rest would be among the top 10% when compared to their peers.

We invite you to visit the profile pages for each surgeon featured at the Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ website nearest to you. We encourage you to review their professional qualifications and credentials. Once you compare them with those of any other surgeon you are considering, we believe you can choose a surgeon featured at Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ with the confidence you will receive the highest level of professional care for your vision correction needs.

Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ Qualifications

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

1. Board Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology

Significance of Certification by the ABO
To be certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), an eye doctor must complete a 3 to 4 year residency program 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 ABO. If the surgeon is not certified, you should look very carefully 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. Membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and at Least One Other Major Refractive Organization

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 featured 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 Surgical Experience (includes LASIK, cataract and other non-LASIK vision correction procedures)

This qualification includes the following:

  • Professional Experience:  Years and the Number of Procedures
  • More than LASIK: Surgeon performs other refractive surgery procedures and/or cataract surgery

Significance of Professional Experience.
To meet this criteria, a LASIK surgeon must typically have performed over 1,000 refractive surgery procedures and/or have at least 10 years of experience performing refractive surgery procedures like LASIK or cataract surgery. 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 the qualification entitled “Complete Refractive Care: More Than LASIK™ below for more info).

We believe that the surgeon’s professional credentials and contributions (i.e., research, teaching, and training), 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.
Nearly all of the surgeons featured in the Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ Directory meet this criteria. In a few cases, where a LASIK surgeon does not have ten years of experience or the number of procedures, that surgeon typically meets at least 8 of the qualifications we use to screen surgeons, plus the surgeon usually has either an academic appointment or has 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 of those 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. Chosen By Other Eye Doctors and Eyecare Professionals

Nearly all surgeons featured in our Directory have performed LASIK, Cataract Surgery and/or Another Vision Correction Procedure on other eye doctors, eye care professionals and/or their family members

Significance of Treating Other Eye Doctors 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 our 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

5. Manage Complications from Eye Surgery 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 Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ 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. Offer Advanced Technologies: Custom Laser Vision Surgery and "All Laser" LASIK

Significance of Custom 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 "Custom" or “Wavefront based” laser eye surgery and the introduction of the All Laser (Bladeless) LASIK using the femtosecond laser like the IntraLase or Ziemer to make the LASIK flap on the cornea.

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 LASIK, PRK or similar laser eye surgery procedure. The benefit for you is that this technology can help improve the results of the procedure (your vision) as well as minimize complications. Wavefront-based LASIK and PRK 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 using the IntraLase or another laser to create the flap on the cornea operates at 60,000 pulses per second. Other lasers, like those made Ziemer, may also be 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 flap.

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 of night 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 and Trusted Cataract 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.

7. Professional Presentations and Research to Advance Refractive and Cataract Surgery for other Eye Doctors

In order to qualify to be featured at Trusted LASIK Surgeons, an eye surgeon must have a combination of at least 10 of the following:

  • Publications of scientific research in scientific journals and books
  • Presentations to other eye doctors at national or state meetings of ophthalmologists
  • Service on panels at major meeting of professional eye organizations or service on a committee or as an officer of national or state ophthalmology organizations

Significance of Publishing Research in Scientific Journals and Books
Another important qualification we use is the publication of 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 Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ meet this qualification. In the alternative, we sometimes include a surgeon in our directory who meets a combination of this qualification regarding publication of research or has served as a director, office, or advisor to a national or state ophthamology organization. 

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 lectures and presentations 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 may meet this qualification by serving on special committees of national and international organizations of eye doctor or as officers and directors of state ophthalmology societies.

Surgeons Who Meet This Qualification at Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ Nearly all of the surgeons featured on the Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ Directory have made more than 10 presentations at major meetings of eye doctors or have a combination of over 10 presentations made or participation in panels at major meetings and publications of research articles in major eye journals and/or book chapters. In addition, many, if not most LASIK and cataract surgeons featured on our website have often served as moderators and participants on panels at meetings and have taught courses to fellow surgeons.

8. Certified to Train Other Refractive Surgeons in the Use of Lasers and/or Other Devices for LASIK and Other 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.

9. Academic Appointments at Universities, Clinics 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 at Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ have an academic appointment, not every eye surgeon listed at our website has one.

Many of the refractive surgeons 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.

Of the few remaining surgeons who we include in our directory who have not had a faculty appointment, they often practice in a smaller city where they do not live near a medical school or teaching hospital where they could have a faculty appointment at an ophthalmology department. In such cases, we feel these surgeons are still very qualified based on their professional credentials.

10. 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 300 and perhaps no more than 500 eye doctors have participated in FDA studies as a principal or co-investigator 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 eye surgeons listed in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and  Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ directories have been involved in the FDA studies as principal or co-investigators or research fellows 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 Eye Institute of the NIH (National Institute of Health), which also chooses surgeons based on their professional accomplishments and integrity.

These Qualifications Make Sense To Me. What’s Next?

Take control of your vision today ... in the 3 simple steps.

  1. Review. Review the profile of a surgeon featured in our vision correction surgery experts directory.
  2. Compare. Compare the qualifications of a surgeon you find here with other eye doctors you are considering.
  3. Choose. Choose your expert vision correction surgeon from our directory with confidence.

Once you have found a surgeon you are interested in meeting from our directory of LASIK and cataract surgeons, we invite you to review the surgeon’s profile and compare their qualifications with other doctors you are considering.

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

When you meet with a surgeon listed in our expert LASIK and cataract and refractive surgeons directory, please let the doctor and his or her staff know you found them through Trusted LASIK Surgeons™.

Download one of our free special reports including Cost of LASIK Consumer Checklist.


To find a vision correction expert surgeon for LASIK, refractive or cataract surgery who has qualified to be featured  in our Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™ directories, please visit:

Find a Trusted LASIK Surgeon™

Find a Cataract Surgeon™

The screening process and standards for membership in our directories can be found at:

Qualifications and Standards Used for by Trusted LASIK Surgeons™ and Trusted Cataract Surgeons™

Questions about the Cost of LASIK?

Choosing an expert LASIK surgeon can be more affordable than you think. Please visit our True Cost of LASIK Discussion and download our Consumer Checklist on the Price of LASIK from our complimentary Special LASIK Reports page of our website.

Have a question about LASIK or cataract surgery or your vision in general?

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