The most popular type of laser eye surgery, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), is often the best choice for vision correction for the majority of individuals who have nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and even astigmatism. This FDA-approved laser vision correction method successfully corrects refractive problems and enables a patient to do away with or lessen their dependence on glasses or contacts. The majority of patients achieve 20/20 vision for the first time following LASIK without the need for corrective lenses.
The decision to have LASIK vision correction surgery is a significant one, and the success of your procedure will be greatly influenced by the surgeon you select. Therefore, it is crucial to make an informed decision and ask pertinent questions when comparing Washington DC LASIK surgeons. Asking questions and learning what makes one LASIK physician different from another is crucial because not all LASIK surgeons are the same. At Brusco Vision, we want to ensure that you receive personalized care, are well-informed about your vision correction options in the Washington DC area, and are confident in your decision to get LASIK surgery with our skilled LASIK specialist. When considering any LASIK surgeon, asking the following questions is crucial.
How many LASIK surgeries have you performed?
We realize that everyone started somewhere, but the surgeon’s credentials and LASIK experience should speak for themselves. Ideally, your LASIK surgeon should have completed 10,000 or more procedures. Furthermore, experienced LASIK surgeons ought to be performing LASIK surgeries frequently, which shows that their skills are “in shape.”
Given this, one of the greatest questions you can ask a doctor is, “Have you ever declined a patient’s request for LASIK surgery?” In a perfect world, the answer would be, “Yes, I have.” Unfortunately, not all patients are ideal LASIK candidates, and the surgeon’s answer to this question will show you where their priorities lie.
If the surgeon asserts that no patient has ever been turned away, this may be a sign that financial gain takes precedence over the patient’s overall success and long-term well-being, and you should find another surgeon. The health and safety of the patient should always be the top priorities of any great LASIK surgeon.
Dr. Brusco has personally performed close to 1% of all LASIK procedures in the United States annually in the recent past. He believes there is no one-size-fits-all solution to vision correction and, therefore, only recommends a vision correction procedure that will provide the best possible outcome for each patient’s unique needs.
What is your success rate for the procedure?
Laser eye surgeries can fix a variety of vision issues, including visual acuity and visual perception, as well as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Your surgeon should have had success using LASIK surgery to treat patients with the type and severity of visual impairment that you have. Knowing that the surgeon has successfully conducted hundreds or maybe thousands of LASIK procedures on people with comparable vision problems will put your mind at ease.
Do you only LASIK, or do you offer the full portfolio of refractive vision correction procedures?
Knowing whether the vision correction surgeon you are researching solely does LASIK or provides a broad range of vision correction options is essential. Working with a physician who offers not only LASIK therapy but also its cutting-edge alternatives is vital because there is no one method of vision correction that is optimal for all patients. Some doctors who solely perform LASIK eye surgery may frequently try to fit you into the procedure, even if it isn’t the best option for your particular needs. At Brusco Vision, we are experts in a variety of vision correction surgical procedures and strive to provide the best results for every patient. Never will we suggest a procedure for which you are not a good candidate; instead, we will work with you to choose the vision correction procedure that best satisfies your needs and vision objectives.
We are not in the business of advertising a specific laser, method, or piece of advanced technology; rather, we are in the business of getting our patients clear vision. Our technical expertise allows us to match your eyes with the most suitable and efficient procedure for your particular needs. We are dedicated to selecting the option that gives you the clearest vision, the lowest risk, the most comfort, and the most degree of future flexibility. Be wary of eye doctors or facilities that specialize in just one or two types of vision correction procedures; they may be less open to new ideas, even if those ideas may benefit their patients.
Dr. Brusco has developed a unique understanding of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to providing the best visual results thanks to his experience performing vision correction procedures in three different settings (academic medical center, military facility, and large corporate chain). Dr. Brusco has performed over 45,000 total vision correction surgeries, including SBK LASIK, ASA PRK, CLR, ICL, and refractive cataract surgery, and focuses on leading the way with new technology.
Why is it important to choose a surgeon that offers more than just LASIK?
Your vision correction procedure should be customized to your unique needs; thus, it’s crucial to find a surgeon that performs LASIK and its alternatives. It’s okay if you don’t meet the requirements for LASIK surgery. Although it may be disheartening to learn that you are not a LASIK candidate, it is preferable to work with a surgeon who values your needs over their bottom line, even if it means telling you that LASIK is not an option.
When LASIK doctors force a patient into a vision correction procedure for which they are not a good candidate, it can result in problems and the requirement for additional refractive surgery. While talking about LASIK, it’s important to be upfront and truthful with your eye doctor about your medical background. A competent refractive surgeon will want to make sure that you are a strong candidate for the procedure and that you have a good chance of having a successful outcome.
Finding a refractive surgeon with experience in other refractive surgery techniques is another reason it’s critical to look for one that also provides LASIK alternatives. Many patients are misled into thinking that LASIK eye surgery is their only option for vision correction after being told they are not candidates for it. LASIK was their sole option at that particular LASIK center, but they do have other vision correction options elsewhere they might not know about.
At Brusco Vision, our eye surgeon, Dr. Brusco, is an expert in not only SBK LASIK but also Visian ICL surgery, SMILE, ASA PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), Custom Lens Replacement, and Refractive Cataract Surgery. Our patients will always leave our office feeling encouraged that there is hope for clearer vision and informed of all of their options for vision correction.
Find your perfect vision correction solution
Take the Vision Procedure Self-Test
Who will be performing the surgery, and what is their training?
Is your surgeon permanently based at the LASIK facility you’ll be using? Or does he travel to different LASIK facilities to perfom eye surgeries around the country? It is important to know precisely who will be operating on your eyes during your LASIK procedure. Avoid LASIK Eye Centers with LASIK Surgeons based in different cities and states. These ophthalmologists fly in, perform your procedure, and then leave once they are done. What happens if you need to see your surgeon right away during your recovery? You will most likely need to see another LASIK surgeon or technician if your surgeon is based elsewhere.
Every piece of LASIK equipment is different, which is another disadvantage of “traveling surgeons.” Each piece of equipment has a slightly variable calibration, even if your surgeon uses the same type of equipment across many offices. Dr. Brusco will be present for your LASIK procedure before, during, and after it is performed, and he is based at our Washington, D.C. office. He also has a deep understanding of the laser technology used in our Brusco Vision office.
It’s imperative to find out as much as you can about the background of the surgeon doing the treatment. Each surgeon must adhere to certain standards, but their level of expertise varies. When selecting a doctor, qualifications are always important. When selecting a LASIK surgeon to operate on your eyes, qualifications are essential.
Find an eye doctor who has earned board certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology. Board-certified LASIK specialists have completed years of surgical training, obtained their medical degree from a reputable institution, and regularly participate in continuing education seminars to stay current on the most recent advancements in laser vision correction. The surgeon should ideally have fellowship training and be an authority on corneal surgery.
An excellent indication that a surgeon has the expertise required to conduct challenging laser vision correction procedures is membership in a medical organization like the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
How in-depth is the eye exam at the initial LASIK consultation?
When determining whether or not someone is a good candidate for LASIK surgery, many LASIK clinics will just do two tests on the patient. To ensure that LASIK is the best procedure for your eyes, it is crucial to get a comprehensive eye examination that includes multiple tests.
At Brusco Vision, the Advanced Necessary Ocular and Vision Analysis (ANOVA) is the foundation for every single successful procedure for vision correction. You will be expertly guided through this quick and painless process on your initial visit with us. One of the many factors making Brusco Vision a one-of-a-kind facility is its panel of the most cutting-edge and proven diagnostic tests available today.
How much does the initial consultation cost to determine if I’m a candidate for LASIK cost?
Free initial LASIK consultations are offered by some laser eye surgery clinics in an effort to draw clients to their facility. Sadly, a free LASIK consultation can be a little misleading because, at these types of vision centers, the costs associated with your testing and examination are ultimately passed on to the patient. LASIK surgeons and their employees frequently use aggressive sales techniques and recommend a surgery that may not be the most suitable for you in order to avoid losing money on the free consultation.
At Brusco Vision, our consultation, which is usually free, promotes open communication and upfront costs. Every step of the way, we provide high-quality medical services and will only suggest a procedure if it is really the best option for your eyes.
What does the LASIK cost include?
Make sure the cost of LASIK is all-inclusive, meaning that it includes the surgery as well as preoperative and postoperative services when comparing costs between eye surgeons. This ensures that there are no unpleasant surprises and that you receive the highest quality service. Pricing with restrictions or exceptions can put your finances in danger and lead to unforeseen extra costs.
With all-inclusive pricing, you can relax knowing that all of your needs will be met. LASIK costs should typically include all laser center visits before, during, and after the surgery. You may want to look into the following coverage options if you’re researching all-inclusive LASIK rates:
-
Prescriptions needed before and after the procedure, in addition to anesthetic (numbing eyedrops)
-
Cost of facilities and personnel
-
Items that are disposed of after use, like gloves and surgical gowns
-
Cost of using lasers (Occasionally, there is a tiny additional fee added only to utilize the laser)
At Brusco Vision, there won’t be any unforeseen costs before, during, or after your LASIK eye surgery because our LASIK price is all-inclusive. Working with a team of professionals that are dedicated to providing you with top-notch service throughout the entire process also offers you the peace of mind that you need.
What type of LASIK technology do you use?
Technology for vision correction is ever-evolving. Modern techniques like All-laser LASIK, bladeless LASIK, and custom wavefront LASIK allow surgeons to tailor the course of treatment to be more precise and accurate. A skilled LASIK surgeon invests in the most modern technology and advancements to provide a safe patient experience and great visual acuity results. Femtosecond laser flaps help to produce a result that is safer. It is essential to use wavefront lasers with the most recent software upgrades. These are some things you can discuss with a potential surgeon to see what type of technology they use and how important they believe it is to the success of their LASIK procedures.
The most cutting-edge excimer laser technology is used by Brusco Vision, and it is so accurate that it can write letters on a human hair strand. All of this advanced LASIK technology, though, is useless without a qualified, knowledgeable LASIK surgeon like Dr. Brusco to program and direct it.
How do you handle follow-up care and monitoring of the patientâs progress?
After LASIK surgery, patients should schedule follow-up consultations with their LASIK surgeon. These post-operative visits with the surgeon help him make sure the patients are healing properly and without any complications. If any issues are discovered by the eye surgeon at a follow-up visit, they can be resolved right away.
During these follow-up appointments, patients are encouraged to express any questions or concerns they may have. This is an excellent way to assist individuals in their recovery and identify issues before they get out of hand. For the best continuity of care, it is crucial to schedule an appointment with the surgeon who performed your treatment. It is not ideal and can lead to misunderstanding for both the patient and the provider if the surgeon you choose for your LASIK surgery only sees you during the operation and not before or after.
You will visit with Dr. Brusco before, during, and after your LASIK eye surgery in Washington, D.C. at Brusco Vision, your surgeon is on call to respond to questions and make sure your recovery is going as planned.
How do you determine if a patient is a good candidate for LASIK?
LASIK may be a fantastic procedure for you if you have reached ocular maturity (often about age 18), have a healthy cornea, and have nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, or astigmatism. Also, your contact lens or eyeglass prescription must show that your eyes have been somewhat stable for the past year or so. Your initial visit includes a comprehensive diagnostic workup using the most modern technology and multiple tests to assess your eye health. After having your eyes assessed, you will meet with Dr. Brusco, your surgeon, to discuss the ideal vision correction procedure customized just for you as well as other valuable information relevant to the health of your eyes.
You only have one life, and you should be able to live it without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Now is the time for clear vision! Visit our website or give the Brusco Vision office a call right away to find out more about the vision correction procedures we provide or to set up your LASIK consultation. We look forward to being a part of your journey to visual freedom.
