Selecting a Surgeon for Lasik

I would appreciate advice. I'm choosing b/n two surgeons in Austin,
TX. One (Dr. Stephen Dell) has undoubtedly performed the most lasik
surgeries in the area (thousands). Roughly 5 years ago he was
considered the best surgeon in Austin for lasik. However, he's too
busy to see patients except to perform the surgery. The other is my
long-time doctor (Dr. Thomas Henderson). He's had many years of
surgical experience, & has performed about 700 lasik surgeries since
1997. He's personable & will spend time w/ me discussing it pre-op, &
is easily accessible if I have post-op questions or problems. Both use
the same facilities (lasers & assisting technicians). Thanks in
advance.

BTW, if it matters, my prescription is 4.50 & hasn't changed in years.

Since your only stated concern with the surgeon who has more
experience is that the surgeon does not do all of the preop and postop
care, it appears to me that your real question is whether or not
comanagement by allied personnel (including optometrists) is
appropriate. The answer to that question is that comanagement most
certainly can be appropriate.

What you probably should focus on are the patient outcomes with the
two systems. If the comanaged environment provides better outcomes,
then that is where you should focus your consideration regardless who
does what. If the outcomes are essentially the same, then your bias
toward the surgeon doing all the work would be in play. Obviously, you
don't want to go where the outcomes are inferior.

I highly recommend that you use our 50 Tough Questions For Your Doctor
at http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/tough_questions.htm to help select a
surgeon.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes.org

"Consider and Choose With Confidence"

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

Glenn makes some good points, but here are some additional
considerations.

Distinctions such as "best surgeon in ..... (Dallas, or New York, or
anywhere) are dubious at best, and are little more than marketing
tools.

Another dubious distinction is that of having the highest volume of
surgeries, as if the goal is to laser the eyes of every man, woman, or
child within reach.

Outcomes, as Glenn said, is a far more useful metric. Unfortunately,
doctors generally resent having such yardsticks applied to them by any
outside agency.

DrG

It's a tough decision. I feel disloyal toward my long-time doctor if I
go to his competitor, & I feel I can never go back to him. Most likely
he's perfectly competent at this but how can I be sure? He's probably
doing 100 lasiks a year & the USAEyes.org site says to look for 250
refractive procedures as a minimum. Is this iron-clad?

Indeed, that is your conundrum. Your all, as it were.

Actually, some of the highest volume refractive surgeons in my area do
not co-manage. They employ their own technicians and optometrists.

DrG

Dr. Leukoma wrote:

> Indeed, that is your conundrum. Your all, as it were.

Obviously, I meant "Your call, as it were."

DrG