The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance lists many questions on its website. Here are some of them:
- How many years have you been performing refractive surgery procedures? (Not fewer than three years.)
- How many total operations have you performed? (Not less than 500.)
- How many refractive procedures of the exact type you intend to use for me, with the same equipment, and the same refractive error, have you performed? (Not less than 100.)
- What percent of your refractive surgery patients receive Snellen uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better? (The CRSQA says you should be suspicious of any number that is greater than 90 percent, which is the norm.)
- What percentage achieved 20/20 or better? (Around 65 percent is the norm; ask for proof if a higher number is stated.)
- Will you provide me the names and contact information of at least ten previous patients who have had the exact same surgery with similar refractive error?
- Have you ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?
- Have you had your license to perform refractive surgery revoked, suspended or restricted?
Here are some additional questions:
- What kind of laser do you use?
- How often is your laser calibrated?(The Laser should be recalibrated at least every 4th use) What kind of microkeratome do you use?
- How often is the microkeratome incisor changed?(A new incisor should be used for every patient)
- What financing options do you offer? Are pre and post op visits included in the cost?
- How many post op visits are included in the cost?
- Are additional post op visits for emergencies free?