Questions worth asking any private eye surgeon

Most people choose an eye surgeon once. There is no accumulated experience to draw on, the marketing is confident, and the differences that matter are not the ones the advertising talks about. These questions are worth asking anywhere, including here.

Who will actually perform the surgery?

At some providers the surgeon you meet at the consultation is not the one who operates, and you may not learn who will until shortly beforehand. Ask directly, and ask whether the same person does your follow-up.

How many of these do you do, and what are your outcomes?

A surgeon should be able to tell you their own numbers rather than the manufacturer’s or the hospital’s. Be a little wary of national averages offered in place of a personal answer.

What happens if the result is not what we planned?

Refractive outcomes are predicted, not guaranteed. Ask what proportion of patients need an adjustment, what that involves, and — importantly — who pays for it.

What is genuinely included in the price?

Compare packages carefully. Some quotes exclude the consultation, the follow-up appointments, drops, or treatment for the second eye. A cheaper headline figure is not always cheaper.

What are the disadvantages of the lens you are recommending?

Every lens type involves a trade-off. Multifocal lenses reduce dependence on glasses but can cause glare and haloes at night. A surgeon who describes only advantages is not giving you enough to decide with.

And one for yourself

Did you feel able to say no? A consultation that ends with a deposit request and a price valid until Friday is a sales meeting. There is never a clinical reason to decide about elective eye surgery on the day.