Lasik doctor with 6k or doctor with 30k?

[GeneralPatientInquiry]

Hello,

I have a consultation with a doctor certified by USAEyes.org this month. They have only done 6k lasik procedures each. Whereas Dr. K and Dr. M claimed to have done over 30k each. Do you know anything about Dr. K or Dr. M?

Thanks,
Hoa

[LasikExpert]

I am familiar with both Dr. K and Dr. M. They both have a good reputation in the ophthalmic community. I would, of course, have a bias toward a doctor who has been evaluated by our organization, but you could use our 50 Tough Questions For Your Lasik Doctor to help evaluate Dr. K and Dr. M.

There is little advantage to getting into a numbers race. After the first 500 or so of any surgical procedure the doctor should have the requisite practical knowledge necessary. Think of the most difficult task you perform. Do it 500 times. Are you going to be any better at 501 than you were at 499?

There is probably not going to be much difference be surgery number 6,001 and surgery number 30,001, as far as base skill is concerned.

[GeneralPatientInquiry]

Hi Glenn,

What's safer? Epi-Lasek or Lasik? I'm scared of the blade.

Thanks,
Hoa

[LasikExpert]

Hoa,

Both Epi-LASIK and LASIK require the attachment of a microkeratome to the eye with suction. This raises the intraocular pressure significantly, but only for a short time. Epi-LASIK will make a superficial flap of only epithelial cells. LASIK will make a deeper flap of stromal tissue. The epithelial flap heals to exactly the same condition as before surgery. The stromal flap heals, but not exactly as before surgery. See Lasik Flap Healing.

If you need 6.00 diopters or less of correction and are able to deal with the short-term reduce visibility, then going to the surface ablation techniques of PRK, LASEK, or Epi-LASIK seem to be reasonably appropriate alternatives. If the change is more than 6.00 diopters, then the probability of corneal haze increases significantly unless you have LASIK.