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So you have decided that you would like to get laser eye surgery, but the even bigger decision is choosing the surgeon who will carry out the procedure that will ultimately give you freedom from glasses.
What to look for in an Eye Surgeon
When investigating who to put your trust in to do your laser eye surgery, there are several crucial factors to consider and ask. For example, has the surgeon had formal refractive surgery training? Refractive surgery is the sub-speciality area in Eye Surgery that specialises in correcting peoples’ vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. How experienced and knowledgable are they in the laser eye procedure that you plan to undergo?
To be a laser eye surgeon, they must be a qualified doctor with the following minimum qualifications:
Medical Degree such as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Otago or Auckland (6 years)
Post graduate Specialist Eye training such as from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) (5 Years)
Additional Qualifications to look for include:
Has the surgeon undertaken formal training such as fellowship subspecialty training in Refractive Surgery (2 years)
Has the surgeon completed further study such as a post graduate degree in Refractive Surgery?
Finally ask about:
Surgeon’s experience in Laser Eye Surgery and other eye surgery such as Cataract Surgery and Corneal Transplant Surgery.
What treatment options are available (LASIK/LASEK/epi-LASIK/PRK/ASA/ICL). Is the procedure that is offered the specific operation that you require to achieve the best vision results for you?
Do they use FDA approved procedures and technology (US Food and Drug Administration)
Has the surgeon done any research in Refractive Surgery with published peer reviewed journal articles
Will the surgeon be the person who assesses you for surgery? Will they be the one who you see for your first post-operative check and all other post-operative follow up appointments?
Why you should trust Bowen Eye Clinic
At Bowen Eye Clinic, Laser Eye Surgeon, Dr Reece Hall is a medical graduate from Otago University and completed his ophthalmology training in Wellington. He has completed further training for two years overseas with Professor Graham Barrett in Perth on Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgery and with Professor Donald Tan in Singapore on Cornea and Refractive Surgery and has a Master of Medicine (MMed Refractive Surgery). He has over 8 years experience in Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) and over 12 years experience with Cataract, Pterygium and Cornea Surgery.
At Bowen Eye Clinic, Dr Reece Hall is the person who will take ultimate responsibility for the care of your eyes. He will do your pre-assessment testing and plan your personalised procedure with you. LASIK and Laser Blended Vision are available, and if your glasses strength is higher than what is suitable for LASIK, alternative options may be offered such as Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) or a Staar ICL. Dr Reece Hall provides continuity of care and will see you for all your post-operative checks.
It is normal to have a lot of questions and concerns if you’re considering Laser eye Surgery as you determine which clinic is right for you.
If you would like to have an informal, no-obligation conversation with Dr Reece Hall at Bowen Eye Clinic, call us on 0800 69 2020 to make an appointment.