Does Your Surgeon Have a Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery?
Don’t you wish there was a quick and easy way to draw a line between Laser Eye Surgery clinics you should avoid and ones you should go ahead with? Being aware of the credentials of your proposed Laser Eye Surgeon is a great way to start. So, let’s take a closer look at what you should be considering when choosing the right surgeon and clinic!
Regulating Laser Eye Surgery
As one of the leading Laser Eye Surgery clinics in the UK (and the world) we’ve been very vocal about the lack of regulation in the Laser Eye Surgery industry. The fact is the commercialisation of Laser Eye Surgery – though convenient, with clinics popping up on many high streets across the country – has led to the prioritisation of increased patient rotas over quality care.
Don’t get us wrong, the routes to becoming an expert Laser Eye Surgeon can be extremely varied from training for years in ophthalmology and patient care to becoming a member of professional organisations such as the British Society for Refractive Surgery, completing clinical research programs or specialist fellowships.
While it is advised that the surgeon attain accreditation from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and complete a minimum of 3 months of specialist Laser Eye Surgery training, surgeons aren’t technically required to have any specialised training to become a Laser Eye Surgeon. The person performing the surgery simply needs to be a registered doctor.
But wouldn’t you feel better knowing that your surgeon has a certificate in Laser Eye Surgery?
The Royal College Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery
The Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery is an accreditation achieved through completing a rigorous examination process. Furthermore, it is maintained only through yearly appraisals and continuing development.
Through this specialist training, surgeons are assessed for their competence and ability, not only in conducting Laser Eye Surgery procedures but also in managing the whole process effectively.
As a result, a surgeon with a certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery is fully equipped to maintain and improve on the highest industry standards, from the initial consultation where a patient is evaluated and a personalised treatment plan drawn up, to the post-op recovery and aftercare stages.
The ROC is the professional body for ophthalmologists and the only organisation to represent the speciality as a whole. The body strives for excellence in Ophthalmology—most notably through advocating the advancement of safety and performance, lobbying for stricter regulations, and striving for optimal care for patients. Its certificate remains the only independent – and the most prestigious – specialist qualification.
But not anyone can enrol for the exam. To attain the certificate, surgeons must have:
- Medical qualifications
- Specialist ophthalmic qualifications (conducted by the Royal College)
- Training or experience in ophthalmology
- Training or experience in refractive surgery
- Appraisal documentation
- Validated audits in refractive surgery
- Membership in relevant societies
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Evidence of platform-specific training
It is unsurprising then to see they have developed such a stringent examination process and recommend that anyone thinking about having Laser Eye Surgery should make sure their surgeon holds a Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery.
Nonetheless, the top Laser Eye Surgeons will take their training even further – especially when aiming. to work in the most prestigious clinics. For example, at the London Vision Clinic, surgeons are required to have completed an 18-month fellowship in Laser Refractive Surgery.
Take our founder, Professor Dan Einstein, for example. Dr Dan is one of the only surgeons in the country to have dedicated most of his career to Laser Eye Surgery. In doing so, he has contributed an immense amount to the field, from scientific reviews to developing some of the most innovative techniques and technology!
Choosing the Right (and Most Qualified) Surgeons
The Royal College does not take refractive surgery lightly. They understand what makes a good Laser Eye Surgeon, and won’t put their name to anyone they see unfit. All our surgeons here at London Vision Clinic hold a Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery from The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, among an impressive range of other qualifications.
If you’d like to learn more about the qualifications of our expert surgeons, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to start your Laser Eye Surgery story – you can rest assured you’ll be in the best hands.
