What’s More Important – The Surgeon or the Technology?

If you’ve been researching Laser Eye Surgery, you’ve probably read about the importance of the right surgeon and technology. Whether you’re considering the procedure for yourself or want to help a loved one be better informed about their options, knowledge about Laser Eye Surgery is invaluable when choosing your clinic and surgeon. So, what’s more important when considering Laser Eye Surgery – the surgeon or the technology?

Choosing a Laser Eye Surgery provider can be a difficult and confusing process. How do you know what factors are the most important? Should you opt for a clinic with an experienced surgeon who doesn’t have access to the latest technology? Or perhaps a newly qualified surgeon with the equipment to treat higher prescriptions is the better option?

As our expert surgeon, Mr Glenn Carp, explains in the video below, both your surgeon and the technology they use are extremely important in achieving the best possible results.

Access to the latest technology

Access to the latest equipment allows for better preparation in the lead-up to your treatment. For example, this allows our clinic staff to create a more accurately tailored treatment plan for every patient. Right from your initial consultation, the best equipment offers a more detailed insight into your vision and the overall health of your eyes. However, as Mr Carp notes, you will also need a good surgeon who knows how to work with the latest equipment to get the most out of it.

The most experienced surgeons

Laser Eye Surgery has now been around for around four decades; however, while the procedure has developed significantly in this time, it remains a relatively new area of medicine. Furthermore, the industry remains relatively under-regulated, meaning that Laser Eye Surgery doesn’t need to be performed by a surgeon or doctor with specialist training. Instead, surgeons can obtain a certificate from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists through a one-day examination.

Of course, many surgeons believe this isn’t enough. When choosing a surgeon, we advise you to consider individuals with speciality fellowship training in corneal surgery. Furthermore, they should also have a fellowship sub-specialty in refractive Laser Eye Surgery. It is also a good idea to consider their experience treating prescriptions similar to your own.

Ideally, you want the best laser eye surgeon operating with the best equipment and the most stringent protocols. Our expert surgeons, Professor Dan Reinstein and Mr Glenn Carp personify these criteria. If you must make a choice, we recommend always choosing the laser eye surgeon before the Laser Eye Surgery technology.

Opt for a clinic that can offer both

Of course, it should go without saying that both factors contribute greatly to the overall quality and effectiveness of the treatment. Unfortunately, not every clinic will have access to highly experienced surgeons and the latest technology. In fact, some providers may not be able to offer either.

The fact is that expertise and state-of-the-art technology both come at a price. For some Laser Eye Surgery providers, quantity is more important than quality. This means they may be unable to treat higher prescriptions or more complicated cases, but they make up for this by treating as many patients as possible.

In contrast, high-quality private clinics and independent providers often treat fewer patients but can treat a much wider range of prescriptions. This is because of their access to the best surgeons and the latest equipment and techniques. However, access to this higher level of treatment understandably comes at a higher price.