8 Critical Questions to Ask Before Selecting Your Surgeon
You may have suspected it, given how much your vision has changed lately. But hearing the official diagnosis made it real. So now, in addition to coming face-to-face with the realities of getting older (ugh), you may be feeling nervous about the whole idea of surgery. After all, your eyesight is precious.
By asking any potential surgeon these eight questions, you can feel confident you’re putting your vision in the right hands.
To save you an extra phone call, we’ve also included our answers. And if you have more questions, please let us know. That’s why we’re here!
When it comes to your health—especially something as important as your vision—you should be met with full transparency.
So ask your surgeon exactly why they’re recommending cataract removal—beyond the obvious, “Because you have cataracts.” In most cases, it’s because:
Knowing the why behind cataract removal is just as important as the how. That’s why at Benjamin Eye Institute, we listen first. We want to know exactly why you’re here and what symptoms are most bothersome, so you can feel certain you’re making the right decisions for you.
Most cataract treatment centers are full of cataract specialists. While that might sound like a good thing, there’s a hidden problem: They may only be looking at your cataracts, which means they’re not considering your whole vision picture.
It’s important to find a provider with a comprehensive view of your vision challenges. That way, you can make confident choices for the long term, rather than wasting time and money on treatments that won’t ultimately serve you well.
At Benjamin Eye Institute, we evaluate your concerns from every angle and offer thoughtful solutions that best protect your vision for life. Our services include cataract care, LASIK, cosmetic treatments, dry eye treatments, glaucoma support, retina services, and general eye health.
Ocular surgeons use one of three methods to remove cataracts:
We use only industry-leading laser technology. It’s exceptionally precise, allowing exact measurements, targeted treatment, and optimal positioning for your replacement lens. You’ll enjoy consistent, predictable, fast, and comfortable results.
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) replace the affected lens after extraction. Choosing the right lens for your day-to-day life can mean the difference between better and best results
When it comes to IOLs, there’s truly no one “right” answer for everyone. We’ll help you weigh your options and guide you to a decision that fits your lifestyle, visual demands, hobbies, and overall health.
Your ocular surgeon should be able to restore and improve the quality of your vision. In fact, after your procedure, your vision should be better than it was long before you got cataracts. That’s because the replacement lens can be shaped to meet your unique vision needs
In very few cases, cataract removal causes a slight change in eyesight. When this happens many ophthalmologists will offer a LASIK procedure. But they’ll charge you an additional—and significant—fee.
We leverage specialized technology that adjusts your lens in real-time during surgery, shaping and positioning it perfectly. And your results are guaranteed. If your vision needs to be tweaked following your procedure, Dr. Benjamin will perfect it with LASIK and/or treat astigmatism free of charge.
Most cataract procedures occur in hospitals or outpatient surgery centers. That means your ophthalmologist is walking into someone else’s environment and using someone else’s technology and equipment. Not only are those added costs passed on to you, but also there’s no guarantee the equipment is well-maintained.
Benjamin Eye Institute operates our own in-house surgical suite. This allows us to control everything. We own our equipment, and we have it fine-tuned to our uncompromising specifications. Advanced climate control and state-of-the-art filtration systems protect the precision of our lasers and the cleanliness of our space.
Complications during cataract surgery are quite rare and most often result from a crooked lens implant. But regardless of how infrequently complications occur, your surgeon should be prepared for them. When it comes to your eyesight, there’s no room for do-overs.
In fact, other surgeons send their own patients to him to repair ineffective surgeries. But again: Not to worry. Most complications can be avoided simply by following the detailed post-op instructions we provide.
Your vision is priceless, so cost should be the last thing you consider. Still, we recognize the price of cataract surgery can feel daunting. The great news is cataract procedures are considered medically necessary, which means insurance typically covers a large portion of the expense.
Regardless, be sure to ask your surgeon for a written breakdown of all charges—not just their own (which is what some providers will do), but also the facility’s charges, the cost of the lenses themselves, and so on.
Don’t let life pass you by in blur! One safe surgery can open your eyes to the crisp, colorful world you've been missing. Ready to take your next step?
Say goodbye to your cataracts and hello to the best vision you’ve ever had.
