Narrowing Down Your Choice of Laser Eye Surgery Clinics
With so many resources available at our fingertips, it has become increasingly easy to spend more and more time planning and researching. While this can be a good thing, it can also mean that we spend less time actually doing.
This is true for many things – whether it’s buying a new house or car, going on holiday, redecorating the living room, or simply buying a new yoga mat! But, of course, it is especially true when it comes to taking the plunge on more serious decisions, such as having Laser Eye Surgery.
The internet is an amazing place where all manner of information can be found in a matter of seconds. But with so many sources, it can be hard to know which information deserves the most attention. In such a setting, an opinion-based article in a tabloid newspaper can often receive more readers than a scientific study. After all, research papers are generally no fun for the average person!
And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are then all manner of high-street chain providers, review sites, and advertisements that can simply make Laser Eye Surgery research completely overwhelming. So, to help you navigate this oversaturated online environment, we’ve put together some simple things you should take a look at when choosing a Laser Eye Surgery clinic.
1. Online Reviews
There is nothing like a first-hand experience to help us make a decision. Whether you’re trying to decide where to eat on a romantic date, or indeed, where to go for your Laser Eye Surgery treatment, the experiences of others can play a huge role in our choices.
This can be through a conversation with someone who has had the procedure (it’s highly likely you know someone who has!) or, of course, through online reviews. But it is important to remember that not all reviews are created equal. In fact, there are many factors that you should consider when determining the reliability of a review, especially online.
Of course, sensationalist stories in tabloid newspapers should often be taken with a pinch of salt. But the same can be true when it comes to reviews published directly on a clinic’s website.
A good rule to follow when seeking out reviews of a treatment or clinic is to rely on independent review sites, such as Trustpilot. These sites uphold strict regulations and operate with zero involvement with either the reviewer or the service provider being reviewed. This makes for much more trustworthy accounts.
At London Vision Clinic, we are proud to have received over 2,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot; check them out for yourself!
However, it is also important to consider several other factors. For instance, how long ago did the reviewer have Laser Eye Surgery, and what kind of treatment did they have?
The Laser Eye Surgery field has advanced significantly in recent years. It is now suitable for a wider range of prescriptions than ever before. Which brings us to another important point: When considering other people’s experience with Laser Eye Surgery, always try to find accounts of patients with a similar prescription to yours. This is important as outcomes can vary based on the severity of the prescription.
2. The Clinic’s Homepage
A clinic’s website homepage can be compared to a reception or the shop window of a business. Here, you should be able to find all of the most important information, or at least be directed towards it. It can also give you a feel for the clinic itself, which is pretty important!
Just like entering a clinic from the street or sitting in a waiting room, a homepage can give you an idea of how much care a clinic has for its patients and how much pride it has in the service it provides.
A clear, concise, and even enjoyable website is a good indication that a clinic cares about the patient experience. After all, they should be focused on making you feel as comfortable and well-informed as possible! On the other hand, poorly designed websites convey a sense of carelessness and overlook the small but important details that contribute to your experience.
3. Trust
Trust may not be as tangible as an endless supply of online reviews, ratings, and research papers, but it is an incredibly important factor when choosing a Laser Eye Surgery clinic.
Trust is an amalgamation of things that come together to create a sense of security and comfort. Of course, the other things mentioned in this article contribute to the perceived trustworthiness of any given clinic. But trust also involves things like meeting clinic staff, including your potential surgeon, in person. This allows you to learn first-hand about their experience, the staff-to-patient ratio of the clinic, and the standards of the clinic.
And for this, it is usually necessary to visit your potential Laser Eye Surgery clinic. Moreover, this allows you to learn more about the thoroughness of their screening process, the quality of their technology and equipment, and their track record with patients like you.
When all of these considerations come together, it should make it easier to put your trust in a clinic and the treatments on offer. And when that happens, you can finally stop researching and finally go ahead with the process!
When all of these things come together, they can allow you to put your trust in a clinic. And when you can put your trust in a clinic, you can be free to move on from researching and to finally go ahead with the process.
If you’d like to learn more about our Laser Eye Surgery treatments, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out if you could be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery – most people are!