The LASIK seminar is an excellent way to obtain basic information about laser refractive surgery in an open, comfortable fashion. It is often held near the excimer laser itself and a tour of the surgical facilities may be provided. Video presentations help to clarify the nature, benefits and risks of LASIK surgery. Attendees are encouraged to provide the seminar leader with their own glasses or contact lens prescriptions to help determine eligibility for surgery and a general view toward the end result.

So, what's wrong with going to a seminar? Nothing. Like I said, it's a good way to 'obtain basic information.' But you have to keep a few things in mind.

I don't know of any LASIK seminars sponsored by nonprofit education groups to promote the level of LASIK awareness in our community. I don't know of any university courses offered in refractive surgery . I don't know of any critical level of 'need to know' this information to make a person more complete.

These seminars are selling tools... They are designed to lure you, the bespectacled consumer, onto that expensive reclining chair situated directly beneath that flickering red light. Along the way, you may be the beneficiary of a ton of information, a diet Coke and some cookies, but the whole point is to make you a donor (of some serious cash.)

It's easy to get lost in the swirl of new information, high tech video, superexpensive lasers, and the glittering glow of a highly personable seminar leader. Don't. This is no way to select a LASIK surgeon for the only two eyes you will ever have. Don't let the emotion and energy of the event make you lose sight of the right way to do things.

Part two. Have you noticed my references to the 'seminar leader'? Yep, that's right. Not the LASIK surgeon. Maybe not even a medical doctor. Somebody else. Somebody who you may never see again. Somebody who certainly does not have a professional relationship with you. Somebody who has something to sell.

I used to do seminars. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed giving people information, answering questions, and giving a tour of the laser. Everybody always seemed to enjoy it. And it was me, the surgeon. The seminar attendees got to know me a little bit; see what kind of person I might be (pretty laid back), get an idea of what I thought of LASIK and how much I seemed to care for my patients.

'Cause that's the bottom line. How much the LASIK surgeon cares about his/her patients. Nothing else is more important. Nothing. And you can somewhat figure this out by spending time with the surgeon and talking with the surgeon's office staff. Sorta. There's really not a good way to determine how anyone feels about anyone. But you can get a fairly good idea. Does your LASIK surgeon answer all your questions in a relaxed fashion without those body language clues that are telling you to 'move it on!'? Does the staff seem to be concerned that you know exactly where and when to go for your surgery and appointments? Is everyone on your side? Your team? You can get an idea...

One last note. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery stated in a public release that the surgeon should see his/her patients postoperatively unless there are hardship travel problems for the patient. Your surgeon should see you postoperatively. Not somebody who is not an M.D. That's one of the questions to take to your seminar.