My List of Questions for Ophthalmologists (as a 29-yo ICL Candidate)

My List of Questions for Ophthalmologists

How many ICL procedures have you completed thus far? If you're uncertain of the number, for how many years have you been performing such procedures?

How will ICL surgery impact my life as an endurance athlete (runner and cyclist)?

In your professional opinion, considering the health of my eyes and my lifelong progression of myopia/astigmatism, would you deem me an exceptional candidate for ICL surgery?

If you were in my position (accounting for my age, sex, race, health, and any associated risk factors), assuming finances are not a constraint, would you choose to have ICL surgery over alternative options like wearing eyeglasses and/or contact lenses?

Have you had ICL surgery or another refractive procedure? If so, how would you rate your personal experience? If not, for what reason and have any of your immediate family members or close friends done so?

How much is the total out-of-pocket cost of the procedure (with and without financing, if available) for a patient like me, including mandatory pre-operative examination and scheduled post-operative treatment? And how does it compare to the prices of other offices in the USA offering the same procedure?

What percentage of your patients experience unexpected and MILD complications (such as abnormally persistent intraocular pressure and chronic optical distortions like halos/glare) following surgery? And what percentage of those patients FULLY recover from such complications?

What percentage of your patients experience unexpected and SEVERE complications (such as vision loss, inflammation/infection, cataract formation, secondary glaucoma, retinal detachment, iris atrophy, traumatic dislocation) following surgery? And what percentage of those patients FULLY recover from such complications?

Based on my current condition and my pattern of eye-related medical history, for how many years would you reasonably anticipate that I will enjoy 20/20 vision (or marginally close to 20/20 vision) before it noticeably degrades?

Is this surgical procedure accompanied by a warranty guaranteeing some level of satisfaction? If so, what is the fixed length of said warranty and what complications does it cover?

If I undergo a prolonged increase in intraocular pressure or my prescription changes substantially and I require my ICL to be adjusted/replaced/removed, how much would that cost me?

Are you qualified to insert the EVO ICL for patients? If so, will my procedure feature an EVO ICL or a traditional ICL?

Will my ICL include built-in 100% UVA/UVB protection from the sun’s rays?

Will an ICL disqualify me from undergoing a clinically-prescribed MRI examination or any other form of facial scan in the future?

Would you recommend a spherical or cylindrical (a.k.a. toric) ICL for me? And are you confident the size, shape, and position of the lens selected for me will fit my eye well?

Do current FDA guidelines approve of the performance of elective ICL procedures to correct the mild myopia and astigmatism of a patient in my circumstances? If the answer is no, do you wholeheartedly believe in the safety and efficacy of such “off-label” practices?

What steps, if any, do you take during and after an ICL operation to minimize corneal endothelial cell loss? Considering the cells do not regenerate, does this phenomenon concern you?

Assuming finances are not a limiting factor, would you personally recommend another corrective procedure (LASIK, SMILE, PRK, RLE, etc.) over ICL for a patient with my optical health and prescription/measurements?

What is the self-care routine I am expected to adhere to following my ICL procedure? And what kind of post-operative restrictions are placed on patients after an ICL procedure?

What in particular about your knowledge or expertise sets your standard of care apart from that of other ophthalmologists in the metro Atlanta area and abroad?