My aunt needs an unusually tricky kind of cataract surgery on her eyes soon, one that involves the cornea as well as the lens. She would like to know if there’s a web site that shows how many times her opthalmologist has performed this particular kind of cataract surgery – as distinct from the usual, routine kind – and what percentage have been successful.
I’ve found web sites that show all kinds of boad certifications, hospital affiliations, and disciplinary actions. I’ve also found web sites that allow patients to rate their doctors on such things as bedside manner. None of those are what I’m really looking for.
Does anyone know some place to look? TIA.
Ed
No agency that I know of keeps track of that sort of thing (with the possible exception of open heart surgery). When my newborn son needed surgery for a hand defect it took his pediatrician a few months to find a surgeon he felt had enough experience with that surgery. He just kept calling colleagues and surgeons until he found someone in NYC who did that surgery for free on 15-20 patients a year in South America. I recommend you speak with her doctor or make some calls yourself. Good luck to you and your aunt.
Have you checked with the hospital or clinic the surgeon is associated with? If they’re a reputable place, they should be happy to give you that information. If not, you might want to start looking around for a good surgeon at another facility that is more open about its operations.
Another good place to check would be your aunt’s personal physician. She or he might be familiar with the surgeon’s work and reputation within the medical community.
You might also want to check with your state’s medical association, but I doubt they keep any records that are quite that specific. They might be able to direct you to the correct source, though.
Thanks in any case. I’ll pass on what I can.
Ed