Choosing a LASIK surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make for your vision. LASIK can free you from glasses, contacts, and other corrective lens options for years to come, and the surgeon you trust with your eyes shapes every part of that experience, from your first eye examination to your final result. At Modern Vision Centers in West Des Moines, Iowa, we want every patient to understand what sets an expert LASIK surgeon apart so they can make a confident, informed choice.
What Should I Look for First When Choosing a LASIK Surgeon?
One of the first things to consider is whether a surgeon specializes in vision correction. Many eye doctors offer LASIK as one service among dozens, while others dedicate their careers to vision correction. A surgeon whose daily work centers on refractive surgery sees a wider range of eyes, manages more complex prescriptions, and stays current with the newest techniques. You also want a practice that keeps you at the center of the conversation. Be cautious of any office that promises a result before measuring your eyes or recommends LASIK to every person who walks through the door.
At Modern Vision Centers, our physicians focus exclusively on vision correction. As a physician-owned practice, the surgeons who care for you are the same people who set our standards of care. Every patient receives honest guidance, even when that guidance is that LASIK is not the best fit.
What Qualifications Should a LASIK Surgeon in Iowa Have?
At a minimum, your LASIK surgeon should be a licensed physician and a board-certified ophthalmologist. Board certification in ophthalmology confirms broad training in eye care and eye surgery, but it does not specifically measure skill in laser vision correction. For that reason, many patients also look for fellowship training in cataract and refractive surgery, along with credentials that verify expertise in this subspecialty.
One of the most meaningful of these credentials is Fellowship in the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences (WCRS). Earning it requires documented surgical volume across multiple vision correction procedures, peer review of surgical outcomes, oral examinations before expert panels, and ongoing education focused on refractive surgery. Only a small fraction of LASIK surgeons in the country have achieved it.
Dr. Drew Dickson, MD, PCEO, is the only WCRS Fellow in Iowa. A Clear Lake native, Dr. Dickson completed his ophthalmology residency at the Storm Eye Institute and his fellowship training in cataract and refractive surgery at Kugler Vision in Omaha before returning home to care for Iowa patients. He practices alongside Dr. Brandon Menke, MD, a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist and cataract expert. You can learn more about this distinction in our article on Dr. Dickson’s World College of Refractive Surgery Fellowship.
How Much Experience Should My LASIK Surgeon Have?
Experience matters in any surgery, and LASIK is no exception. A surgeon who performs refractive procedures every week develops a sharper eye for the details that influence outcomes, such as corneal thickness, corneal shape, and how a prescription for near-sightedness or astigmatism is likely to respond to treatment. It is completely reasonable to ask how often your surgeon performs LASIK and which other vision correction procedures they perform regularly.
Breadth of experience is just as valuable as volume. A surgeon trained in only one procedure may be inclined to recommend that procedure for everyone. Dr. Dickson performs seven different vision correction surgeries at Modern Vision Centers – LASIK, SMILE, PRK, EVO ICL, Refractive Lens Exchange, Laser Cataract Surgery, and Blended Vision. That range allows our team to recommend the option that fits your eyes rather than the one that fits a single skill set.
What LASIK Technology Should a Practice Use?
Technology and surgical skill work hand in hand. Modern LASIK should be all-laser and bladeless, using one laser to create the corneal flap and an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. It is also worth asking whether the practice uses corneal topography, which maps the unique surface of your cornea in fine detail. That map allows treatment to be customized beyond what a standard eyeglass prescription can capture, supporting sharper visual acuity and clearer visual perception after surgery.
At Modern Vision Centers, we use the Wavelight EX500 excimer laser, which allows our surgeons to perform both Wavefront Optimized and Contoura Topography-Guided LASIK. We also do not sell LASIK in tiered packages, so every patient receives the same advanced technology regardless of cost. You can read more about our approach in Advanced LASIK Technology Des Moines.
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Why Does a Thorough Eye Examination Matter Before LASIK?
A careful pre-surgical evaluation is one of the clearest signs of a quality LASIK practice. An experienced surgeon wants to know far more than your current prescription. Your evaluation should measure corneal thickness and shape, assess your tear film, examine the natural lens and retina, and confirm that your eyeglass prescription has been stable. Together, these measurements reveal whether LASIK is safe for you and which approach is most likely to deliver a predictable result.
Every patient at Modern Vision Centers begins with our EyeAnalysis, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that gives your surgeon the detailed information needed to build a personalized plan. Dr. Dickson recently explained on WHO13 why Modern Vision Centers runs so many eye tests and how each one contributes to a safer outcome.
What Questions Should I Ask During My LASIK Consultation?
Your consultation is your opportunity to get to know your surgeon and decide whether you feel comfortable moving forward. Helpful questions to ask include:
- Will I meet with the surgeon who will perform my procedure?
- How often do you perform LASIK and other vision correction surgeries?
- Am I a good candidate, and if not, what other options are available to me?
- What technology will you use to measure and treat my eyes?
- Who manages my follow-up care, and what happens if my vision changes later in life?
At Modern Vision Centers, you meet directly with your surgeon, and we take the time to answer every question in detail. If LASIK is not the right fit, we will walk you through other options so you leave your visit with a clear path forward.
What Kind of Follow-Up Care Should I Expect After LASIK?
Quality care continues well after surgery day. Your surgeon should check your healing closely in the days and weeks following LASIK and remain available if questions come up. It also helps to choose a practice that plans for the long term, since everyone’s eyes continue to change naturally with age.
Our VisionTrack program is a lifelong plan designed to support your vision through every stage of life. Because our practice offers the full range of vision correction procedures, the same team that performs your LASIK surgery today can guide you through future decisions as your needs evolve.
Ready to Meet a LASIK Expert in Des Moines, Iowa?
The right LASIK surgeon combines verified credentials, broad surgical experience, advanced technology, and a genuine commitment to your long-term results. At Modern Vision Centers, you will find all of these in a welcoming, physician-owned clinic in West Des Moines, led by Iowa’s only WCRS Fellow. Imagine waking up and seeing clearly, with no more reaching for glasses to start your everyday life.
Start your journey to visual freedom today. Take our LASIK Self-Test to see if you may be a candidate, call us at (515) 674-2020, or book your consultation online. We look forward to helping you See Life Clearly.
Medically Reviewed By:
Drew Dickson, MD, PCEO
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Fellowship-Trained Refractive Surgeon, WCRS
Last reviewed October 19, 2026