Is non-board certified Lasik doctor ok?

[eye6513]

I want to have LASIK done and have narrowed down the search to 2 facilities/doctors.  The one I prefer turns out not to be board certified even though other credentials are all ok.  How concerned should I be?  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JodieJ]

Most of the laser vision correction facilities in my area offer a no-cost evaluation.  You should probably get evaluations/recommendations from 2 or 3 of your top choices, even if you have to pay for them.  This will give you more information for selecting a surgeon.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Remember in the USA that malpractice history often has much more to do with highly sued specialties (neurosurgery, obstetrics), and cosmetic surgery (plastic surgery and refractive surgery like lasik) and certain areas of the country Northeast and Florida than with board certfication. Also studies has shown that a poor surgeon with a nice personality is less likely to be sued than a brilliant surgeon with a poor bedside manner.

JCH MD

[eye6513]

Thanks for the input.
JodieJ:
Initially I didn't even know he was not board certified.  I liked him best of all the lasik doctors I've had consultations with based on my interaction with him, his great reviews, and overall good impression, good vibes.  His credentials were not bad either but then I have noticed that he was not board certified and my doubts began.

The other doctors I've met with were extremely pushy and some did not even meet with me but sent their staff to meet with me and answer my questions, or if they did spend any time with me it was very brief and rushed and full of pushy sales comments. I have also checked malpractice history and it seems like board certification has no impact on how likely a doctor is to make a mistake and be sued and loose the malpractice case.  Some of the worst lasik malpractice cases involved board certified doctors. Thus I posted this question on this forum.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Jodie J is right on.

JCH MD

[JodieJ]

There are probably skilled and experienced refractive surgeons who are not board-certified doing laser vision correction using state-of-the-art equipment.  Would I choose someone who was not board certified?  No way.  I'd probably get evaluations/recommendations from senior staff at a couple of facilities affiliated with major medical centers in my area.  (One doctor I know about is reputed to be excellent and very conservative in his approach.  I like this, because I wouldn't want to have a procedure if I were only a marginal candidate.)

How did you happen to narrow your choice to include a surgeon who isn't board certified?