Greetings Bermuda200:
There does seem to be a strong opinion that quality is lacking with
inexpensive laser eye surgeries. I found the following information to
be very enlightening.
From Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB):
"CHEAP LASIK IS LIKE A CHEAP PARACHUTE: It works most of the time, but
when it doesn't it is a disaster.
"Summary:An apparent violation of standard sterile technique by a
discount surgery center led to four consecutive patients developing a
severe eye infection.
"Significance:To offer LASIK at $499 and to support a large
advertising budget requires discount laser centers to cut corners. The
consequences for the patient can be disastrous.
"Background:UCLA investigators recently reported four consecutive
patients treated for farsightedness at a single discount laser center.
The surgeon's laser was not able to treat farsightedness. Rather than
referring the patients to a center with a laser capable of treating
farsightedness, the surgeon jury-rigged a method of correcting
farsightedness that involved cutting contact lenses into pieces and
using the pieces to block the laser beam as it was hitting the
patient's eye. After treatment, three of the four patients developed
infections in both eyes,and the remaining patient developed an
infection in one of the treated eyes."
The above is from http://www.rpbusa.org/pdf/16th/rmalone1.pdf - pages
2 and 3. I suggest you peruse the entire document. They conclude
"Low-cost LASIK puts the surgeon under pressure to cut corners to save
money, which can be disastrous for the unsuspecting consumer."
Should you want more information from them, the contact information
for Research to Prevent Blindness is:
645 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022-10101
800-621-0026
FAX: 212-688-6231
website: www.RPBUSA.org
***********
In a chat interview hosted by USA Today featuring Dr. Anne Sumers, a
spokeswoman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a query was
presented: "My father had surgery at the ICON LASIK center in Canada.
His surgery was not a success. They over corrected his eyes and told
him it could be corrected, however, they didn't tell us they were
going bankrupt even though he has paid for the surgery in full. Do you
have any suggestions?"
Anne Sumers replied, "Oh, dear. This is exactly what the American
Academy of Ophthalmology was worried about when "off shore discount
LASIK surgery" was first advertised in Canada. (They were offering
very cheap LASIK surgery, in an unsustainable economic plan). People
who are considering LASIK should chose a local doctor, who will
provide their post-op care; this is surgery, not a haircut."
The chat transcript is located at
http://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2001-06-29-sumers.htm and I
think you will find it helpful.
*************
CNN Health presents an article at
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/02/26/laser.eye.surgery/ titled
"Clearing up picture on laser eye surgery - Experts urge caution in
finding doctor, learning risks". A Ms. Shope's surgery is discussed
there. She had an astigmatism and is legally blind in one eye after
surgery. It reads after that, "Experts say Shope should have been
ruled out as a candidate for surgery because of the severity of her
condition. The fact that she wasn't, they say, emphasizes the need for
consumers to be informed about the surgery and the specific doctor who
will perform it."
The article continues with "Finding the best doctor for the job takes
research, and experts say looking for the best price is not the best
place to start.
"[Patients] wouldn't want to get discount open heart surgery or budget
brain surgery," said Dr. Terrence O'Brien of John Hopkins University's
Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. "Yet some people devalue
their eyes and would risk a major complication to have a discounted
eye surgery."
*********
The Eye Sugery Education Council of the Lasik Institute offers
excellent information about laser eye sugery at
http://www.lasikinstitute.org/ and they also offers a comprehensive
article titled "Selecting Your Surgeon" at
http://www.lasikinstitute.org/Selecting_Surgeon.html . In closing,
the author suggests:
"Beyond the surgeon's experience, patients should investigate and
evaluate the following criteria before deciding upon a surgeon:
"Training and education;
Certifications - board certifications as well as manufacturer
certifications on lasers and microkeratomes;
Professional memberships and important offices held;
Training and teaching activities;
Research and writing activities;
Awards;
Reputation;
The equipment the surgeon uses.
"Although no single criterion will help you make your choice, a
holistic evaluation of the above criteria should help you feel
comfortable with the surgeon you choose. Finally, if at any point in
the decision making process you have any doubts about your surgeon or
his or her medical opinion, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion."
************
There were plenty of web sites for laser services that said
essentially the same thing (don't go cheap) however I chose not to
include those because the opinions are from businesses wanting
customer's money so I don't consider them unbiased sources. I stuck
with high-profile news sources, research organizations and
professional collectives.
So, the question for me is, instead of spending more, is it worth
spending less? I don't believe you have to spend the most but it's
usually true in life that we get what we pay for - quality doesn't
come cheaply. Our eyesight is very precious and it's a sense we often
take for granted until it begins to fail.
I suggest you call each place you're considering and ask them all the
question suggestions from the "Selecting a Surgeon" article. The
offices that respond with promptness and patience are the ones I would
consider. And running with Dr. Sumers haircut analogy above, I must
confess that everytime I've ever had an inexpensive haircut, I haven't
been pleased with the result.
Should you require any clarification of the links or information I
have provided, please request it and I will be happy to respond.
SEARCH STRATEGY:
"cheap lasik"
American Academy of Ophthalmology |
