NHS told not to adopt laser surgery, UK
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) claims that the procedure is not yet safe or effective enough to be offered on the health service and not enough is known about possible long-term complications.
The failure rate for eye surgery is thought to be one in ten and negligence claims involving laser eye surgery have soared over the past few years. Problems can include eyesight deteriorating, weakened corneas, infections and 'halo' effects around objects at night.
Around 100,000 people have the operation each year privately in Britain, but the clinical watchdog is advising that the surgery, which costs about £2,500, is not offered on the NHS. The procedure involves cutting into the cornea and using a laser to reshape it.
Prof Bruce Campbell, Chairman of NICE's interventional procedures advisory committee, said: "This is a problem that can easily be corrected by spectacles or contact lenses, so any risk of damage to the eye by LASIK is a real concern."
However, some doctors have expressed disappointment at the guidance and have defended the procedure's safety record.
http://www.hda-online.org.uk
NHS-a spus sã nu adopte laser chirurgie, Marea Britanie - NHS told not to adopt laser surgery, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate