The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Question mark over LASIK surgery

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Question mark over LASIK surgery

Y.Mallikarjun

HYDERABAD: Are you young and planning a LASIK eye surgery to avoid wearing specs and contact lens? If so, make sure that a proper evaluation is done before the procedure or else you might end up with complications at the prestigious L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) here.

An increasing number of patients, at least one every week, with post-LASIK surgery complications, mostly in the age group of 18-30, are turning up at LVPEI from all parts of the country. Reasons - the procedure, Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is not suitable to all. Besides being unsafe and at times unethical, some practices by ophthalmologists too might have resulted in the complications, according to Pravin Krishna Vaddavalli, consultant, LVPEI.

Misconception

Mr Vaddavalli told The Hindu here on Tuesday that there was a misconception that it was a safe procedure and nothing could go wrong. However, due to genetic reasons the corneal thickness in Indians was less, compared with Americans and others. This was a limiting factor for conducting the procedure and required proper evaluation by a qualified ophthalmologist. A certain amount of residual thickness was needed to ensure that no complications occur. It could lead to serious effects, including vision loss, if performed without proper evaluation.

The procedure was mostly recommended for patients with myopia. While three million LASIK procedures were performed annually in the US, a significant number were being done in India as centres offering it have mushroomed in every nook and corner. "In the USA, it is done by a trained refractive surgeon. But here any ophthalmologist who has an access to a machine can do it," he lamented.

Trend decried

Dr. Pravin Krishna said that some 150-200 procedures were being performed in Hyderabad alone. He decried the trend of what he termed as "cut practice" among ophthalmologists, where the latter are paid for referring a patient for the procedure, the cost of which ranges from Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000.

Meanwhile with a view to removing the misconceptions and enabling the public to make a well-informed decision, LVEPI is conducting a "Public Education Forum" on LASIK surgery on December 18 at the institute's premises. Consultants in cornea and refractive surgery will speak on laser refractive error correction technology and clarify doubts of the people.

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