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Laser eye surgery: experts prescribe caution
By Troy Goodman
CNN.com Health Writer
(CNN) -- The rapid growth of laser eye surgery has given those with blurry
vision lots of choices.
But experts warn it's up to consumers to find out about the doctor who's
going to be operating on their eyes and explore the problems they might
expect after the popular procedure.
"LASIK is the most popular surgery in America," said Dr. Stephen G. Slade,
an expert in refractive eye surgery and author of a new book, "The
Complete Book of Laser Eye Surgery." "The procedure is very effective but
it's not perfect as a surgery."
LASIK -- Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis -- is a procedure that uses
a laser to change the shape of the cornea to correct nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism. But the hi-tech surgery should come with a
warning label: unbiased, hype-free information about LASIK is hard to come
by, according to The Food and Drug Administration.
To help clear up the misinformation, the FDA launched a Web site this week
for those considering having their peepers become part of the 1.4 million
eyes to get LASIK this year. The site, www.fda.gov/CDRH/LASIK, offers
accurate consumer information, says David Feigal, who runs the FDA's
Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
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