CBS 2 Special Assignment
Lasik Disasters
February 5, 2001
FROM THE ARTICLE: "As the problem cases grow, so do the number of clinics that deal specifically with Lasik complications. 'We're seeing more and more disasters,' said Dr. Robert Maloney of the Maloney Vision Institute."
The Oregonian
Eye surgery patients unite to warn others: Don't be blind to risks
February 4, 2001
FROM THE ARTICLE: In living rooms, restaurants, attorneys' offices and on the Internet, people are talking about the dark side of the hottest medical marvel: laser eye surgery. While there's no shortage of happy post-laser patients, some can't see beach sunsets or bedside clocks. Some bump into walls. Some can't drive at night. A few have lost hobbies or jobs. Yet these men and women -- surrounded by ecstatic converts, gung-ho advertisements and glowing news stories about laser procedures -- feel invisible and isolated.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
December 24, 2000
Risks Debated as 'Laser Mills' Correct Sight at a Discount
FROM THE ARTICLE: But discount surgery centers defy medical standards for patient care by cutting corners on patient-doctor contact, according to some leading doctors and other critics.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
December 24, 2000
Things to consider before Eye Surgery
FROM THE ARTICLE: "Lasik surgery cannot be reversed. It is unknown if there are long-term ill effects after five years."
CNN.com
December 1, 2000
Laser eye surgery: Experts prescribe caution
FROM THE ARTICLE: "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."
The Birmingham News
October 22, 2000
Lasik eye surgery can enhance vision, but with no guarantees
FROM THE ARTICLE: "And the long-term consequences of surgically manipulating the eyes are unknown. The FDA approved Lasik after five years of studies. It simply hasn't been around long enough to know how a person's eyes will be 20 or 30 years down the road."
Atlanta Constitution
October 17, 2000
LASIK: What you need to know before this vision surgery
FROM THE ARTICLE: "There is no meaningful oversight of the LASIK business, which has exploded to more than 1.5 million this year, according to David Harmon of Market Scope, which publishes the leading newsletter on the laser eye care industry. Although the FDA regulates the surgical equipment, it does not regulate facilities or doctors directly."
LAWYERS WEEKLY
October 2, 2000
Plaintiffs' Bar Trains Its Sights on Laser Eye Surgery
FROM THE ARTICLE: "There's one catch, according to plaintiffs' attorneys - it's not all that safe. As the seemingly simple, 10-minute procedure sweeps the nation, a growing number of lawsuits claim that enormous profits have created a gold-rush mentality among some practitioners that has led to poor medical screening and shoddy surgical procedures."
St. Petersburg Times
October 1, 2000
Seeing Lasik's Risks Clearly
FROM THE ARTICLE: "Paula Cofer had worn glasses or contact lenses since grade school and was tired of the hassle. The ads for LASIK eye surgery she heard constantly on the radio intrigued her, and she was impressed by the testimonials from happy customers she read in the newspapers. But those ads, like many for refractive eye surgery, made no mention of the risks. No mention of common side effects. No mention of the potential loss of contrast sensitivity, which makes it difficult to distinguish where one object stops and another starts.
Tampa Tribune
September 24, 2000
Lasik in 20/20
FROM THE ARTICLE: "To perform Lasik surgery, doctors need only attend a weekend course sponsored by laser manufacturers. At these two-day seminars, doctors are shown how to operate the machinery and practice by zapping pig eyeballs. A doctor cannot be licensed in Lasik because such a standard doesn't exist. It's possible to attend a weekend seminar and perform Lasik on Monday."
Canadian Press
September 5, 2000
Some eye surgery patients hesitate after reports of reduced night vision
FROM THE ARTICLE: "Patients are becoming more nervous, and more concerned, now that the Canadian Medical Association has added the popular surgery to a list of risk factors for unsafe driving, said optometrist Scott Mundle, secretary of the Canadian Association of Optometrists."
Daily Camera of Boulder
September 5, 2000
A second look at laser eye surgery
FROM THE ARTICLE: "Thousands of disgruntled patients are logging onto Internet chat rooms to trade stories about surgeries gone wrong. Outspoken scientists are speculating about potential long-term effects."
Canadian Press
August 27, 2000
Canadian Medical Association says laser eye surgery can pose driving risk
FROM THE ARTICLE: "The Canadian Medical Association has added laser eye surgery to a list of risk factors for unsafe driving, and recommends doctors test the night vision of patients who may be experiencing visual difficulty following surgery."
USA Today
August 10, 2000
Woods leads list of golfers turning to convenience of laser eye surgery
FROM THE ARTICLE: "This year, Casey Martin and Michelle Bell had complications. Martin says he had two weeks of "blurry" vision; Bell says she played two months without being able to see a wedge shot land on the green."
NationalPost.com
July 17, 2000
Scientists see problems with laser eye surgery
Night vision affected
San Diego Tribune
May 19, 1999
Joyner is seeing, but not believing - Says hitting slump not tied to eye surgery
The Canadian Press, July 17, 2000
Laser eye surgery may damage night vision long-term
CBS Evening News, June 27, 2000
We'll take a hard look at laser eye surgery: It's a revolutionary and hugely popular technique that's improved the vision of many who could not be helped before...but are the particular needs of some patients getting overlooked in a rush for profits?
The Medical Post, June 14, 2000
Studies show compromised night vision an undetected complication of laser eye surgery
The London Times, June 13, 2000
Laser surgery to assist eyesight is popular but controversial.
The Guardian, June 4, 2000
Laser surgery may ruin eyes
The Wisconsin State Journal, June 4, 2000
Eye Market, Eye Safety Behind Battle
Baltimore City Paper, May 31, 2000
Eye Opener
WebMD.com, May 25, 2000
Casting a Critical Eye on LASIK
San Jose Mercury News, May 23, 2000
Warning letters after eye surgeries Bay Area patients told doctors reused blades
Forbes Magazine, May 4, 2000
Eye-Opener
ABCNEWS.com, April 26, 2000
Eyes Wide Shut
Rising Perils from From Miracle Surgery
