Laser Eye Surgery

[Guest guest]

Some months ago I wrote a letter citing research and news reports which

showed that the modern use of laser eyer surgery is not quite as innocuous as

the TV commercials make out. Since then, several folk have responded

privately and on other groups to what I wrote. Here is how I repleid to them.

My feeling is to avoid any form of surgery unless it is totally essential for

one's health, safety or survival. Almost all folk who opt for laser eye

surgery do so because of cosmetic reasons and the belief that eye glasses are

inconvenient or unattractive. On the contrary, the development of modern

high refractive index synthetics means that eye glasses can be made very thin

and fitted into some very attractive frames that actually can enhance

appearance.

All eye surgery carries some degree of risk and even if this risk involves

possibly fewer than 10 percent of all Lasik patients, you might be one of

the unlucky few. To me, so much of my life depends on vision, that I do not

wish to endanger my sight in any way whatsoever. Imagine not being able to

read, drive or see beautiful things clearly. I am very happy with my new

lightweight titanium glasses - I hardly know that they are there and I can

take part in almost any sport with them - and I have bad astigmatism and

myopia which are supposed to be very amenable to laser surgery.

My glasses do not endanger my vision, though laser surgery might - no

difficult choice for me. I will wait until laser surgery is as well

established and time-tested as setting broken bones successfully. If I need

to take part in violent contact sport, then light contact lenses will be next

on the list, but I leave some other willing guinea pigs to prove it to me

that laser surgery offers a better and safer alternative.

I love my eyes and nobody will ever talk me into taking even the slightest

risk of possibly losing that exquisite gift in my life.

Dr Mel C Siff

Denver, USA

Supertraining/