Lasik Eyes Surgery - New Patient List

Author

New Patient List

2004-11-05, 7:13 am

In article <21rlo09acikif80qu9g0se6qtc6pv028q7@4ax.com>,
Glenn - USAEyes.org <glenn.hageleSTOPSPAM@USAEyes.org> wrote:

> If all surgeries that had a complication rate equal or greater than
> LASIK were to be abolished, surgery centers would have tumbleweeds
> rolling through them, and doctors would be asking if you would like
> fries with your order.

Glenn, it's my feeling after reading this newsgroup, that not all
surgeries are created equal. Yes, all surgeries have complication
rates, but those complications don't include disruption to our no. 1
interface with the world, our eyes. Big difference between never being
able to drive at night again and having nerve damage (ie numbness)
behind your right ear.

That it is why it is essential both doctor and patient are as honest and
forthcoming with information as possible.

Perhaps rather than a new consent form, CRSQA should compile, alongside
their 50 Tough Questions for Your Doctor (Which I found very useful,
BTW), a list of commonly known contraindications and RARE conditions
that patients should insist they are screened for--not just the tests
the doctor should perform, but conditions and medical issues an INFORMED
patient should take the personal responsibility to make sure are ruled
out, or the risks sufficiently explained, before continuing with the
procedure.

C. Gates

2004-11-05, 11:09 am

RT wrote:

> Glenn, it's my feeling after reading this newsgroup, that not all
> surgeries are created equal. Yes, all surgeries have complication
> rates, but those complications don't include disruption to our no. 1
> interface with the world, our eyes. Big difference between never being
> able to drive at night again and having nerve damage (ie numbness)
> behind your right ear.

RT, you're getting to the essence of the big differences of opinion on
this group -- and the wording (and images) that need to be on consent
forms. Terms like "off center ablation" have no meaning to the average
person, and that tends to be what's there now. But actual photographic
images (simulations) of what the world looks like whith that condition,
especially with pairs of normal vs off-center ablation on a night
highway would really tell the story. But, I guess that would be another
negative horror story to scare people, wouldn't it... I think the images
would be closer to the truth than the jargon. And, a set of images could
show the results for even mild off-center ablations that are far more
common and still cause problems.

Seems like one group of folks tend to approach this in a left-brained,
analytical way, like an accountant, with percentages and all sorts of
rational, scientific terminology. Which is a valid way to discuss the
issues. Another group seems to be approaching the issue with a sense and
feeling for the human impact of both the successes and failures -- a
different dimension entirely. For a person who has to make a living in
today's world, not being able to drive at night can have substantial
life changes -- like selling their house in the suburbs, or even losing
a good job. And, for those with no problems, the joy of "throwing away
glasses."

This "disruption to our main interface with the world" is an extremely
important, and profound, issue, and one that many would like to disregard.

Glenn - USAEyes.org

2004-11-05, 11:09 am

>That it is why it is essential both doctor and patient are as honest and
>forthcoming with information as possible.

But we know that both may not be and both may ignore important
information. That is one of the reasons CRSQA and its informative
website exist.

>Perhaps rather than a new consent form....

The combined information provided by our website and through our Ask
An Expert services do a reasonably good job of what you suggest.
Certainly we could do more (we can always do more), but everything you
mention is covered in one manner or another, even the list of
complications: http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/complications.htm

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.