LASIK and Vision Correction: Helpful Links

Alcon/Autonomous web site, with information about the LADARVision laser, with "laser-radar" tracking.

Allegretto Wavelight web site, with information about Wavelight A.G. and the Allegretto laser.

All About Vision -- A for-profit (sponsored) site featuring information, technology, and FAQ’s about vision and vision correction. The subsection on WavePrint discusses advancements in measurement, analysis and laser treatment that are in development.

AllAboutLASIK.com -- Discusses the latest news in laser vision correction, including advanced technology.

American Academy of Ophthalmology home page. The AAO is the world's largest, most professional and most distinguished association of ophthalmologists, dedicated to academic research, teaching, and educational programs for both eye care professionals and the public.

American Board of Medical Specialties is the association of all medical specialty board organizations recognized by the Federal government, hospitals and health care insurers. These organizations set the standards for specialty "Board Certification" and administer the specialty board examinations. This is the site where you can find out if a particular doctor is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology .

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery ("ASCRS") home page. ASCRS is the largest and most influential professional organization for surgeons specializing in cataract and laser refractive surgery.

Ask LASIK Docs web site, with information about LASIK, vision correction surgery, and related topics. This site offers an opportunity to ask questions, which are answered by a member of a national panel of LASIK experts. Dr. Wallace is one of the panel doctors.

Bausch & Lomb's Technolas 217 laser information site.

Contact Lens Info offers extensive information about contact lenses of all makes, models and sizes.

Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance ("CRSQA") is an independent, non-profit consumer organization dedicated to providing accurate information to the public about laser corrective surgery. CRSQA's Board of Directors includes some of the most well-respected laser refractive surgeons in the world, as well as non-physician experts in health care and other public figures. CRSQA's credentialing and certification process intends to both define acceptable "standards of care" and hallmarks of excellence in the provision of laser vision correction care. They also publish a list of 50 Tough Questions to Ask Your Surgeon. To review these questions (and Dr. Wallace's answers), click the link.

Crystalens manufacturer Eyeonics website. This intraocular lens implant is the first FDA-approved lens designed to accommodate or adjust focus from distance to near.

Digital Journal of Ophthalmology , a peer-reviewed online journal published by Harvard University

Eye Care Source , an online resource with helpful information about a variety of eye conditions. This site offers reasonably unbiased content and provides links to a network of eye care professionals across the U.S including optometrists, ophthalmologists and LASIK surgeons. It is a relatively recent entrant into the "eye care information portal" business; As of June '05, LA Sight is listed as a referral source, and we have not been asked to pay any "listing fee" which is a strategy employed by several competing portals.

Eye Surgery Education Council ("ESEC") is an educational effort sponsored by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), dedicated to raising the standards and skills of surgeons, through clinical education; and to working with patients, government, and the medical community to promote delivery of quality eye care. The ESEC, committed to helping patients make informed decisions about undergoing laser eye surgery, has two missions: (1) To provide patients with accurate, accessible information, and (2) To promote active physician/patient discussion about the benefits and risks of the procedure. Their information on LASIK Screening Guidelines can be downloaded directly from our site, but you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.

Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") Website on Pilot Medical Certification . This addresses the question, "Is a pilot required to report to the FAA that he or she has undergone LASIK or other laser eye surgery to correct vision?"

FDA Website on LASIK & Laser Refractive Surgery Read what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has to say about LASIK surgery, FDA approved laser technology, and the details, risks and benefits associated with the procedure.

FDA Ophthalmic Devices Advisory Panel This displays the recent calendar of meetings and agenda items discussed at each session of the Ophthalmic Devices Advisory Panel. This group reviews and makes recommendations to the full FDA board as to when and whether any new ophthalmic devices (including lasers, laser upgrades, intraocular lenses, etc.) will be recommended to receive "Pre-Market Approval ("PMA") which denotes permission to market and use such technology in the US.

Federal Trade Commission Stops Allegedly Misleading Representations for Lasik Eye Surgery The FTC takes action against two large-scale providers of vision-correcting surgery asserting deceptive and/or misleading advertising claims. In conjunction with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the FTC has published a monograph called "Basic LASIK: Tips on LASIK Eye Surgery" for those interested in learning more about vision-correcting surgical options.

Glaucoma Foundation

Glossary of Eye Terminology -- An online resource excerpted from the Dictionary of Eye Terminology , copyright 1990-2001 by Barbara Cassin and Triad Publishing. The Dictionary's more than 5,000 entry terms define anatomy, tests, diseases and conditions, refractive errors, surgical procedures, drugs and medications, etc.

HealthFinder.gov is US government website with general information about physicians, hospitals and healthcare facilities. A related site, HealthGrades.com is a fee-based services offering public records about certain specific healthcare providers (doctors) and hospitals. This site aggregates information from all of the state medical boards, specialty boards, and National Practitioner Databank (regarding Federal disciplinary actions) pertaining to doctors, hospitals and healthcare agencies. Healthgrades.com fee for its search services ($7.95 per search as of March '05) seems annoying to obtain public information, but if it helps you avoid having treatment by a doctor with a dubious record it is well worth the investment. This source may also help discover information about provider disciplinary actions from a different state than the one in which they may be currently practicing.

Medical Board of California website, where you can check license status of any California physician. Of particular relevance in that some LASIK surgeons in CA are currently under investigation, or have in the past been the subject of disciplinary action by the Board for malfeasance including fraud, substandard medical care, and/or other violations of California's Medical Practice Act, which defines the standards and practices that physicians and surgeons are expected to uphold.

Medline Plus Information on Laser Eye Surgery published by the National Library of Medicine ("NLM") . The NLM is a division of the National Institutes of Health, and provides an excellent, impartial, government-sponsored platform linking to search engines for a wide range of biomedical literature, medical information, clinical research, and biotechnology research.

NASA Vision Research

National Eye Institute ("NEI") home page. The NEI is a department within the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This agency provides significant funding for basic and clinical research into eye disease, and vision research in general.

Nidek EC 5000 excimer laser system website.

Online Journal of Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Review Journal

Peace Officer Standards and Training ("POST") , State of California. The CA POST publishes a Medical Screening Manual for California Law Enforcement (revised December 2001), but the section on Vision Guidelines is sorely out of date. Update of this section is in process; see Refractive Surgery Update: PRK and LASIK . The POST recommendations influence policy for all law enforcement organizations in the State. We recommend reading their section on "Pre-Employment Vision Screening and the Law - Implications for Job Performance" for all who may pursue or have interest in a law enforcement career in California.

Refractec home page. Refractec manufactures a system for treatment of farsightedness (hyperopia) using radio-frequency energy. The procedure is referred to as Conductive Keratoplasty or "CK" , and received FDA approval in 2002.

Retina , a peer-reviewed Journal of Retina and Vitreous Diseases

US Air Force Aviator/Special Duty Refractive Surgery Program and USAF Corneal Refractive Surgery Registry . Information about the USAF Warfighter Refractive Surgery Program, sponsored by the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine and the Aeromedical Consultation Service Ophthalmology Branch.  The US Sir Force has since about 1997 permitted PRK (or equivalent forms of surface treatment) for pilots and aviation-related duty positions, but had considered LASIK disqualifying for duty.  In May 2007, this position was substantially revised.  USAF now allows LASIK for aviators.  The change in policy became effective after studies showed there was little or no difference between LASIK-treated eyes and untreated eyes when subjected to the wind blast experienced during aircraft ejection or exposure to high altitude.  All applicants to aviation-related career fields — regardless of whether they have had corrective eye surgery — must still meet the vision requirements articulated in AFI 48-123.  The change also removes the altitude and high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had LASIK.  The Air Force is recommending two particular types of LASIK surgery for aviation candidates: Wave Front Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy, or WFG-PRK, and Wave Front Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, or WFG-LASIK.  LA Sight offers both forms of treatment.

US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory ("USAARL") home page. This page has links to the most updated refractive surgery policies for active duty personnel in the US Army and for applicants seeking flight training in the Army .

US Army Information about Refractive Surgery . This site offers links to the following:
- Army Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program ("AWRESP")
- Expanded Medical Waivers for Refractive Eye Surgery
- Refractive Surgery in the Military
- Evaluation of Refractive Surgery for Army Aviation Study
- Policy on Medical Waivers for US Army Personnel with a History of Refractive Surgery

US Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Policy on Refractive Surgery . Information specifically relevant to active duty service personnel in the Navy and USMC. The Navy does recognize and support both LASIK and PRK for active duty personnel, with specific restrictions, as long as strict guidelines are respected and follow-up care is maintained. The permissions and restrictions representing official Spreadsheet indicating Specific Navy & USMC Policy by Procedure and Duty Classification as published in April '04 is shown. Review also their monograph on Corrective Eye Surgery Information .

VeriSyse phakic intraocular lens information site.

Virtual Flight Surgeons portal for information on aviation medicine, vision correction and flight certification, etc. This site is intended for pilots seeking information and certification within the umbrella of U.S. civil (private) and commercial aviation.

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Wiley-X manufacturers of very high quality sunglasses and goggles for extreme sports, military and everyday applications. Their HVP series (for High Velocity Protection) is now almost standard issue for US troops in hostile locations.