The dangers of laser eye surgery are not being properly explained to
people desperate to improve their vision, it is claimed today.
One in three consultations by clinics offering the treatment were of poor quality, according to a Which? investigation.
The
consumer watchdog found that the relatively low prices promised by the
major chains in their marketing are not what they seem, while some
outlets sting customers with unexpected fees.
The dangers of laser eye surgery are not being properly explained to
patients and the prices being promised are not always what they seem,
according to an investigation by Which?
Optical Express advertises from £595 per eye but the lowest price
quoted to the researchers, which was not a time-limited offer, was
£1,195 per eye for a standard Lasik treatment.
Similarly, Optimax advertises prices starting at £795 per eye, but the lowest price offered in the survey was £1,390.
The consumer group sent researchers into 18 laser eye surgery clinics
to look at sales tactics and the quality of advice given at initial
consultation.
An expert panel found problems with a third of consultations because the potential complications were not clearly explained.
Which?
said: ‘Independent clinics, smaller chains and hospital-based providers
scored the best, and high street providers came bottom, with Optical
Express falling down on every visit when it came to explaining
complications.’
Risks of laser eye surgery include poor night
vision, growths where the eye is cut, double vision, foggy vision,
chronic eyelid inflammation and even loss of sight.
Video courtesy of PreOp® Patient Education
The consumer group sent researchers into 18 laser eye surgery clinics
and found problems with a third of consultations because the risks were
not being properly explained
Painfully dry eyes can occur as a result of damage to the nerves that
stimulate tears, while damage to the rim of the eyelids can also result
in painful ingrowing eyelashes, which must be plucked several times a
month by an optician.
Which? said that good written information
was provided at all of the clinics but many fell down on explaining
details of the risks.
The group said: ‘Serious long-term
complications are rare but in extreme cases patients can have long-term
problems, such as severe dry eyes, so it is important people are aware
of this before they commit.’
The watchdog said four out of six visits to the market leader, Optical Express, were deemed ‘poor’.
It
said: ‘Eye tests and history taking were all satisfactory and, in one
case, good. But Optical Express fell down on every visit when it came to
explaining complications, for example failing to explain the specific
risks associated with insulin-dependent diabetes to one researcher and
giving her unrealistic statistics on her chances of success.
Independent clinics, smaller chains and hospital-based providers scored the best in the investigation
‘On three visits, staff failed to explain the probable need for reading glasses in later life.
‘Optical Express also said the laser it uses is “two generations better” than any other UK company, which isn’t true.’
The Which? expert panel suggested staff gave a priority to making a sale over patient care.
They
said: ‘Some staff seem so keen to make a sale that they are missing the
basics: what the customer needs to know to give informed consent. Or,
at the very least, reminding the patient to read the written
information.’
Four out of five visits to Optimax were considered ‘satisfactory’, while one was rated ‘good’.
Four of seven visits to smaller clinics were ‘good’, one was ‘satisfactory’ and two were ‘poor’.
One independent clinic demanded a £250 consultation fee from a researcher which had not been previously mentioned.
The
same researcher was also pressured to spend £45 on eye drops, wipes and
an eye bath for an eye condition – blepharitis – which she does not
have.
A review last year by the NHS medical director, Professor
Sir Bruce Keogh, found a need for greater regulation of laser eye
surgery. As a result, the Royal College of Surgeons has announced it
will set up review committees.
Optical Express defended its prices, saying at least 20 per cent of customers are charged the lower fees it advertises.
A
spokesman said: ‘Which?’s findings are based on the opinion of just a
handful of people and misrepresent the views of the tens of thousands of
highly delighted patients we treat every year.
‘Despite various
requests, Which? has also failed to disclose whether its panel of
experts have commercial roles that could pose a conflict of interest.
'More
than 99 per cent of our patients achieve 20/20 vision or better without
spectacles or contact lenses post-surgery, based on a study of over
293,000 patients with the most common prescription ranges we treat.
‘In
a further study of over 97,000 patients, over 99 per cent said they
would recommend Optical Express. Patient care is our No.1 priority and
we ensure everyone we treat is fully informed and suitable.’
| Mail Online
people desperate to improve their vision, it is claimed today.
One in three consultations by clinics offering the treatment were of poor quality, according to a Which? investigation.
The
consumer watchdog found that the relatively low prices promised by the
major chains in their marketing are not what they seem, while some
outlets sting customers with unexpected fees.
patients and the prices being promised are not always what they seem,
according to an investigation by Which?
Optical Express advertises from £595 per eye but the lowest price
quoted to the researchers, which was not a time-limited offer, was
£1,195 per eye for a standard Lasik treatment.
Similarly, Optimax advertises prices starting at £795 per eye, but the lowest price offered in the survey was £1,390.
The consumer group sent researchers into 18 laser eye surgery clinics
to look at sales tactics and the quality of advice given at initial
consultation.
An expert panel found problems with a third of consultations because the potential complications were not clearly explained.
Which?
said: ‘Independent clinics, smaller chains and hospital-based providers
scored the best, and high street providers came bottom, with Optical
Express falling down on every visit when it came to explaining
complications.’
Risks of laser eye surgery include poor night
vision, growths where the eye is cut, double vision, foggy vision,
chronic eyelid inflammation and even loss of sight.
Video courtesy of PreOp® Patient Education
and found problems with a third of consultations because the risks were
not being properly explained
Painfully dry eyes can occur as a result of damage to the nerves that
stimulate tears, while damage to the rim of the eyelids can also result
in painful ingrowing eyelashes, which must be plucked several times a
month by an optician.
Which? said that good written information
was provided at all of the clinics but many fell down on explaining
details of the risks.
The group said: ‘Serious long-term
complications are rare but in extreme cases patients can have long-term
problems, such as severe dry eyes, so it is important people are aware
of this before they commit.’
The watchdog said four out of six visits to the market leader, Optical Express, were deemed ‘poor’.
It
said: ‘Eye tests and history taking were all satisfactory and, in one
case, good. But Optical Express fell down on every visit when it came to
explaining complications, for example failing to explain the specific
risks associated with insulin-dependent diabetes to one researcher and
giving her unrealistic statistics on her chances of success.
‘On three visits, staff failed to explain the probable need for reading glasses in later life.
‘Optical Express also said the laser it uses is “two generations better” than any other UK company, which isn’t true.’
The Which? expert panel suggested staff gave a priority to making a sale over patient care.
They
said: ‘Some staff seem so keen to make a sale that they are missing the
basics: what the customer needs to know to give informed consent. Or,
at the very least, reminding the patient to read the written
information.’
Four out of five visits to Optimax were considered ‘satisfactory’, while one was rated ‘good’.
Four of seven visits to smaller clinics were ‘good’, one was ‘satisfactory’ and two were ‘poor’.
One independent clinic demanded a £250 consultation fee from a researcher which had not been previously mentioned.
The
same researcher was also pressured to spend £45 on eye drops, wipes and
an eye bath for an eye condition – blepharitis – which she does not
have.
A review last year by the NHS medical director, Professor
Sir Bruce Keogh, found a need for greater regulation of laser eye
surgery. As a result, the Royal College of Surgeons has announced it
will set up review committees.
Optical Express defended its prices, saying at least 20 per cent of customers are charged the lower fees it advertises.
A
spokesman said: ‘Which?’s findings are based on the opinion of just a
handful of people and misrepresent the views of the tens of thousands of
highly delighted patients we treat every year.
‘Despite various
requests, Which? has also failed to disclose whether its panel of
experts have commercial roles that could pose a conflict of interest.
'More
than 99 per cent of our patients achieve 20/20 vision or better without
spectacles or contact lenses post-surgery, based on a study of over
293,000 patients with the most common prescription ranges we treat.
‘In
a further study of over 97,000 patients, over 99 per cent said they
would recommend Optical Express. Patient care is our No.1 priority and
we ensure everyone we treat is fully informed and suitable.’
| Mail Online
No comments:
Post a Comment