Question:
Any suggestion about Optometrists Laser Vision Correction?
Answer:
Optometrists are writing a controversial new role for themselves in
the lucrative boom in laser eye surgery rather than risk losing
patients eager to ditch their eyeglasses for good.
Though they can't perform the surgery, some optometrists are teaming
with ophthalmologists who can, referring patients for the procedure,
then handling the patients' postoperative care in exchange for a cut
of the fee.
The trend is called co-management, and as demand for the pricey laser
vision correction procedure grows, so does the motivation to form such
alliances.
Americans have lined up for laser in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK,
among them golfer Tiger Woods, supermodel Cindy Crawford, actress
Courteney Cox Arquette, and Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg Maddux. More
than 800,000 Americans are expected to have the surgery this year on
both eyes, up from just 210,000 in 1997.
Thrilled with their newfound vision, patients, by and large, have been
unaware of the controversial alliances and the potential for conflicts
of interest.
Optometrist Randy Fuerst, co-owner and chief executive of the Pacific
Laser Eye Center in Gold River, said the arrangement is both legal and
practical.
