Squeamishness is relative. I am unfazed by childbirth, urinary catheters and vomit. I am less good with injuries to the ends of fingers or toes, which always make me want to look away. My biggest fear, however, is of eyes.

Operative ophthalmology, in particular, sets me on edge – the eyelid clamped back, the surrounds of the eye draped to keep the area clean and, all the while, the conscious eye watching the approach of the surgeon’s hand. But not everyone is troubled by this prospect. Indeed, a number of FT readers have asked me about laser eye surgery – whether it really works, and what, if any, are the complications?

The information about laser eye surgery on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ website gives a useful overview. Laser eye surgery is not suitable for all spectacle-wearers, and some may still have to wear glasses either post-op or at a later stage. Surgery is also expensive – the bill can run to many thousands of pounds.

Is it worth it? The consumer organisation, Which?, recently visited high-street optical companies, posing as potential clients. This was a small survey, but it produced some worrying findings.

At times, the advertised prices for surgical eye procedures bore little resemblance to the price that the researchers were quoted. At least one felt under pressure to make a firm booking (as did a couple of FT readers).

But perhaps worse is the fact that there are no rules stipulating that the procedure has to be performed by a doctor who has undergone higher training in ophthalmology. Any registered doctor is legally allowed to perform it, but the Royal College does offer specific training which, subject to annual review and ongoing postgraduate training, allows for a “certificate of competence to practice”. The College also outlines what you should expect as a patient.

As for complications, they mostly relate to inadvertent damage to the flap of cornea, the outer tissue of the eye, which has to be lifted back. Some of these injuries can be significant. Lesser problems, such as dry eyes, tend to improve over the following months and can be alleviated with eye drops.

It may also be pertinent to note that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence declined to approve laser eye surgery, “as for most people, eye problems can easily be corrected by wearing spectacles or contact lenses”.

So, yes, I’ll be sticking with my specs. As one correspondent told me, he changed his mind about having the procedure done when he realised his potential ophthalmic surgeon was wearing glasses.

Margaret McCartney is a GP in Glasgow.
margaret.mccartney@ft.com

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