Michigan’s First LASIK Surgeon Welcomes New FDA LASIK Quality of Life Project
"Results Will Protect the Integrity of the LASIK Procedure and its Safest Features"
Economic Impact on LASIK has been Dramatic. Medical Consumer Education on Technologies Urged

Media Contact: Barbara M. Fornasiero 248.651.7536; cell 586.817.8414; barbara@eafocus.com 

West Bloomfield, Michigan---October 20, 2009--- Robert D. Beitman, M.D., F.A.C.S., founder of the Beitman Laser Eye Institute in West Bloomfield and the first surgeon to perform LASIK in Michigan, says the October 15th announcement by the FDA that it will study LASIK eye surgery "to determine the percentage of patients with significant quality of life problems after LASIK surgery and identify predictors of these problems" will ultimately benefit patients and the integrity of the LASIK procedure.

"LASIK has repeatedly proven to be safe, with outstanding patient outcomes. The FDA study was reported to be prompted by only a few complaints -140 in an eight year period - of dry eyes, halos at night and other adverse side effects. That’s a remarkably small number given that an estimated 6 million people have had LASIK surgery," notes Dr. Beitman, adding that he has performed more than 20,000 LASIK procedures in his career. "Still, I think this study will benefit medical consumers by ensuring the integrity of the procedure and protecting its safest features, including the use of the most technologically advanced LASIK surgical equipment."

Dr. Beitman explains that for economic reasons, some LASIK surgeons in Michigan and elsewhere are no longer using laser-directed, bladeless technology and have returned to using a blade (often referred to as conventional LASIK) for creating the critical corneal flap that is the centerpiece of a LASIK procedure.

"Bladeless technology is what I call the platinum standard in LASIK and it’s the only type of LASIK I will perform. It’s proven to be the most effective tool for optimal visual acuity and significantly reduces the chances of surgeon error, post-surgery complications and longer-term negative side effects," says Dr. Beitman. "Prospective LASIK consumers need to do their homework and understand why there can be such divergent pricing structures with LASIK. I tell my patients that while the bladeless technology might not be great for their pocketbook, it is great for their vision."

The economic fallout on LASIK has been dramatic nationally and especially in Michigan, according to Dr. Beitman. He says that procedures are down 50% to 60% from only two years ago.

"Southeast Michigan used to have about ten Intralase bladeless technology machines in operation a few years ago and now there are six," says Dr. Beitman. "That’s because some surgeons who made large initial investments in the bladeless technology couldn’t afford to continue operating the equipment. With a diminishing patient base, they saw the return to offering only conventional LASIK as a financial necessity."

Dr. Beitman notes that the cost of LASIK procedures using the bladeless technology has remained relatively stable at $3600 to $4000 for both eyes. He adds that some patients who get a bargain price on LASIK up front pay more in the long run.

"I performed LASIK on two patients last week who came to me for corrective LASIK surgery following poor conventional LASIK outcomes elsewhere," adds Dr. Beitman.

Dr. Beitman was the first surgeon to perform LASIK in Michigan and has dedicated his private practice exclusively to laser vision correction and cataract surgery for more than ten years. In 2002, he was named to LaserVision Centers, Inc. Top 5 Surgeons, a list of the nation’s leading LASIK surgeons based on volume. Dr. Beitman holds a medical degree from Wayne State University and received his ophthalmology residency training at Detroit's Sinai Hospital, which pioneered the use of lasers in ophthalmology. He is a Beaumont affiliated hospital physician and a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and founder of the Michigan Keratorefractive Society. For additional information on LASIK vision correction, please visit www.beitman.com or www.abbottmedicaloptics.com.

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