Use of Lasers Is Routine
The California Assn. of Ophthalmology would like to point out incorrect information in your article Nov. 12, “Board Accuses Eye Doctor of Negligence, Incompetence.”
Without commenting on the allegations against the individual ophthalmologist in the article, the association is disturbed by the comments attributed to Deputy Atty. Gen. Mark Roohk that “laser treatments are normally used when there are complications after a removal, an indication that the surgery was done incorrectly.” This is untrue, and since thousands of patients undergo this procedure on a routine basis after cataract surgery, the association feels it is important that this factual error be corrected.
Laser treatment is used after cataract surgery for correction of a secondary cataract or opacification of the posterior capsule of the lens. The posterior capsule of the lens is a cellophane-like structure in the eye which supports the intra-ocular lens implant. This cellophane-like membrane normally begins to opacify within weeks and sometimes even days of cataract surgery.
Such clouding of the membrane may result in reduced vision which is typically corrected by a laser procedure.
DAVID H. AIZUSS, M.D., San Francisco. Aizuss is vice president of the California Assn. of Ophthalmology.
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