2006/012 NICE issues guidance on laser eye surgery for treating refractive errors

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today (22 March) issued guidance on photorefractive (laser) eye surgery for the treatment of refractive errors (short and long-sightedness) to determine whether it is safe enough and works well enough for use. The guidance does not recommend that laser eye surgery should be offered to patients routinely on the NHS, as for most people eye problems can easily be corrected by wearing spectacles or contact lenses.