Science: Concern over eye surgery benefits

One in six people having laser treatment to correct short sight fails to gain normal vision as a result of the operation, experts say.Studies show 15 per cent of patients still have to wear glasses after the operation and 3-4 per cent suffer more serious side effects.

Demand for laser eye surgery has grown as the price has fallen from around pounds 1,500 per eye two years ago to under pounds 400 today. About 10,000 people in Britain are expected to undergo the treatment this year. An investigation for the Channel 4 series, Health Alert, to be shown tonight, found no eye surgeon in Britain who had undergone the procedure. Jeremy Laurance