Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 January 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 January 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what independent audits have taken place on the (a) efficacy and (b) safety of private provision of laser eye surgery.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what independent audits have taken place on the (a) efficacy and (b) safety of private provision of laser eye surgery. [209317] Ms Rosie Winterton: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reviewed available evidence on Laser in situ keratomileusis for the treatment of refractive errors (short and long- sightedness) and issued guidance to the national health service on 15 December 2004. A copy is available on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk/pdf/ip/IPG102public info.pdf . We are not aware of other independent audits.

Secondary information