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 LASIK Plus and Laser Vision Institute Settle Federal Charges

Cincinnati, OH

According to EyeWorld Week and the Federal Trade Commission, LCA Vision, owner of LASIK Plus Vision Centers, and Laser Vision Institute agreed last week to settle federal charges that they did not have scientific evidence to support claims that their LASIK procedures would eliminate for the life the need for glasses, contact lenses, reading glasses, and bifocals.  The Federal trade commission said LCA Vision also made unproven claims that its procedure was less risky to patients' eyes than contacts.  The settlement agreement bars the companies from making such claims in the future without proof.  The FTC also said that LVI made false claims that consumers would receive free consultations to see if they were good candidates for the procedure.  After the initial meeting, the company required people to pay $300 before it told them if they were good candidates and revealed the risks involved. The companies ads ran nationwide, and by settling the companies don't admit to breaking any laws. 

More Information on this Topic on the Web:
"Federal Trade Commission Stops Allegedly Misleading Representations",
     FTC Web Site, 2003.