The safety of laser eye surgery was under the spotlight again last week after a story on the front page of The Times claimed equipment used by Boots Opticians was faulty. The August 28 report claimed Boots' patients were at risk of complications after US ophthalmologists questioned the Autonomous LadarVision System's results. Two surgeons are suing manufacturer Alcon because they claim the machines are 'malfunctioning'. The negative headline was just what the sector could do without as it continues to recover from previous media scares. Research group Mintel says volumes across the market fell last year by around 50-60 per cent. As soon as this latest story broke Boots immediately issued a statement saying there was no risk and the laser, the only one used in its nine clinics, was safe. It is in the process of contacting 49 patients to reassure them. Director of professional services David Cartwright told optician that The Times' story was based on one laser in one clinic Ð in Regent Street in London Ð for the period of January 2001, despite no reported problems. He said: 'Our understanding is that the laser is safe. We regularly audit all our results, and have done since the laser's introduction in 2001. We have not identified a problem, at any stage. We also understand the information from the States is contentious.' Alcon claims the surgeons have been involved in financial disputes with the company. A statement to professionals said: 'The story is based on allegations that are false and inaccurate and on the invalid contentions of parties who are attempting to avoid payment of multi-million dollar debts owed to Alcon by raising claims that are completely unsupported by scientific or legitimate evidence. We are appalled that a few litigants have chosen to put their personal financial interests above the good of patients, colleagues and the laser refractive industry as a whole.' Cartwright conceded this was a 'potentially' negative story about laser eye surgery, but did not believe it would have an impact on Boots' business nor undermine patient confidence in the procedure. 'We have had a handful of patients contact us, but we have reassured them. We have had no complaints from any patients and no one has cancelled or postponed their surgery.'