Laser surgeons to be assessed

The first independent laser surgery certificate has been launched by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists with the aim of improving standards and increasing public confidence in the procedure.

Established and aspiring surgeons will be assessed for competence to practise, subject to satisfactory yearly appraisals and continuing professional development. For a limited time, established surgeons will be able to gain the certificate without taking the full assessment. But they do have to submit a wide-ranging portfolio.

'The aim is to provide the public and the industry with the confidence of a consistent basic level of training, knowledge and understanding,' said Jeremy Prydal, chairman of the college's laser refractive surgery committee.