Risks of Lasik must be explained warns FDA

Promotional material and advertisements for Lasik corrective surgery must inform consumers of the risks associated with the procedure US regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned.

In a letter to providers of the procedure the watchdog said that advertisements and price promotions did not always convey necessary warnings about side-effects and that other precautions were deceptive.

'Advertising and promotional materials for FDA-approved lasers used during Lasik procedures must be truthful, properly substantiated and not misleading,' wrote Timothy Ulatowski, head of the Office of Compliance for the FDA's Centre for Devices and Radiological health.

The letter was issued following an investigation by the FDA over patient complaints about how Lasik had induced symptoms including blurriness, double-vision and depression.