Ultralase hits back with data on re-treat rate

Chester-based Ultralase has claimed to be the first laser eye provider to announce audited results in an attempt to clear up what the company says is a misconception among the public.
Chartered accountants PKF audited Ultralase's data and found that over the two-year period 2001-2002 the business performed 494 enhancements out of a total of 39,518 procedures, a re-treatment rate of 1.23 per cent.
Ultralase told optician this week that with 98 per cent of all its treated patients achieving minimum driving standard or better, the Lasik procedure was 'highly effective'.
Andy Jarosz, the clinic group's technical manager, said: 'There is often public misconception that a re-treatment means the initial procedure has failed. This is absolutely untrue.
'In many cases the first treatment can reduce an extreme short-sight prescription of, say -10.00D down to -1.00D, which for many people would be an incredibly good result. If a second treatment can reduce the -1.00D to zero, we would certainly consider this as an option.'
He said that recent press articles had highlighted the disparity of information available from laser eye companies.
'Ultralase have always encouraged patients to ask searching questions before they a consultation, at the consultation itself and, of course, on the day of treatment,' he commented.