《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》55 Reducing Risks in Eyesight Corrective Surgery

　　Unit 55
Reducing Risks in Eyesight Corrective Surgery
Thanks to modern technologies, we now have the solutions to most eyesight problems. Doctors can use different treatments -- PRK, Lasik, Lasek and Intraocular lenses -- to solve all types of eyesight problems while limiting the side effects. Most eye procedures are about as safe and effective as surgery can be. However, for an industry that promises clarity, many centers have kept their patients in the dark about the risks and realities. Government are of no help either as there are no restrictions¹ on who can buy medical instruments. But most hospitals insist that doctors have some form of medical accreditation² before performing eye surgery.
Despite a good record of the surgery, thousands of people around the world get an irreversible eye operation that goes awry³. The consumer-advocate website surgicaleyes.com posts a sobering series of unhappy endings -- infected corneas, triple vision, daily nausea⁵ and permanently⁶ marred⁷ eyesight. The message boards are full of people who came out of Lasik with far better vision but still in misery⁸, handicapped by poor night vision, stinging dry eyes and worse. It's vital to research the subject if you're considering surgery. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you see things clearly.
Know what you're getting into. If you believe all the ads, after eye surgery, you'll be able to read the bottom line of an eye chart through a brick wall. If only it were true. You may not wind up with a vision as good as is promised. Besides, you might be a poor candidate. Eye surgery still isn't fit for people with certain severe vision problems or an eye disease. The same goes for children under 18 and pregnant women, whose eyes may be undergoing changes. So don't be shocked if a doctor gazes into your eyes and shows you the door. Finally, be prepared for side effect. Some complain of dry eyes and require eye drops known as artificial tears for months. Others see halos and star bursts while driving at night. Fortunately such symptoms tend to be minor⁹ and fade away.
Find a doctor. Ask friends for referrals or look for a surgeon on the Internet. Whatever you do, don't make a decision on a rock-bottom price. You have only one set of eyes.
Ask the doctor right questions: Who will be doing the procedure? Easily available and open communication with the surgeon and his team are hallmarks of a good practice. What are your credentials¹⁰? Your doctor should be certified¹¹, with extra training in the conditions of cornea. How much experience do you have? A recent study found that the rate of surgical⁴ complications for four doctors doing Lasik was 1.3 percent in their first 1,000 procedures --and 0.47 for their next 3,000 surgeries. That's some learning curve. What's your complication rate? The best doctors have a serious surgical complication rate below 1 percent. Be wary¹² of surgeons who can't answer this question or centers that won't give information about the doctor who will be operating on you. What's included in the price? Watch out for centers that offer a low price and then charge for extras for postoperative visits. While this can be the hook these centers use o get you in the door, it doesn't necessarily mean they are a bad deal or offer inferior care.

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 accreditation   

n.委派，信赖，鉴定合格

参考例句：

• a letter of accreditation 一份合格证明书
• This paper gives an overview of the Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) in High Level Architecture(HLA). 对基于高层体系结构(High Level Architecture,简称HLA)的仿真系统的校核、验证与确认(Verification, Validation and Accreditation,简称VV&A)问题进行了详细的介绍及分析。 来自互联网

3 awry   

adj.扭曲的，错的

参考例句：

• She was in a fury over a plan that had gone awry. 计划出了问题，她很愤怒。
• Something has gone awry in our plans.我们的计划出差错了。

4 surgical   

adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的

参考例句：

• He performs the surgical operations at the Red Cross Hospital.他在红十字会医院做外科手术。
• All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use.所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。

5 nausea   

n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶)

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕期常有恶心的现象。
• He experienced nausea after eating octopus.吃了章鱼后他感到恶心。

6 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

7 marred   

adj. 被损毁, 污损的

参考例句：

• The game was marred by the behaviour of drunken fans. 喝醉了的球迷行为不轨，把比赛给搅了。
• Bad diction marred the effectiveness of his speech. 措词不当影响了他演说的效果。

8 misery   

n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦

参考例句：

• Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
• He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。

9 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

10 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

11 certified   

a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的

参考例句：

• Doctors certified him as insane. 医生证明他精神失常。
• The planes were certified airworthy. 飞机被证明适于航行。

12 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。