VOA标准英语2010年-US FDA Examining Failures of LASIK Eye

LASIK eye surgery is used to correct people's vision and end their need for glasses or contact lenses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the procedure 15 years ago. But now, a former government regulator is publicly expressing concerns about the procedure's safety.

A review of LASIK studies worldwide shows that 95 percent of those who have had LASIK surgery are happy with the results.

With LASIK, doctors use a laser to permanently¹ change the shape of the cornea to improve vision. The U.S. military considers Lasik so safe, the procedure is often performed on troops about to be deployed².

But some people who have undergone LASIK are left with permanently damaged vision. They see double, or have problems seeing at night or see starbursts or halos around lights.  Some people have lost their jobs and can no longer perform basic functions, such as driving due to bad outcomes from LASIK.

 Abby Ellin is one of the people not satisfied with the outcome of her LASIK procedure. "I was not a success because I had dry eyes and halos and everything else. That is not a success," she explained.

Now, the man who headed the office responsible for reviewing the data on LASIK at the Food and Drug Administration says those side effects were not taken seriously enough.  Morris Waxler is no longer with the agency.

"It's right there in the record, the agencies and the refractive surgeons," said Waxler.  "People know these problems occur and there doesn't seem to be a plan to handle some of the more difficult problems that are created."

Waxler says the agency should have provided better oversight³ and employed tougher standards for dealing⁴ with adverse⁵ effects of LASIK. The agency is now investigating patient reports of LASIK injuries and is working on a study of post-LASIK problems.

In addition, the agency requires the makers⁶ of machinery⁷ used in LASIK to meet certain standards before the agency will approve any new lasers used in this surgery.

In the meantime, Morris Waxler has advice for those thinking about having LASIK.

"Read everything you can. There's no urgency to do it.  So make sure you understand the worst that can happen to your eyes and you can live with the worst," added Waxler.

Dr. Penny Asbell, a doctor who performs the procedure, says people should be aware that not everyone is a good candidate for the surgery.

"Sometimes I think instead of asking how many LASIK procedures you have done, you should actually ask the doctor, how many have you turned away," noted⁸ Dr. Asbell.

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the practice of medicine in the U.S. It regulates the lasers used in the procedure.
 

1 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。

2 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

3 oversight   

n.勘漏，失察，疏忽

参考例句：

• I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。
• Your essay was not marked through an oversight on my part.由于我的疏忽你的文章没有打分。

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

5 adverse   

adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的

参考例句：

• He is adverse to going abroad.他反对出国。
• The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.用药不当会产生严重的不良反应。

6 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。