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CAS3
08-02-04, 11:47 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VA Establishes New Laser Eye Surgery Policies

WASHINGTON (August 2, 2004)-- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has
announced a new policy providing a single, uniform standard of care
throughout the Department for performing laser eye surgery procedures.

"Our Department has no higher priority than to ensure veterans receive the
highest possible quality health care at all of our facilities," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "This new policy will
provide an additional level of safety for our patients who come to us for
eye care."

VA's new policy states that all therapeutic laser eye surgeries at VA
facilities will be performed under the supervision of an ophthalmologist in
a manner consistent with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO) standards.

Only optometrists who are fully trained and appropriately licensed will be
granted clinical privileges by the department to perform therapeutic laser
eye surgery under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.

Presently, Oklahoma is the only state that licenses optometrists to perform
laser surgery. VA will continue to evaluate and consider state and national
standards of practice as it sets its own standard of care.

VA currently operates 158 hospitals, 132 nursing homes, 42 residential
rehabilitation treatment programs, and 854 outpatient clinics. The new
policy will take effect immediately at all facilities with the capability to
perform laser eye surgeries.