Undisclosed Fiscal Ties

In a recent post nigh the disputation over the occupation too toll of femtosecond Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation cataract surgery, I relied inwards role on an article inwards Review of Optometry.  In that article too my post, Dr. Eric Donnenfeld was quoted maxim a set out of positive things nigh this device too surgical technique, spell other doctors took the opposing view.

What RO neglected to say, too what I failed to realize at the time, is that Dr. Donnenfeld is a consultant to Alcon, a manufacturer of this surgical device.  I constitute that disclosure here, from a recent continuing medical instruction conference.

RO also failed to yell that about other MD quoted inwards the even alongside positive comments nigh this technology, William Trattler, also has financial interests alongside Alcon.

Review of Optometry says it has the next mission:

Review of Optometry is committed to giving optometrists the data they ask to supply their patients top-quality assist inwards a personally rewarding exercise environment. It is a mag written for optometrists too yesteryear optometrists.

To last clear, in that place is naught untoward nigh doctors having a fiscal human relationship alongside equipment manufacturers, simply it is incorrect for a magazine to neglect to let out such associations. Readers rely on authors too editors to brand such associations evident.

It would also last incorrect for a physician to neglect to let out such relationships to his or her patients, specially when occupation of the equipment inwards query is associated alongside higher out-of-pocket costs to those patients. As noted inwards the RO article:

Any respectable OD would grip that communication is essential inwards virtually whatever patient relationship, simply it’s specially crucial alongside regards to what they tin await later on femto cataract surgery, especially if those expectations—and their personal fiscal burden—is high.

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