Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (CRSQA, USAEyes) is an independent, nonprofit, patient/consumer health organization that provides detailed information about LASIK and certifies refractive surgery doctors based upon patient outcomes. USAEyes was founded by healthcare consultant Glenn Hagele in 1997

USAEyes operates a website that has information for patients considering conventional and wavefront LASIK, IntraLASIK, PRK, LASEK, Epi-LASIK, RLE, and other refractive surgery procedures. USAEyes also operates a sister website ComplicatedEyes.org that provides information for patients who are experiencing difficulties with LASIK related complications.

Surgeon certification
According to USAEyes, refractive surgeons applying for certification must provide documentation stating that they meet certain professional and surgical standards. Documentation is subject to review and audit. USAEyes reports that these certifications are re-evaluated every three months.

Patient outcomes from doctors seeking certification are compared against the current national norms for refractive surgery patients. To become certified, doctors must meet or exceed the national norm as defined by USAEyes' Advisory Committee.

Funding
USAEyes is funded through the certification fees required of ophthalmologists. These fees amount to US$3,250 for the initial evaluation and certification process, then US$1,250 every three months thereafter for reevaluation and recertification.

Criticism
CRSQA founder Glenn Hagele has been criticized by a small number of very vocal refractive surgery opponents. Hagele has claimed that these individuals have intended to defame his reputation, have publicized his personal identity including Social Security number , and has sued the owners of the websites alleging defamation, invasion of privacy, and unlawful activities.

Groups

 * USAEyes Website
 * Lasik Complications website

Government Testimony

 * Glenn Hagele testimony to FDA ophthalmic devices panel regarding Artisan-Verisyse phakic intraocular lens.
 * Glenn Hagele testimony to FDA ophthalmic devices panel regarding Refractec NearVision Conductive Keratoplasty (CK).
 * Ways & Means testimony to the Subcommittee on Health by Ha T. Tu, Senior Health Researcher, Center for Studying Health System Change.

News
US News & World Report, 25 February 2007
 * "Lasik, The Eyes Have It"

New York Times, 17 April 2001 Wall Street Journal, 6 January 2004 Washington Post, 5 December 2006
 * "Bankruptcy Leaves Eye Patients in the Lurch"
 * "New Wave of Eye Surgery"
 * "Maturity Becomes Lasik"

''Oprah! Magazine'', June 2006
 * "10 Minutes, Perfect Vision"

National Public Radio (NPR), 19 October 2006
 * "Your Questions on Lasik Eye Surgery"

New York NewsDay, 2 November 2004
 * "Implantable Lens is a New Vision Correction Option"

Seattle Times, 10 February 2002
 * "Lasik and the risks: Lawsuits shed light on dangers"

SmartMoney, 2003
 * "10 Things Your Eye Doctor Won't Tell You"

St Petersburg Times, 13 January 2004
 * "New outlook for older eyes"

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 August 2003
 * "Wavefront expands treatment"

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 February 2001
 * "Looking clearly at Lasik"

Cincinnati City Beat, August 2000
 * "Eye-Opening Competition"

Ft. Wayne News Sentinel, 11 May 2001
 * "LASIK care practices bounce patients between eye specialists"

Sacramento Business Journal, 14 April 2006
 * "What could go wrong? Lasik@Home Hoax"

Colorado Springs Gazette, 2 May 2000
 * "LASER WARS/ Focus on reality when pondering eye surgery"

Cornell Daily Sun, 24 January 2007
 * "From Four Eyes To Two"

Moorpark Acorn, 7 January 2007
 * "Eye surgeon uses alternatives to Lasik"

The Report Newsmagazine, August 2000
 * "It's Not For Everyone: Laser eye surgery"

Ophthalmology Trade News
EyeWorld, June 2003
 * "Do patients think 'MD' is enough?"

Ophthalmology Times, 1 September 2002
 * "Getting a clearer vision of the refractive marketplace"

Ophthalmology Management March 2002
 * "Targeting With Precision"

Ocular Surgery News, 15 December 2001
 * "AAO meeting takes a close look at refractive surgery as it matures"

Review of Ophthalmology, December 1999
 * "Patients and the Web"

''Review of Optometry", August 1999
 * "Two Groups Raise the Standards For Refractive Surgery Procedures"