Wacky Gadgets
Do It Yourself Laser Eye Surgery Kit for $100
I thought this was a belated April Fool’s joke, but it seems to be serious. Can you imagine buying a gadget that appears to claim to perform a surgical procedure on your eyes?
The hand-held “excimer laser” purportedly performs a two-step procedure, first cutting a small flap in the cornea of your eye, the second vaporises a small section of the lens. It’s claimed that the whole procedure is virtually painless, but there’s a footnote pointing out that the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t yet evaluated that claim.
The DIY kit costs 100 USD and comes with the following:
A Scal-Pal hand-operated excimer combination laser.
A mild sedative.
Eye drops to prevent blinking.
A quick start guide.
A post operative sleeping mask.
The kit doesn’t seem to come with the antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications that you would normally take for a week after such an operation.
When you apply online for your home kit, you’re asked to specify your prescription for each eye, and you have to be over 18.
A few things come to mind.
Excimer lasers usually cost five figure sums and need some serious power requirements. I did a web search for the “world’s smallest excimer laser”. The smallest I found was about the size of a microwave oven, and was relatively low powered; so I’m a bit sceptical that a hand-held excimer laser can be made for 100 dollars.
Secondly, if it did somehow work, on a one-time only basis say, who in their right minds would take risks with their eyesight??!!
Found via glist.com
I’m not linking to the product page, but you can check out the claims for yourself by visiting lasikathome dot com.
Join 10 Comments
Nick Burns Says: April 15, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Yes, it is a hoax…
Gianfranco Lopane Says: May 5, 2006 at 9:14 am
Come on, who going to buy this!!??? maybe a person who wants to have completely white-eyes!
Karlos Says: August 17, 2006 at 11:40 am
I am a doctor never advice this please dont play with people eyes
Halokinq Says: June 21, 2007 at 8:47 pm
OMG- I had lenses implanted because I couldn’t get LASIK, but this would be for retards. Check the site below for images and video of the surgery I had to correct my vision. This is product above is either a scam, hoax, or will hurt someone.
Dr. Melvert Says: November 7, 2007 at 12:03 am
I have recommended this device to many of my lower income patients. Over 15% have had no complications. The process is quite easy, however the results vary. But when compared to the bother of glasses and contacts, isn’t it worth the risk of losing your sight to be able to be a normal person?
JoeyB Says: May 19, 2008 at 8:36 am
I’m an ophthalmologist, and yes, this is totally a hoax.
P.S. Hey, Dr. Melvert, where did you go to medical school? Oh, that’s right…EVIL Medical school!!
me Says: May 19, 2008 at 10:25 am
GO BLIND for only $100! What a great offer!
Over 15% have had no complications. The process is quite easy, however the results vary.
What a great offer!
RW Says: November 19, 2009 at 11:16 am
OK! This is a great start. Now, does anyone know if I can get a home neurosurgical kit. You know, I’ve had this really bad pain in my head accompanied by dizziness and loss of eyesight. I think I may have a brain tumor but I don’t like going to the doctor. I thought perhaps I could take care of this at home myself so I don’t have to pay the 20.00 co-pay. Any help will be appreciated.
jared Says: December 24, 2009 at 1:26 pm
It’s fake.
Al Says: April 14, 2006 at 4:58 pm
This has got to be a joke and if not any idiots who do this deserve to go blind