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 17 reviews or 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.
Frank Laser Says: September 14, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Whoa! Coolest Gadgets this is a serious risk and I am surprise it has made it to your page. I would like to hear from medical experts and also the manufactures as in the wrong hands this could cause to irrevocable damage.
kath Says: October 14, 2010 at 6:02 am
The excimer laser is really interesting, its real handy and i feel its real worth the money.
Katie Says: November 5, 2010 at 5:52 am
Oh my goodness! I am horrified to see this gadget being endorsed on your site Coolest Gadgets?! Please please readers be advised to see an expert. Laser eye treatment is a form of surgery, and we should never be carrying out these treatments on ourselves with DIY kits. I love some of the gadgets you have on your site, but this one should not even exist!
Edwin Says: November 5, 2010 at 8:59 am
Hi Katie, thanks for your concern but I’m quite sure our readers are discerning and intelligent enough 
Frank Clarivu Says: April 15, 2011 at 2:32 am
@Katie
This is not being endorsed on this site. The author clearly states:
“if it did somehow work, on a one-time only basis say, who in their right minds would take risks with their eyesight??!!”
But I totally agree… no one would do a DIY appendix removal would they! And that it probably safer.
Please Stop The Shizzle Stuff … | jbiggs.net Says: June 15, 2011 at 2:04 pm
[...] Do It Yourself Laser Eye Surgery Kit for $100 [...]
Frank Clarivu Says: August 10, 2011 at 7:45 am
I am happy to see that this idea still has not yet taken off! I think people are smart enough to stay away from doing their own surgery!! @RW just read your comment, pretty funny!
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