Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

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

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

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[edit] Surgeon certification

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

[edit] Funding

The CRSQA is funded through the certification fees it charges to 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.

[edit] Criticism

CRSQA founder 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 [1], and has sued the owner of the critical websites [2].

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Glenn Hagele Responds to CyberAssasins.
  2. ^ Hagele v Brent Hanson Defamation.

[edit] External links

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