SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the present situation of refractive surgery in Latin America.
MATERIAL AND METHOD:
Questionnaire analyzing demographics for each country, techniques used, cost of equipment and prices charged for services. Suggestions and criticisms to the present situation of refractive surgery were also studied. The questionnaires were answered by representatives from the International Society of Refractive Surgery. The research was concluded on 03/30197.
RESULTS:
Two hundred equipment are in use in Latin America. The prices charged for services vary between US$ 200 and 2200, with regional variations. Complaints regarding unethical behavior, high price for equipment and low price for services constitute the main problems in the region.
CONCLUSION:
Technology and high cost for equipment as opposed to the low prices charged for services, below the initial expectation. A deviation from the ethic behavior on the part of professionals demand a program to update the technique and ethics. Despite these problems the future prospective is considered good.
Key words:
Lasik, PRK; Refractive surgery; Latin America