Worldwide, an average 95.4% of LASIK patients are satisfied with their new vision, according to the first review of the world body of scientific literature, according to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS; Fairfax, Virginia).

"We find that there is solid evidence in the world's scientific literature to affirm that there is an exceptionally high level of satisfaction in patients who have had LASIK surgery. While no surgery is perfect, certainly the 19 peer–reviewed studies of 2,199 patients show extremely high satisfaction rates," said Richard Lindstrom, MD, president of the ASCRS.

The review is titled "LASIK: A Global Perspective on Patient Satisfaction."

The mission of the ASCRS is to advance the art and science of ophthalmic surgery and the knowledge and skills of ophthalmic surgeons.

EPA says copper can kill bacteria

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; New York) has approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, with public health claims. These claims acknowledge that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper is the first solid surface material to receive this type of EPA registration, which is supported by extensive antimicrobial efficacy testing.

The EPA registration is based on independent laboratory testing using EPA–prescribed protocols that demonstrate the metals' ability to kill specific disease–causing bacteria, including Methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a common cause of hospital– and community–acquired infections.

Testing under EPA–approved protocols demonstrates that copper, brasses and bronzes are effective against a number of disease–causing bacteria. For example, one study shows that on copper alloy surfaces, greater than 99.9% of MRSA "superbugs" are killed within two hours at room temperature.