With all the recent debate on gene-doped athletes, LASIK was catapulted into the spotlight as genetic modification (GM) advocates argued that gene-doping was not that different from providing LASIK eye correction surgery to athletes. Here at Lasik World, we won’t bother arguing whether that is a tenable assertion or a groundless marketing statement, but we will address the provision of LASIK surgery for athletes.

Recently, it was announced that two Singapore national sailors would be provided LASIK eye correction surgery from the Singapore National Eye Centre in hope of improving their vision for better sporting results. In fact, it was suggested that this programme be provided to all Singaporean sportsmen (and women) in a bid to give them an edge in today’s highly competitive international sporting arena.

So, is this wrong? Well, no. Anybody out there, whether sportsman or not, can opt to undergo LASIK. So, why should sportspeople receiving free LASIK be a problem? Many people are born to this world with almost perfect, if not perfect, vision. All LASIK does is to undo the ravages of nature and culture (i.e. reading, computers, etc.). This I believe is the key difference between gene-doping and LASIK eye correction surgery, but as I said earlier, I’m not going to be touching the debate at all.

Thus, let’s end here for today.