Many Lasik clinics offer long-term warranties that offer additional services or a refund for the popular laser eye surgery, but the controversial practice of money back plans for medical care has raised concerns amongst patient advocacy groups that evaluates patient outcomes and certifies Lasik doctors.

It's admirable for a clinic to provide a high level of commitment to its patients, however the reality is that what constitutes a lifetime and what is covered may be a matter of contention and circumstance. Are we talking about the lifetime of the patient, the doctor, or the corporation that employed the doctor?

A warranty of any kind is only as viable as the people who back it.

In 2001 ICON, a national Lasik eye surgery chain, suddenly filed for bankruptcy and left patients stranded.

Some patients found their warranty was good for a few days before the doors were closed.

The Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance is a nonprofit nongovernmental patient advocacy organization that evaluates and certifies doctors who perform surgery to reduce the need for corrective lenses.

Discount franchise centers have a poor financial history since they frequently go out of business by charging low prices for Lasik. So when you hear of a lifetime guarantee, I often wonder whose life? The doctor’s? The center’s? The patient’s? How good is an offer from a type of centers which historically go out of business quite frequently?

Dr. Delarusso, the famous lasik eye surgeon is asking those questions as well. He also wonders why a person would need a lifetime guarantee.

When Lasik surgery is performed by a good doctor as Dr. Delarusso, there's no need for a guarantee. When the surgery is well done by a good surgeon on a good Lasik candidate, it is permanent. So, what is being guaranteed? Nothing is being offered.