The price of Laser eye surgery

Edly Destine

Physics 12^th Grade

RICE HIGH SCHOOL

YAHOO IM: TWISTEDBALISTICS

Introduction

Suppose you are watching television one day and notice that you have to squint to see the screen clearly. You decide to visit an optometrist for a vision screening. After the screening, the optometrist tells you that you have a vision problem called myopia (nearsightedness). Does this mean you will have to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to see? In the past, the answer to your question would have been yes. But wait! There is another option, laser eye surgery. You may have noticed television commercials that advertise a type of laser eye surgery called LASIK. What is laser eye surgery? Can laser eye surgery correct myopia? Why does it have to be a luxury for such a pivotal and important yet basic healthcare need?

Task

Your job in this Web Quest is to learn all about laser eye surgery. You will learn what types of vision problems can be corrected by laser eye surgery. You will explore the many different types of laser eye surgery and identify the ones that are used to correct myopia. Because not every patient is a candidate for laser eye surgery, you will determine if you are a potential candidate for this type of vision correction. You will also find out about the advantages and disadvantages of laser eye surgery. Finally, you will answer a set of questions to demonstrate what you have learned about laser eye surgery, and make a decision about whether or not you would choose to have this surgery.

Process

You will be divided into groups. This is a group project. Choose roles as follows:

Physician-collect and analyze the procedure of laser eye surgery (use the resources selected below in the resource section); responsibilities also include keeping records of this for the entire group

Health scientist- takes the date from the Physicists and looks for effects as they relate to health issues of people who received the surgery

Activist or a politician-is responsible to writing the final two -page paper for the group to be presented to the teacher

You will have to follow the steps below in developing and presenting your work. Each link below will take you to the web site of Syracuse University, where you will find extended explanation for the terms:

(1) Define the problem

(2) Gather evidence

(3) Identify causes

(4) Evaluate a policy

(5) Develop solutions

(6) Select best solution

Use these worksheets to define the problem, gather evidence, identify causes, evaluate a policy, develop solutions, and select best solution.

Resources

Laser eye surgery: Is it worth looking into?

Comprehensive Info on LASIK and Other Vision Surgery Techniques.

The LASIK procedure

Introduction to refractive errors

Evaluation

Criteria	Exemplary 4	Accomplished 2-3	Beginning 1	Total Score
Participation in writing paper	Had a good understanding of topic and gave viewpoint.	Somewhat understood topic and offered viewpoint only when asked.	Didn't understand topic and could not offer viewpoint when asked.
Summary of findings	Included important facts about Global Warming.	Included most important facts but left out one or two important facts.	Had one or two important facts but left most facts out of summary.
Graphic Appeal	Had appropriate graphics that enhanced project.	Had some graphics but did not necessarily enhance project.	Did not have graphics or graphics were inappropriate for topic.
Persuasiveness	Was able to persuade others in to his/her way of thinking.	Tried to persuade only when prompted.	Although prompted, did not try to persuade.
Presentation	Used appropriate presentation skills most of the time.	Used appropriate presentation skills some of the time.	Did not use appropriate presentation skills.
References cited	Cited references	Had most references cited	Had some references cited
Understanding of Role	Showed a clear understanding of their group's point of view.	Showed some understanding of their group's point of view.	Showed no real understanding of their group's point of view.
Group participation	Were helpful and participated in-group activities.	When prompted participated in-group activities.	Did not participate in-group unless prompted several times.
TOTAL

Standard

The present Web Quest focuses on the following Science Performance Standards:

S5 Scientific Thinking

S5d: Proposes, recognizes, analyzes, considers, and critiques alternative explanations; and distinguishes between fact and opinion.

S5e: Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.

S6 Scientific Tools and Technologies

S6d: Acquires information from multiple sources.

S7: Scientific Communication

S7a: Represents data and results in multiple ways.

S7b: Argues from evidence.

This web quest also focuses on the following English Language Arts Performance Standards:

E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a: Produce a report of information.

E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.

E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

Conclusion

In the process of completing this Web Quest, you’ve become familiar with the types of vision problems that can be corrected with laser eye surgery, and become informed about the types of laser eye surgery available. You have developed research skills as you explored the web sites given and identified the relevant information to answer the set of questions above. Did your research convince you that laser eye surgery are an effective treatment for vision problems? And did it show that the price for this treatment should be reduced so it’s not such a luxury?