Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 11/98) - David Veerasammy doesn't expect to ever wear glasses again.

And, for the 28-year-old Yellowknife resident who has been wearing corrective lenses for 15 years, laser surgery has made a world of difference.

"Glasses are restrictive -- they fog up in the winter, they fall down, you can't go swimming -- I've thought about this (corrective surgery) for four years," he said.

Veerasammy, who had his surgery at the Gimbel Eye Centre in Calgary last month, is one of an increasing number of Northern residents who are heading south for the surgery.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Len Smith said the surgery is becoming more popular across the country and "There is a high success rate."

The laser surgery, which takes about 10 minutes per eye, changes the curvature of the cornea and alters the strength of the lens.

"In the case of near-sightedness, you flatten the cornea -- you shave off layers of the cornea," he said.

While the surgery definitely has its benefits, it doesn't come without a price -- one that's not covered by medicare. At the Gimbel Eye Clinic, the procedure costs $4,400 for both eyes.

Despite the cost, Veerasammy said it's well worth the convenience of not wearing glasses.

"It's well worth it -- it costs a lot of money but, if you can do it, it's great," he said.

Bert Griffin, who also had the surgery less than a month ago, agrees.

"It's also tax deductible -- it falls under medical expenses," he said.

Even though the procedure is becoming more and more popular, it's unlikely it will become available in the NWT in the next few years, said Smith.

"The lasers are too expensive and the kind of technical support required are far too much for the population," he said.