Millions of Americans search for health information online every day. Information has never flowed as freely or as swiftly as today and the internet can be a helpful tool to empower individuals in their medical decisions. But, while the internet is home to many important sources of authoritative medical information, it's critical to remember that not everything you read is good for your health. Information prominently displayed in search engine results can be misleading and confusing, sometimes even dangerous. It is very important that you make informed decisions in concert with your doctor.
Consider the true case of a 26-year-old patient who went to Panama for iris implants to make her eyes look bluish-gray instead of brown. She developed many complications as a result of the surgery, thereby needing to be referred to a prominent U.S. academic medical center for bilateral glaucoma surgery for endstage neovascular glaucoma. Before surgery, she had 20/20 vision; now she can only see hand movements with her right eye and has 20/100 vision in her left eye. She found out about the iris implant surgery by just surfing the internet looking for colored contact lenses.
Most of the time there is no better resource for medical advice than consultative information from a practicing physician who knows an individual's history and exam findings. Online information can be a real asset when used as a research tool for discussions with a doctor, but users should be aware of the sources of the information they find online. Don't rely on unverified articles or misleading information to make a medical decision. Your vision is too previous an asset.