WASHINGTON -- The government says two major providers of laser eye surgery promised more than they could deliver.

The Laser Vision Institute, based in Lake Worth, Fla., and LasikPlus, based in Cincinnati, have settled charges that their advertising pitches weren't backed up by scientific evidence.

The Federal Trade Commission said the companies couldn't substantiate their claims that LASIK surgery eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses for the rest of a patient's life.

Also, LVI allegedly made a false claim regarding "free" LASIK consultations, but instead charged consumers a $300 deposit before they were told of the risks associated with the surgery, or if they were eligible candidates for the LASIK procedure. According to the FTC, the money was nonrefundable if, after the initial consultation, the consumers elected not to have the surgery.

The FTC says LCA-Vision Inc., which operates LasikPlus, did not have substantiation for its claim that its procedure eliminates the risk of glare and haloing.

The settlement bars the two firms from making similar claims in the future unless they can show evidence to support them.

"Companies offering any medical procedure shouldn't need glasses to see this clearly: if you over-promise, the FTC will act," said Howard Beales, the commission's director of consumer protection.

For people considering laser eye surgery, the FTC says to keep these items in mind:

Like any surgery, LASIK has potential risks. Talk to an eye doctor and then weigh the pros and cons of the procedure -- consumers should not sign up with their "eyes wide shut."
LASIK is not intended to correct presbyopia, or "aging eyes," the condition that requires most people to need reading glasses by their mid-40s.
LASIK surgery cannot be reversed. Consumers may need additional surgery, called "enhancements," to get the best possible vision after LASIK. Accordingly, consumers should consult their eye doctor about what to expect after the operation.
Most insurance plans do not cover the LASIK procedure.

For more information, read the FTC document: Basic LASIK: Tips on LASIK Eye Surgery.