The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is advising its officers not to have laser eye surgery after several studies linked the procedure to reduced night vision.

At the same time, the Ontario Provincial Police, OPP's union is letting its officers know about a discount offer on the treatment.

The RCMP recommendation came after a routine review of research data.

Dr. Jean-Pierre Legault, is the health service officer for Ontario. He says his department knows there is a problem, but they don't know how severe that problem is.

Currently, the police force isn't barring its officers from undergoing the treatment, but those considering the operation will be warned of the possible complications.

Studies conducted in Canada, Britain and Germany found between 30 and 70 per cent of patients experienced a significant loss of night vision after undergoing the surgery.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a warning on the Internet at the start of December. They laid out the risks of the surgery, including permanent vision loss and reduced night vision.

Flip side

But the industry disputes the studies, and maintains the procedure is safe. It points to to other research findings showing the surgery has a high success rate.

The Ontario police union also falls on this side of the debate. It's telling its members about a discount offer on the procedure.

The offer originated with TLC Laser Centres of Mississauga and is now under fire from consumer advocates and some police force members.

The offer was sent out through the police force's e-mail system December 1st. It stated all police officers could receive a discount of 40 per cent off the cost of corrective laser eye surgery during the month of January.

But Debbie McKenna, executive officer for the association, says the e-mail message was not meant to be an endorsement of the procedure. McKenna says it's up to the individual to decide whether or not to be treated.