LASIK Complications - Top Ten Reasons Not to Have LASIK

Welcome to LASIKComplications.com

Thank you for visiting this website. The information contained on this site is presented for the purpose of warning people about LASIK risks, side effects and complications prior to surgery. LASIK patients experiencing problems should seek the advice of a physician. If you believe that patients have a right to be fully informed, tell all of your glasses-wearing friends and family members about this site.

Problems from LASIK? File a report with the FDA.

"More than 90 percent of our knowledge is obtained through our eyes, making vision the most valued of the senses." Source: Boston Foundation for Sight website.

You Know Big Tobacco, Now Meet Big LASIK

• Big Tobacco attempted to silence and discredit its critics. Tobacco industry whistleblowers were threatened and harassed. Big LASIK attempts to discredit outspoken critics of LASIK. LASIK patients who speak out about problems with the procedure are threatened and harassed.
• Big Tobacco said that drinking one to two glasses of whole milk a day was riskier than second-hand smoke. Big LASIK says that wearing contact lenses is riskier than having LASIK surgery.
• Big Tobacco advertised low-tar cigarettes as "the cigarette that takes the FEAR out of smoking". Big LASIK currently advertises blade-free LASIK as the technology that takes the FEAR out of LASIK.
• Big Tobacco said that "unhappiness causes cancer". Big LASIK says that patient personality factors are to blame for LASIK dissatisfaction.

Meet Big LASIK

Patient Satisfaction After LASIK

The LASIK industry claims that 95% of LASIK patients are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery. But is a "happy" patient a patient without side effects or complications? Take a closer look at patient satisfaction after LASIK...

20% complication rate six months after LASIK
in FDA-required clinical trials

From the report: "In [FDA] studies, ~15% of patients experienced night vision symptoms that were worse or significantly worse than preoperative night vision symptoms. Approximately 20% of patients experienced dryness symptoms that were worse or significantly worse than preoperative dryness." View complication table from report. Source: Bailey MD, Zadnik K. Outcomes of LASIK for myopia with FDA-approved lasers. Cornea. 2007 Apr;26(3):246-54.

BEWARE of Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

When there is LASIK industry money involved, you can be sure that risks and complications are downplayed or hidden.

There are individuals and organizations on the Internet, funded by LASIK surgeons, posing as "LASIK patient advocates", "LASIK experts", or LASIK education sites. Don't be fooled by these LASIK marketing scams. Any organization that refers patients to LASIK surgeons, provides a list of LASIK surgeons, or receives money from the LASIK industry is not looking out for the best interest of patients. Information on LASIK surgeon referral sites is biased and unreliable.

LasikTube - Videos of bad LASIK outcomes

Hear stories of LASIK disasters. See television news reports of problems with LASIK. Listen to the warnings of patients who deeply regret having LASIK.

Go to LasikTube

Advocacy

Q. What do 63% of LASIK Surgery Watch members have in common? Answer

On Facebook? Join the LASIK Patient Advocacy Network. Founded by Scott Tolchin, the cause seeks to raise awareness of problems and risks of LASIK surgery, and to serve as an advocate on behalf of LASIK patients.

An Inconvenient Truth - The LASIK Report

The LASIK Report is an analysis of the peer-reviewed medical literature of LASIK. The report concludes that LASIK is an inherently harmful procedure and should be abandoned.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO LASIK PATIENTS

If you did not receive a copy of your LASIK medical records, print this form and have it completed by your LASIK surgeon. In some states medical records may be destroyed after five years.

Why do I need my records? Find out here

Is LASIK safe in the military?

Death of soldier linked to hazy vision after laser eye surgery - One of the four shooters, Staff Sgt. Trevor Alders, had recently had PRK laser eye surgery. Although he could see two sets of hands "straight up," his vision was "hazy," he said. Source

Researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Soldiers experiencing postoperative glare, haze, and starbursts could be significantly impaired in their ability to perform nighttime duties, thereby reducing the ability to perform their military functions safely. In a worst-case scenario, postoperative impairment of night vision may lead to increased risk for injury or even death. (Jayson et al, 2008)

LASIK in the military »

Other Notable Quotes

"Recently, the visual optical system has taken on a new clinical significance in refractive surgery, since current refractive procedures can and do induce large amounts of higher-order ocular aberration that often affects the patient’s daily visual function and quality of life." (Yang et al, 2010)

"To put it more simply, the corneal flap after LASIK provides no more corneal strength than the wearing of a contact lens." William Jory, MD. J Refract Surg. 2004 May-Jun;20(3):286.

"These results show that although refractive results after LASIK are relatively good in the short term, they tend to decline over time". (Zalentein et al, 2009)

"Indeed, the long-term problems created by laser refractive surgery are not yet a major issue, but soon will be". (Mantry and Shah, 2005)

"From what I have seen and witnessed from many patients, I feel at the present time LASIK presents a significant public health crisis.” Dr. Edward Boshnick 4/25/2008

More quotes

Click here to CONTACT US or email...

"Who in their right mind would want to undergo LASIK after viewing these
photos?" Email from an eye doctor 8/21/2009.

Top Ten Reasons Not to Have LASIK Surgery

If you're considering LASIK, you've probably heard a lot about the supposed benefits of the surgery. But what about the risks and long-term consequences? Don't rely solely on a LASIK sales pitch for the facts. Before you risk your eyesight, read Top Ten Reasons Not to Have LASIK Surgery. Our advice: Keep your glasses!

***LATEST NEWS***

7/7/2010: State launches investigation into Lasik eye surgeon, Paul Cutarelli. Read article

5/10/2010: Former FDA chief of ophthalmic devices warns that LASIK risks outweigh benefits. Read letter

4/19/2010: FDAWeb.com editor criticizes FDA regulation of LASIK devices and its relationship with the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and criticizes FDA's decision to collaborate with Department of Defense (Navy) in LASIK study. Read letter

3/18/2010: Federal class action lawsuit accuses TLC LASIK Centers of performing LASIK on bad candidates and of a cover-up involving fraud and deception. Read article; Read lawsuit. Watch video:

Post-LASIK Contact Lenses

From the Editor: Few contact lens companies are interested in designing lenses specifically for post-surgical corneas. And why would they? LASIK is 'supposed' to eliminate the need for contact lenses and glasses for life, right? If your experience was anything like mine, LASIK didn't work, didn't last, or made your vision worse. Now what? SynergEyes PS contact lenses have worked best for me. These lenses are designed to fit post-surgical corneas. I can wear them more comfortably than traditional hard lenses. If you're searching for solutions to vision problems after LASIK, ask your optometrist about
SynergEyes.

ABC Good Morning America 2/25/2010
Former FDA Regulator Says LASIK Side Effects
Weren't Taken Seriously Enough

Make Your Voice Heard!

If you experienced problems after LASIK, such as starbursts, halos, multiple images, night driving difficulty, chronic dry eyes or other complications, you should report it to the FDA: File a report

Submit comments to the FDA public docket to let the FDA know how LASIK negatively affected your vision and quality of life: Comment

Many injured LASIK patients feel they are victims of deceptive LASIK ads that imply risk-free, perfect vision without glasses. Read the FDA letter regarding false and misleading advertising of LASIK. Instructions for filing a complaint are provided in the last paragrah: Report deceptive LASIK ads

You can verify a LASIK surgeon's license to practice medicine, check for state disciplinary action, or file a complaint with your state medical board. Click here to find contact information for your state medical board: Medical Boards

Industry Watch

4/5/2010:LCA-Vision [LasikPlus] procedures dropped 31.6 percent in first quarter. Read article

2/7/2010: LCA-Vision [LasikPlus] looks for new business model as LASIK volumes tank. LASIK patient advocate says LASIK mills have great incentive to conceal problems. Read article

1/14/2010: Lasik Vision Institute files Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Read article

12/21/2009: TLC Vision, Tiger Woods Sponsor, Files for Bankruptcy. Read article

10/27/2009: Read list of LASIK clinics that received FDA warning letters. Link to article

10/15/2009: TLC Vision and LasikPlus issued warning letters by FDA for noncompliance with federal law for reporting LASIK problems. Source

LASIK Digest

Color photographs and topographies: Flap Complications, Epithelial Ingrowth, Post-LASIK Ectasia, Corneal Transplant, Radial Keratotomy (RK).

Consumer Reports Health survey finds 53% of laser eye surgery patients experience at least one side effect and 22% still have problems six months after surgery. Read more

LASIK surgeons don't warn prospective patients of the risk of LASIK-related depression and suicide, but they should. Learn why

In 2008, then-FDA medical device chief Daniel Schultz said the agency needs to study the reasons for LASIK dissatisfaction. Yet, the FDA seems to ignore the reports filed with the FDA by LASIK patients who experience problems. We have republished some of the more recent reports here.

The latest LASIK industry hype is 'blade-free' or 'all-laser' LASIK. This technology is advertised as iLASIK, IntraLASIK, or IntraLase and involves cutting the flap with a femtosecond laser. Beware of serious risks and complications of this technology. Read more

LASIK Flap Never Heals...

"Another aspect of LASIK surgery is that during this procedure, a corneal flap is made, which will create lifelong lamellar corneal potential space." (Galal et al, 2006)

"The LASIK flap once cut may contribute little to the mechanical stability of the cornea and probably never completely adheres to the underlying stromal bed..." (O'Brart et al, 2007)

April 2008 FDA Hearing on LASIK

In response to public outcry of widespread problems with LASIK, the FDA held a public meeting on April 25, 2008 to hear from a panel of experts and patients harmed by the surgery. Watch presentations: