The Risks of LASIK Surgery
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical blade is used to cut a flap in the cornea, leaving a hinge on one side of the cornea. The flap is folded back revealing the midsection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the corneal cells and the flap is replaced.
Risks and Limitations
Even with the most skilled surgeons you can experience complications and serious consequences, including malfunction of a device or other error, such as cutting a flap of cornea all the way through instead of making a hinge during LASIK surgery, may lead to discontinuation of the procedure or irreversible damage to the eye.
Some complications after surgery are:
- Migration of the flap
- Inflammation or infection
- May not work and may require another procedure
- Intensive treatment with drops
- May still need reading glasses
- Visual symptoms (glare, halos, starbursts, etc.)
- Unable to drive at night
- Contrast sensitivity (unable to see in dim light)
- Temporary loss of vision
- Irreversible blindness
According to the FDA, 700,000 LASIK surgeries are performed in the United States each year. 35,000 of the patients are dissatisfied with the outcome and 7,000 people suffer severe complications — including extremely uncomfortable eye dryness, intense eye pain, or varying degrees of blindness. Some patients have even become depressed from the constant pain and committed suicide. Two years after surgery one patient described the pain as “debilitating and unremitting”.
Legal Help For LASIK Victims
Our Minneapolis medical malpractice attorneys are legal experts with extensive experience with malpractice cases. We will answer your questions, deal with the doctors and insurance companies, handle all of the paperwork, and file your claim. Call (612) TSR-TIME to speak to a lawyer today or submit our free contact form and a representative from our firm will contact you shortly.
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