Patients Suffering Serious Long-Term Problems After Laser Eye Surgery Speak Out — As Doctors Claim Complications Are More Common Than They Say.
Gloria McConnell, from Florida, committed suicide at the age of 60 after the failed operation “devastated” her life and left her in severe pain.
Problems started just weeks after her surgery, including eyes that were so dry they felt like they were constantly burning and mite infestations in her eyelashes after they fed on dead skin cells that were left behind.
Laser eye surgery, also known as LASIK, is a vision correction procedure that uses a laser to reshape the inner cornea. About half a million Americans are operated on each year, plus about 10,000 Britons.
One percent of patients reportedly experience serious complications, but some warn that this number is an underestimate. In fact, up to 30 percent may have serious problems.
Common negative effects include dry eyes, debris in the eye, double vision and intense migraines.
Gloria McConnell (left) underwent two LASIK procedures in 2019 to correct her myopia. Serious complications arose a few weeks after the operation and she committed suicide at the age of 60. Robin Reeves (right) underwent LASIK after her glasses kept getting in the way. “It should have been zip, zap, and in a few weeks you’re cured and life goes on. But my life has been on hold since July 12 last year.
Nearly half of the patients in a 2017 FDA clinical trial reported “new visual symptoms” after LASIK, including diplopia, glare, halos and starbursts — a series of rays emanating from bright lights.
Dr. Morris Waxler, who served as the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) chief regulator of ophthalmic devices from 1996 to 2000, first warned about the procedure in 2008.
He oversaw the approval of the operation in 1999, which was initially seen as a revolution in eye care.
However, he told DailyMail.com in 2019 that the FDA was not listening to testimonies or the “thousands” of complaints filed since then – which they “comply” with the deaths that have occurred as a result.
During LASIK, an eye surgeon uses a small blade or laser to cut a small flap from the front of the eye.
Pulses from a laser then remove small amounts of corneal tissue. Once the cornea has reformed, the eye surgeon replaces the flap, where it usually heals on its own.
A search of an FDA database found more than 700 reports of extreme pain “worse than childbirth” after surgery.
A father who underwent the procedure committed suicide.
Dr. Morris Waxler was a member of the FDA advisory board that voted to approve LASIK surgery in 1996. Now he says it should be banned
The FDA issued guidelines last year warning that LASIK patients should be aware of the potential complications associated with the procedure.
It also said that there are “reports that some patients who have had LASIK have experienced severe depression or suicidal tendencies, which they believe may be due to post-procedure complications,” but added that a “definitive causal link.” … manufactured. ‘.
The draft guideline awaits full approval before being anchored as an FDA recommendation.
Nearly half of the patients in a 2017 FDA clinical trial reported “new visual symptoms” after LASIK, including double vision, glare, halos and starbursts — a series of rays that result from bright light.
Robin Reeves, a Florida resident, made delicate lace dresses for children and underwent LASIK after her glasses kept getting in the way.
Ms Reeves told The Guardian: “It must have been zip, zap and in a few weeks you’re cured and life goes on. But my life has stopped since July 12 last year.”
Dirt was left in her corneal flap which destroyed her vision and left her with double vision, extreme migraines and eye strain.
As a result, Mrs. Reeves quit working.
Paula Cofer of Tampa, Florida testified to the FDA about her experience with LASIK in 2008 and 2018.
She is the founder of a support group called LASIK Complications, which has more than 8,000 members and strives to educate potential patients about the risks of surgery.
READ MORE: Former FDA adviser who helped approve LASIK eye surgery says it should be banned
Ophthalmologists, including one who once advised the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on vision correction devices and procedures, are urging the agency to withdraw its approval of Lasik surgery.
The first night after her surgery, she went outside to look at the moon and saw eight dim circles with a halo around her.
She now has four glasses to compensate for the lost sight.
Gloria McConnell, who worked at a Florida car dealership before her death, underwent two LASIK procedures in 2019 to correct her myopia.
Serious complications emerged a few weeks after the surgery, including eyes so dry they burned, mites and ingrown hairs in her eyelashes.
Four years later, Mrs. McConnell barely got out of bed.
She died by suicide at the age of 60. Her son said she left a note for her family explaining that the pain of the botched surgery was part of her decision to end her life.
Mrs. McConnell submitted a comment on the FDA’s draft recommendations, stating: “[LASIK] ruined my life.’
Abraham Rutner, an electrician in Brooklyn, New York, previously told CBS News that his life and vision were nearly destroyed after LASIK.
“It’s a devastation that I can’t even explain,” he said.
The changes to his cornea brought new, even more nagging problems than those he encountered while attending his LASIK consultation at an unnamed facility.
Dr. Boshnick, who specializes in alternative corrections for unusual eye problems and corrective lenses for LASIK-damaged eyes, said Mr. Rutner examined his eyes after the operation and found that the procedure was devastating to his new patient.
“His cornea is very misshapen as a result of his LASIK surgery,” said Dr. Boshnick to CBS.
“It seems to be twofold. Around the lights it was like getting stars,” he told CBS.
After a few months of these distortions, Mr. Rutner couldn’t take it anymore. His eyes made his work and driving almost impossible.
During LASIK, an eye surgeon uses a small blade or laser to cut a small flap from the front of the eye. Pulses from a laser then remove small amounts of corneal tissue. Once the cornea has reformed, the eye surgeon replaces the flap, where it usually heals on its own
Last year, Michigan meteorologist and mother-of-two Jessica Star underwent SMILE surgery — a similar but less invasive procedure to LASIK — to correct her vision in Detroit.
About a month later, the beloved local TV personality was dead. She committed suicide after “struggling” to recover from the operation.
Complications are rare with SMILE surgery, but include visual “ghosting”, reduced vision and debilitating pain.
Max Cronin, Colin Dorrian and Officer Lawrence Campbell also committed suicide, writing notes suggesting they were in excruciating pain after life-threatening laser eye surgery.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
