Is laser eye surgery riskier than people think?

One man is speaking out about the potential risks of laser eye surgery, after he says the procedure left his vision permanently impaired.

[TrHard]

I'd rather lose my hearing, taste, smell before losing my eyesight.

[bhcbhc]

95% of the patient are satisfied, because those that are not satisfied can't locate their computers to post a review.

[maddoxtolliver]

*if the surgeon isn't **_BOARD CERTIFIED, DON'T DO IT._*

[spacewinter]

I wish there was more follow up data on what happens later on. It's not enough to get a review from someone who just got it.

[joecam]

"I asked my eye doctor of 20 years who is the head of Ophthalmology at a large NYC hospital, she said "No don't do it" she didn't explain why and that was good enuf for

[RDROff]

It is definitely riskier than people think because it is common for people to assume there are no risks to approved medical treatments, which is obviously not the case. While most are happy with the outcomes, there are risks and it is important for everyone to understand those risks going into the procedure (likewise, there are major risks to contacts use, which many do not know.) I got SMILE this year and so far the results have been stellar, with 20/15 uncorrected distance vision and minimal dryness/glare/halos a month out. The fact that everyone in the office and their family members had the same procedure also provided quite a good level of assurance that the people doing this were confident in the surgeon's capabilities and the safety of the procedure. Before this procedure, I had an astigmatism that neither glasses nor contacts ever perfectly corrected, and this procedure completely eliminated the astigmatism. I would definitely do it over again.

For those considering it, all I can say is definitely spend time learning about the benefits/short-term side effects/longer-term risks and if you are a patient that is more likely to experience unwanted issues. Also give long thought to if you have the discipline to follow through with the preparation/aftercare EXACTLY as stated, as a failure to do this could negatively impact you for the rest of your life. If you want to move forward, then select a good surgeon who will not hesitate for one second to refuse to do the procedure if they do not feel you are a stellar candidate. If they do feel you are a stellar candidate, then make the informed judgment call if the level of risk is acceptable relative to the benefit. YMMV.

[returntonature]

I had LASIK 2 weeks ago in metro Detroit. LASIK plus was the center. Best choice in my life, as my astigmatism was debilitating. I couldn’t see the E on the eye chart. Glasses so heavy I would get pain and contacts would dry my eyes out. I can see well for the first time in years. Do your research and follow post op care to a T. It took years for me to make up my mind about surgery. Everything in life is a risk. I’m happy I took this one.

[bellewin]

I did it and it was the best thing I ever done in my life

[brianyun]

Yeah, if you want to risk a PERMANENT damage to your eyes at 5% chance, go ahead. I'd rather wear glasses for the rest of my life.

[gaila.]

I had it done 16 years ago by the "BEST" eye surgeon, Dr. Donnenfeld. It was horrible. I had pre surgery screening where I had the surgery done, and they said I was a good candidate. From the moment it was done I had pain and terribly dry eyes. My eye doctor, who took care of post laser eye surgery patients realized I was allergic to the eye drops I was given and switched me to non-preservative drops, which did not help. On top of the dry eyes and pain, one of my eyes was blurry, and I'd have to wait three months to have it done again. My eye doctor saw me many times over that three month period, but the dry eyes, pain, halo I was seeing, and star burst eye sight I had at night did not get any better. I couldn't stand the poor eye sight in that eye, so after three months I actually went back and had the surgery done to that eye again. It improved to some degree, but it has never improved enough. I was ready to rip the eyes out of my head to get some relief from the dryness and pain. The surgeon who did the procedures told me after the fact that my eyes were "a little dry" before the surgery, but he did the surgery anyway. It took more than a year for the dryness and pain to subside enough for me to get through the day without "feeling" my eyes. To this day, 16 years later, the eye that I had done twice still has so so vision, and it is still a little dry. I've had many eye checkups since having the surgery done, and eye doctors cannot tell that I had anything done to my eyes, and they are perfectly healthy, but the vision in my left eye is just acceptable and still slightly dry after having the procedure done twice all those years ago. Any time anyone ever asks me if they should have laser eye surgery I tell them NO. Don't ever do it. Wear glasses that will give you great vision, and be happy your eyes don't hurt. I wish could go back and stop myself from doing this.

[musiklararfelix]

I did Lasik 1.5 years ago. I have 20/20 vision, but -
* Eye pain
* Floaters
* Starburst vision
* Photofobia
* Afterimages (Visual snow symtoms)
* Serious daytime glare
* Very bad nightvision (cant drive at night)

Still my surgery is considered to be succesful, since i have 20/20 vision. Keep that in mind if you think of doing Lasik yourself.

[partialartsblackbelt]

Thank u for covering this. I am living this nightmare and so tired of drs denying it came from lasik and having no answers. I got it in 2012 and still searching for answers

[justindrew]

I’m sorry but did you just say it’s up to you to ask the questions. Yeah no you’re a doctor you have an ethical obligation to inform me of the risks. Doctors are supposed to do no harm! This is the problem with corporatising health care!

[MarioMunoz]

I think I’ll wait another 10 years until the risk level is at 0% and 100% effective. In the meantime I’m rocking my glasses 😎

[Slaytwink]

I’ll be able to have this procedure at 21, I’m 16 right now. I hope technology gets better in 2025! I don’t want to go blind

[Just_a_Lad]

Many doctors stay with glasses. That should be enough as a proof that the technology is not that safe as we think.

[vanes.]

Complications are not rare. Don’t let them fool you. All these surgeons keep their glasses. That should tell you something. They just want your money and if you do get complications, expect to spend even more.

[plantbased]

Very helpful video. I think I'll leave well enough alone and stick with my glasses. 👓

[DarkPhoenix]

I just got my LASIK surgery and I'm perfectly fine

[ilyverse]

Kinda wanna get it when I’m older but I don’t cuz of the risks...