Welcome back!
I read a report recently on complaints before an FDA panel by Lasik patients.
Lasik stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, and is a procedure designed to change the shape of the cornea to correct vision in people who are dependent on corrective glasses or contact lenses.
You are probably aware of the claims that Lasik surgery restores sharp vision, and negates the need to use eyeglasses. Hundreds of thousands have had the surgery, and now some disquieting reports are surfacing that a number of patients have not only failed to gain good vision, but have been left with even worse vision.
Below is the gist of the report, for those of you contemplating Lasik surgery:
Patients who experienced painful side effects after undergoing Lasik eye surgery are airing their grievances in front of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel.
Mr DS of Washington, D.C. complained that after undergoing the eye surgery he has “not experienced a moment of crisp, good quality vision since.”
Mr GD told of his son’s suicide six years after having the popular vision-correcting procedure. He described the six years of pain and blurred vision his son endured before ending his life. His son had been told he wasn’t a good candidate for the surgery but decided to have it anyway.
“I can’t and won’t continue facing this horror,” the suicide note said.
The FDA is holding a public inquiry to investigate consumer complaints about Lasik and to determine if the information provided to patients about the risks and benefits is sufficient.
The FDA is also working on a study to investigate why some patients develop such negative side effects, while others don’t.
While most people who undergo Lasik end up with 20/20 vision and no side effects, a few come out with eye problems such as dry eyes, glare or compromised night vision.
“Clearly there is a group who are not satisfied and do not get the kind of results they expect,” Dr. Daniel Schultz, the FDA medical device chief, told The Associated Press.
The study should “help us predict who those patients might be before they have the procedure.”
The FDA warns that some people may not be suitable candidates for Lasik. These include:
* Children under age 18
* Those who have had a change in their glasses or contact lens prescription in the last year
* People who have an illness or take medication that may affect wound healing
* People who suffer from dry eyes, which may be exacerbated by the procedure
So please take these points into consideration if you are considering Lasik surgery.
For information on vision care, and on non-surgical methods to restore good vision, visit
http://www.youngagainforever.com/better_vision_naturally.htm
To your good health and vision for life.
Roshmi & Jay