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November 14, 2019 2:53 pm
LASIK eye surgery should be taken off market, former FDA adviser says
LASIK eye surgery has been popular for more than 20 years, with an estimated 20 million Americans undergoing the procedure to correct nearsightedness and improve distance vision. But some patients say the surgery has ruined their eyesight.
The quick, minimally-invasive surgery uses a laser to cut a flap to reshape the cornea at the front of the eye. Now an expert who once backed LASIK is campaigning to get it off the market.
Abraham Rutner said LASIK surgery damaged his vision and nearly ruined his life. "It's a devastation that I can't even explain," Rutner told CBS News medical contributor Dr. Tara Narula.
"Things would appear double. Around the lights were like having starbursts," he added.
After months of not being able to drive or do his job, the Brooklyn electrician finally found help in Miami where optometrist Edward Boshnick fitted him with special contact lenses.
"His cornea is very distorted as a result of his LASIK surgery," Boshnick said.
Boshnick estimates he's treated thousands of patients with LASIK complications.
Paula Cofer had surgery 19 years ago, "and from day one my vision was an absolute train wreck and it still is today," she said.
She started a LASIK complications support group on Facebook and quickly found she was not alone. "You really have to understand you're risking your only pair of eyes," Cofer said.
Since 1998, an estimated 20 million LASIK procedures have been performed, and according to an FDA patient survey, more than 95% of patients were satisfied with their vision after surgery.
Still, the FDA's own website is filled with stories of serious complications. Patients reported "relentless eye pain," dizziness and detached retinas, and told the agency: "LASIK ended my life" and "this procedure needs to stop."
"Essentially we ignored the data on vision distortions that persisted for years," said Morris Waxler, a retired FDA adviser who voted to approve LASIK. He now says that vote was a mistake.
"I re-examined the documentation … and I said, 'Wow this is not good,'" Waxler said.
Waxler said his own analysis of industry data shows complication rates between 10 and 30%. In 2011, he petitioned the FDA to issue a voluntary recall of LASIK. Three years later, the agency denied that request and now tells CBS News it "has not found any new safety concerns associated with LASIK devices."
Waxler said he thinks LASIK should "absolutely" be taken off the market. "There's nothing wrong with a person's eyes who goes to get Lasik," he said. "They have healthy eyes. They could go and get a pair of glasses."
Doctors who perform LASIK surgery said risks can be minimized with pre-surgical screening.
"The most important thing is knowing who to operate on and who not to operate on and there are people who really should not have this procedure," Dr. Jules Winokur said.
Rutner now believes he was never a good candidate.
"I was blaming myself," he said.
Rutner estimates his vision is now about 90% improved. He tolerates the discomfort of hard contact lenses, but wishes he had known more before he had LASIK surgery. To those who are considering LASIK, Rutner said he would tell them, "First, please think it over. … It's your eyes. It's not something you can rectify later."
Doctors we spoke with stress the importance of pre-surgical screening to make sure the patient is a good candidate for the surgery.
Here are FDA's advisory on risks and how to find the right doctor for the procedure.
November 19, 2019 3:33 pm
Wow I'm glad I read this because I was seriously considering getting LASIK. I would hope the FDA would rethink the efficacy of this with so many bad outcomes. Possibly more serious pre-surgery screening and requirements for those getting it.
November 20, 2019 1:01 pm
I agree and think that they need to do more screenings of clients and determine if the person is a right candidate for this procedure and not just give it to anybody who wants it because of it very serious potential risks.
Topic starter
December 1, 2019 5:47 pm
Lasik has been of interest to me in the past but after talking to a couple Dr's I decided not to pursue. I am not keen on the whole procedure although many people have had good results. I would still have to wear glasses for reading
December 1, 2019 5:54 pm
I don't think it would be 100% worth it if they didn't know that it would completely work. I had a lady tell me she got eye surgery and she could only get it so see she could see far away and then she couldn't see close up.
September 15, 2022 8:56 pm
I've been wearing contacts for 14 years and have never even thought about getting Lasik. Contacts are a huge pain in the butt for sure and they are expensive but the idea of a laser opening my eye up really freaks me out so it's a procedure I never considered. Plus I had always heard that there is a possibility that it won't work
September 15, 2022 8:58 pm
I've been wearing contacts for 14 years and have never even thought about getting Lasik. Contacts are a huge pain in the butt for sure and they are expensive but the idea of a laser opening my eye up really freaks me out so it's a procedure I never considered. Plus I had always heard that there is a possibility that it won't work
September 15, 2022 8:58 pm
I've been wearing contacts for 14 years and have never even thought about getting Lasik. Contacts are a huge pain in the butt for sure and they are expensive but the idea of a laser opening my eye up really freaks me out so it's a procedure I never considered. Plus I had always heard that there is a possibility that it won't work
September 15, 2022 8:58 pm
I've been wearing contacts for 14 years and have never even thought about getting Lasik. Contacts are a huge pain in the butt for sure and they are expensive but the idea of a laser opening my eye up really freaks me out so it's a procedure I never considered. Plus I had always heard that there is a possibility that it won't work
September 15, 2022 8:58 pm
I've been wearing contacts for 14 years and have never even thought about getting Lasik. Contacts are a huge pain in the butt for sure and they are expensive but the idea of a laser opening my eye up really freaks me out so it's a procedure I never considered. Plus I had always heard that there is a possibility that it won't work
September 21, 2022 10:46 am
I think instead of banning LASIK surgery completely, client consultations should be more in depth to figure out who is a better candidate for the surgery. If they can figure out who the right candidates are for this surgery I believe there will be less complications. Then again, I have 20/20 vision, so my input is not as valuable than someone who has to wear glasses and contacts on whether or not it is worth the risk of irreparably ruining your eyesight.
September 21, 2022 10:56 am
@deborah With the risk, still having to need reading glasses would be a turn off for me as well. It wouldn't be worth it to still need glasses in some way after all the recovery.
September 21, 2022 11:08 am
@laurenjohnsoniectskin-com I completely understand your hesitance with the surgery. Even if I needed glasses I would not believe it to be worth it to get the surgery with the allotted risk.
September 21, 2022 11:51 am
@nicoleweberiectskin-com
Every consultation should be in depth as everyone is different. A former student of mine just g=had this surgery and it was a complete success. She had to use special drops 2 weeks prior and have a consult and final check by the doctor the day of the procedure. She could not see much of anything without her glasses near or far. Now she has 20/20 vision just 3 days after the procedure
September 21, 2022 3:31 pm
Due to so many traumatic outcomes you would think that the reevaluation of the procedure would be done. I know that contacts can be mildly uncomfortable , but I would much rather deal with that and have my vision then to get laser eye surgery thinking I am never going to need glasses again and ending up needing them forever, or going blind. It seems like a waste of money if the procedure is having an opposite effect. And I believe the outcome they want would be fantastic, however maybe they need to rethink how exactly they're getting these results , maybe there is a safer way to do this procedure.
September 21, 2022 3:33 pm
@laurenjohnsoniectskin-com Yes, I agree because it would definitely be a waste of money to me if I am paying for something that will have the opposite effect then what I hoped.
September 21, 2022 3:35 pm
@nicoleweberiectskin-com I also agree with this because determining someone's prior health issues can help make knowledgeable recommendations. I also believe maybe it should not be banned because there is a good cause behind it , I think maybe it should be reevaluated and maybe find a better approach with better results
January 9, 2023 3:04 pm
@tabethapetersoniectskin-com I wore glasses/contacts for about 20 years and I just got lasik surgery and I absolutely love it. I think it is important to research doctors before you actually commit.
January 9, 2023 3:05 pm
I have been wearing glasses since i was 5 years old. I am now 25 and just recently had lasik surgery. It was honestly the best decision. There are side effects with everything and you should reallly look into the provider and the practice before you decide to move forward.
January 9, 2023 3:07 pm
@nicoleweberiectskin-com For someone my age who just got it, they told me that I wont need glasses until i get older then I will need reading glasses but that is due to aging. I know some older people that have gotten it and don't even need those.
