In the “Health” column of the March 17, 2015 Journal News, the newspaper provided a half-page infomercial for a Rockland county LASIK surgeon who is promoting himself, and the supposed safety of this elective, cosmetic vision-altering procedure.
First, the article offers no news. Second, the article properly should be marked “advertisement.” Third, if the Journal News wishes to serve its readers, the reporter should warn of the hazards of LASIK surgery, even if the surgeon does not.
Morris Waxler worked for the FDA in the 1990’s. He has called for a moratorium on LASIK surgery. He says, “If I knew then what I know now, I never would have approved the lasers used for LASIK surgery.” LASIK surgery involves cutting a corneal flap. That severs corneal nerves. 50% of LASIK patients will suffer from dry eye. The cutting of the flap will likely diminish night vision, in good cases. Consumer Reports states that nearly two-thirds of LASIK patients said they “were disappointed to find that they still had to wear glasses or contacts at least occasionally.”
Contrary to the “news” story, it is false to state that “Almost everyone is a candidate.” Persons with pre-existing corneal disease, such as keratoconus, are not good candidates. Persons with pre-existing dry eyes are not good candidates. Persons with thin corneas are not good candidates. Persons who care about their quality of vision, and not just their visual acuity, are not good candidates. Persons who think that they will not need reading glasses after LASIK are not good candidates. The list is limited only by space.
Finally, if you are thinking about LASIK surgery, do not ask a LASIK surgeon who is in the business of selling LASIK; do not ask a lawyer like me, who has seen everything that can go wrong in LASIK go wrong. Ask an ophthalmologist, such as a glaucoma specialist, who does NOT perform LASIK surgery, what he or she thinks of the procedure. I doubt that the answer will be nearly as fluffy as was suggested in the Journal News infomercial.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a doctor, you should promptly contact an attorney with experience in medical malpractice. The Law Office of Todd J. Krouner has a proven track record of helping patients injured by eye doctors (and other forms of medical malpractice) all over the country. To determine if you have a strong case, contact us for a free consultation at (914) 238-5800.