LASIK Health Risks

While most patients are pleased with the results of LASIK or other refractive surgery, there are risks involved. The following are some of the risks that should be carefully weighed against the benefits of undergoing LASIK:

• Some patients lose lines of vision.
• Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms such as glare, haloes, and/or double vision that can seriously affect nighttime vision.
• You may be under-treated or over-treated - you may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery
• Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome - when the eye is not able to produce enough tears to keep the eye moist, it may cause discomfort and reduce visual quality.
• Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type.
• For some farsighted patients, results may diminish with age.
• Long-term data is not available, since LASIK is a relatively new technology - the long-term safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery is still unknown.

LASIK - Getting Legal Help

While the use of instruments for surgical procedures have certain anticipated risks, a manufacturer has a duty to make its products and instruments as reasonably safe as possible, and to inform the medical community and the public of known risks associated with its products. If a manufacturer fails to do so, it can be held legally responsible if patients are injured as the result of inadequate warnings or the unreasonably dangerous nature of the product, under a legal theory called "product liability."

If you or a loved one have experienced any dangerous health effects or unusual medical conditions after undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgery, you should first contact your doctor or other healthcare professional. You may also wish to meet with an experienced attorney to discuss your options and to protect your right to a legal remedy for any injuries caused by a LASIK procedure.

• Go here to learn more about an attorney's role in a medical device case.
• To find an experienced attorney, use the "Find a Lawyer" tool on the left side of this page, or click here.