New FDA Study Seeks Feedback on Lasik Surgery

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Gosh, all you guys are scaring me with these horror stories. I was considering getting lasik done at http://hillcountryeyecenter.com/ but now I'm probably going to back out. I'd much rather have to wear glasses all day than suffer from extreme migraines (already have enough of those) for the rest of my life!

Kati of TX 12:52PM September 10, 2010

Preliminary results of the USAEyes CORE Lasik patient survery was presented to an FDA hearing on quality of life issues after Lasik. According to the patients surveyed:
* 99% report quality of life as expected, better, or much better
* 98% day vision as expected, better, or much better
* 98% no complications or issues are seldom problematic
* 98% would recommend surgery to family and friends.
* 97% would have surgery again, knowing what they know now
* 96% wear corrective lenses as often as expected, less, or much less than expected
* 96% report postop vision without lenses as expected, better, or much better than expected when compared to preop vision with lenses
* 96% report overall quality of vision as expected, better, or much better than expected
* 91% no complications at any time
* 91% night vision as expected, better, or much better
* 7% complications seldom problematic
– yet 91% of these same patients would have surgery again
* 2% complications frequent or always problematic
– yet 22% of f these same patients would have surgery again
Glenn Hagele
Volunteer Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
USAEyes.org

Glenn Hagele of CA 12:34AM December 18, 2009

After my lasik surgery I had a 45 day migraine, then I had a second surgery and have had a headache in my forehead behind my eyes ever since. Ironically, I know wear glasses again! And Dr. Nevyes of Bala Cynwd, Pennsylvania said there is "nothing that he can do for me". Of course not, he already has my money.
It has been 3 years now since I had Lasik surgery. Today I need to wear a pair of glasses from the moment I wake to the moment I go to sleep. If I do not wear them, even for an hour, I am overcome with the worst headache of my life, everyday! Can you imagine trying to go through life with a constant headache everyday? I am suffering and those close to me are suffering too because of my choice to have the surgery. So join the anti-Lasik group, do not join the group that regrets and feels the harsh consequences of Lasik surgery. Forward this, post it wherever you can on the internet. I am in the process of having a more detailed version of this message posted in the philadelphia and surrounding suburbs newspapers. I have some friends who can make this possible.

adam of PA 11:28PM December 11, 2009

I would very much like to take part in this survey as well. Where do I sign up?

Liz Dil of KS 12:28PM November 12, 2009

I love the fact that I can now see without glasses or contacts. With that being said, the first 7 days after the procedure were some of the worst in my life. The sensitivity to light, pain, and overall discomfort was much more than what I was prepared for.

Josh of AZ 5:37PM October 21, 2009

As part of the organized ophthalmic community, ASCRS remains committed to better understanding those very few patients whose expectations are not met by the procedure. The purpose of the new study is to examine LASIK’S impact on the diverse factors that comprise patient quality of life, including everything from driving, daily routine, family life, career and sports performance, to personal appearance after LASIK. The DoD’s expertise with LASIK technologies and clinical protocols solidly grounded in good science serve as a solid foundation upon which to expand the scientific body of knowledge regarding LASIK. LASIK has a decade's worth of peer-reviewed, worldwide clinical data highlighting it's safety and effectiveness, as well as consistent documentation of the highest patient satisfaction rate of any elective procedure (more than 95 percent).

John Ciccone of MD 4:06PM October 20, 2009