Beware the Dangers of Laser Eye Surgery
It is important that your readers are aware that though the FDA ophthalmic devices panel has approved the Alcon system and probably will give its approval to Visx soon, crucial issues regarding the Lasik procedure still have not been addressed (“Visx Focusing on Laser Eye Surgery’s New Wave,” Jan. 29).
The Lasik procedure always induces visual aberrations. Irregularities in the cornea are introduced by the cutting of the flap itself, uneven laser ablation, imperfect healing and other mechanisms. Although wavefront treatments have been designed to reduce the quantity of aberrations caused by Lasik surgery, they have not eliminated them.
Wavefront technology does not address dry eye complications, and patients with large pupils (who are predisposed to night vision problems) were not part of the studies.
In addition, microkeratome blades are known to occasionally jam while cutting the cornea, and undetermined contaminants have introduced new and poorly understood pathologies not in existence before Lasik, such as diffuse lamellar keratitis and central toxic keratopathy.
Concerns about long-term outcomes include ectasia (a bowing forward of the thinned cornea requiring transplant), mutagenic changes to corneal cells and late dislocation of the corneal flap.
The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons has raised funds and pledges in the amount of $3.7 million to combat the bad press that Lasik has received because of complications and malpractice lawsuits, but wavefront or not, it’s still “buyer beware.”
I would urge your readers to spend some time on the Surgical Eyes Foundation Web site (www .surgicaleyes.org) before undergoing elective eye surgery.
On a related note, a regional support group meeting for patients with Lasik complications will be held Feb. 22 in Los Angeles and will include presentations and consultations with foremost surgeons and optometrists. Information is available on the Surgical Eyes Web site or by calling (813) 254-8720.
Sandy Keller
Torrance
