Lasik Eye Surgery Lawsuits

Recently, a former FDA adviser who voted to approve the procedure now says the procedure should be banned because of the complications some patients experience. Lasik eye surgery, which is intended to correct vision, may cause permanent vision loss and vision distortions in patients.

Lasik Eye Surgery Lawyers are Ready to Help

If you or someone you know has suffered an eye injury that you believe was caused by a defective product, surgical mistake, or a case of medical negligence of a physician, call the eye injury lawyers at Levy Konigsberg LLP. Our team of eye injury lawyers who specialize in these and other surgical mistake cases are waiting to assist you. With rounded experience in New Jersey/New York medical malpractice law, we can help you or the one you hold dear obtain compensation for the injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of another.

What is Lasik Eye Surgery?

Over one million people opt to receive Lasik eye surgery every year. Lasik eye surgery is performed to correct vision problems as an alternative to glasses and contacts. During the surgery, a laser is used to alter the shape of the dome-shaped tissue at the cornea. The process of reshaping the cornea results in refraction, which corrects blurry vision. Lasik eye surgery can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The procedure improves vision for the majority of patients.

What is Happening with Lasik Eye Surgery?

Some patients suffer serious and life-altering complications from Lasik eye surgery. According to the FDA, approximately 50,000 people reported a loss of vision or compromised vision following Lasik surgery. Negligence in Lasik eye surgery can result in a number of circumstances. A doctor may fail to adequately warn patients of the risks of surgery or fail to inform certain patients that they are not viable candidates for the procedure. Because Lasik eye surgery is contraindicated in patients with very poor vision or certain medical problems, comprehensive pre-screening protocols are vital. Negligence can also result from failure to perform the surgery with adequate skill, care and training. In some cases of negligence, the patient’s optic nerve was severed, causing a permanent loss of sight.

Recently, a former FDA adviser stated that Lasik surgery should be barred because of the serious risks posed by the procedure. The adviser warned that experts have overlooked the damaging data on vision disturbances from the surgery.

The potential damage to a patient’s vison following Lasik eye surgery can be permanent. It is often difficult, if not impossible, to correct the results of Lasik eye surgery. Those who have suffered diminished or impaired vision following the procedure may experience a significant loss in their quality of life. These patients may be able to obtain compensation for pain and suffering, loss of wages, medical expenses and loss of consortium.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774

https://nypost.com/2019/11/14/ex-fda-adviser-says-lasik-eye-surgery-should-be-banned/

FDA Warnings on Lasik Eye Surgery – Risks and Complications

The FDA has issued a warning regarding potential risks associated with Lasik eye surgery. These risks include serious complications like loss of vision, corneal issues, retinal detachment, dry eyes, pain, double vision, drooping eyelid, and visual disturbances like glare, halos, or starbursts. Additionally, there is a concern about possible psychological harm as a result of the surgery. It's important for individuals considering Lasik to thoroughly discuss these risks with their healthcare provider before making a decision.

Individuals contemplating Lasik surgery should be informed that potential outcomes include the possibility of experiencing double vision, dry eyes, challenges with nighttime driving, and in uncommon instances, ongoing eye discomfort. The Food and Drug Administration's preliminary guidance underscores that even after the procedure, patients might still require the use of eyeglasses. For further details, please refer to the complete FDA report issued on July 28, 2022: FDA Report Link.

Lasik Settlements & Verdicts

Lasik eye surgery, touted as a vision corrective solution, has not been without its share of complications and legal challenges. Over the years, several individuals have pursued legal action against medical practitioners and centers following the procedure. These cases have resulted in significant settlements, highlighting the range of complications that patients have faced. Vision impairment, corneal issues, incorrect candidacy assessment, and other adverse effects have led to substantial settlements awarded to patients who have experienced pain, suffering, and even loss of income. These settlements serve as a reminder of the potential risks associated with Lasik surgery and the importance of thorough assessment and informed consent before undergoing the procedure.

• On January 31, 2011, a Maryland eye doctor, Dr. Mark Whitten, was ordered to pay $1 million to a patient named David Cantalupo. The patient suffered vision damage as a result of a botched LASIK eye surgery. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the earlier jury verdict in this laser eye surgery lawsuit, which was initially filed in 2006.

• On July 10, 2008, a New Jersey man named James Dell'Ermo received a $2.1 million out-of-court settlement in a malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Joseph Dello Russo and the New Jersey Eye Center. The LASIK procedure performed by Dr. Dello Russo in 2000 left Dell'Ermo legally blind due to improperly recognized candidacy and resulting in a condition called ectasia, requiring future corneal transplants.

• On November 1, 2005, Mark Schiffer, a former investment banker, was awarded $7.25 million by New York Superior Court Judge Alice Schlesinger as a result of a LASIK procedure performed in 2000. The award included $4.5 million for lost income and $2.75 million for pain and suffering.

Lasik Eye Surgery Side Effects and Complications

Complications of Lasik eye surgery include:

• Very dry eyes;
• Halos;
• Double vision;
• Over- and under correction;
• Astigmatism;
• Regression;
• Vision impairment, such as trouble seeing contrast or depth; and
• Blindness or permanent vision loss.

Lasik Eye Surgery Lawyers are Ready to Help

If you or someone you know has suffered an eye injury that you believe was caused by a defective product, surgical mistake, or a case of medical negligence of a physician, call the eye injury lawyers at Levy Konigsberg LLP. Our team of eye injury lawyers who specialize in these and other surgical mistake cases are waiting to assist you. With rounded experience in New Jersey/New York medical malpractice law, we can help you or the one you hold dear obtain compensation for the injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of another.