FDA Concerned LASIK Providers Are Not Disclosing Risks of the Procedure. Here’s What to Know Before Your Procedure

The idea of ​​better vision without having to wear bulky glasses or contacts is appealing, and LASIK eye surgery may seem like the perfect solution.

But patients should be informed of the risks before undergoing the procedure, because complications can arise, experts say. There is growing concern that surgeons are not disclosing the frequency of these complications and are overpromising results.

“While most LASIK patients are happy with the results, there are still many who are unhappy or regret having it done,” said Kevin Brasler of Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, who added that LASIK is also not necessarily a permanent solution.

Brasler says many LASIK patients have suffered from dry eyes, double vision and night vision problems. The biggest risk, according to Consumers’ Checkbook, is that the surgery weakens the eye and makes it more vulnerable to impact injuries.

“Most patients who have it will eventually need glasses again or will need a second procedure to correct their vision as it declines,” he said.

In a 2022 draft guideline, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated that up to one week after surgery, about 85% of patients experience dry eye. Six months after surgery, about 41% report “visual symptoms such as glare, halos, stars, and double images,” and about 4% have “very” or “extremely” bothersome symptoms.

“If you still want to have LASIK surgery, choose your surgeon carefully and ask a lot of questions,” Brasler said. “If a doctor doesn’t have time to answer your questions, that’s a red flag. I think it’s also a good idea to compare costs.”

Some surgeons provide clear information about possible complications, but the FDA recommends more standardized language because it is concerned that “patients may not receive information in a format that allows them to make an informed decision about whether to have LASIK.”

One reason for the FDA’s pressure is that the laser eye surgery industry also tends to overestimate the success rate.

Brasler told WTOP that undercover buyers found prices in the D.C. area ranged from $3,800 to $6,000 for the deal.

WTOP’s Thomas Robertson contributed to this report.

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