Laser eye surgery, medically known as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Lasik), has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with numerous clinics offering the procedure at increasingly accessible prices. While an estimated 95 to 98 percent of patients achieve their target vision, a general practitioner, Dr. Philippa Kaye, advises caution, pointing to significant risks and devastating patient experiences that are often overlooked.
Lasik reshapes the cornea to correct vision and is typically performed under local anesthetic, allowing patients to return home the same day. Short-term side effects such as blurred vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity, halos, and floaters are common, usually resolving within weeks. However, for a small percentage of patients, these complications can become permanent. Persistent dry eye affects 1 to 2 percent of patients, while problems with glare and night vision can endure. In rare cases, a condition called corneal ectasia, a progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, can lead to severe vision loss and even blindness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged that Lasik side effects can include irreversible vision loss and severe dry eye syndrome. Morris Waxler, a former FDA official involved in the initial approval of Lasik, later became a vocal critic, reviewing data that suggested complication rates between 10 and 30 percent. He had petitioned the FDA to revoke its approval, deeming it a significant medical oversight.
Patient Tragedies and Psychological Impact
The risks associated with the procedure have been linked to tragic patient outcomes. Ryan Kingerski, a 26-year-old police officer from Pennsylvania, died by suicide in January 2025, five months after undergoing Lasik surgery. His father reported that Ryan experienced severe headaches, double vision, and persistent floaters, which specialists attributed to thin corneas and irreversible damage. His suicide note reportedly referenced the procedure. While suicide is complex, experts suggest that unrelenting pain and the inability to find a fix can contribute to profound psychological distress.
Another case involved Paul Fitzpatrick, a Canadian father of two who died by suicide in 2018 after two decades of severe post-Lasik pain. His family described his suffering as debilitating. Persistent pain from eye conditions can be a significant trigger for depression and mental health issues. Patients facing such complications can find themselves in a difficult position, as ophthalmologists may not be trained to manage mental health problems, and psychiatrists may not be equipped to treat eye conditions.
Limitations of Laser Eye Surgery
Dr. Kaye also highlights that laser eye surgery does not prevent natural age-related vision changes. Around age 40, the eye's lens stiffens, leading to presbyopia and difficulty with close-up vision, a condition that cannot be corrected by reshaping the cornea. Even with a successful Lasik procedure, individuals may still require reading glasses later in life.
Personal experience also informs Dr. Kaye's stance. Having undergone chemotherapy for bowel cancer, she experiences severe dry eyes requiring frequent treatment. The prospect of exacerbating this condition with laser eye surgery is a risk she is unwilling to take. She emphasizes that traditional methods like glasses, which have served individuals for centuries, remain a reliable and effective solution for vision correction, often without the potential for surgical complications.