LASIK and PRK Complications
Serving Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and surrounding areas
Hundreds of thousands of people have undergone PRK or LASIK with the promise that their vision can return to a 20/20 state. It is one of the most popular corrective surgeries in the U.S. today, and sometimes comes with a "lifetime" guarantee of perfect vision. However, due to the large number of complaints about the side effects of these eye surgeries, Congress conducted hearings in the spring of 2008. They heard a litany of problems with the surgeries, which rendered those who had undergone LASIK and PRK permanently injured.
Though the stated risks of LASIK are not likely to affect most patients, those risks have driven many to question their quality of life due to such conditions as halos, double vision, and blindness ending in severe depression. A few of these individuals have even gone so far as to commit suicide because of their botched eye operations.
LASIK and PRK Procedures
LASIK, or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, is performed by an eye surgeon. The surgeon cuts a circular flap in the eye and reshapes the cornea with a laser. This is what will give the patient the vision they've been told can be theirs in only a matter of minutes. When LASIK is performed correctly, the patient is extremely happy with few complaints.
PRK, photorefractive keratectomy, is different from LASIK in that there is no flap of tissue created. The surgeon completely removes the outer layer of the cornea to get to the inner layer. The inner layer is then shaped with an excimer laser. The outer layer of the cornea will grow back, but it takes time. You should be given eye drops and pain medication to help in the healing process.
Each of these eye surgeries are done to treat patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, each of them is potentially harmful and life altering. Though you may understand some of the risks when you meet with your eye doctor, many people have said they were either not told about the potential side effects or they were underplayed. Some victims of these side effects have said they only met with the eye surgeon for ten minutes and were unable to have their concerns addressed.
Refractive eye surgery that goes wrong is a new kind of medical malpractice. When you are permanently injured through the negligence of your eye surgeon, you may find that you are unable to do some of the things you did before. Reading, watching television, or simply opening your eyes in the daylight may cause severe headaches or eye pain. You should not have to live this way and may be entitled to compensation.
If you or a loved one has undergone PRK or LASIK and have been seriously and permanently injured, please contact the experienced PRK and LASIK litigation lawyers at Stipe & Belote, LLP. We serve the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area.
Although medical professionals are required by law to exercise the utmost care, skill and diligence when treating their patients, it is estimated that over 90,000 people every year are either injured or killed due to physician or nurse error. 
When workers are injured, employers and their workers compensation insurance carrier are responsible for providing those employees with the medical care they need as quickly as possible. 
If you are disabled, and can no longer work, the federal government offers disability payments to individuals who qualify under the Social Security Disability Insurance plan. 
