LASIK eye surgery is very popular and when it works as intended, very helpful. However, a a recent controversy raised by one of the original FDA group who studied and approved the procedure reveals the need to apply a rigorous analysis of the benefits, risks, alternatives and unknowns of undergoing the procedure yourself.
One claim for a low serious complication rate of 1/1000 is 0.1 %, and when that is applied to the 10 million procedures per year, it adds up to 1000 people per year who are harmed by the procedure.
That averages out to 20 people people each week.
That’s not to say it’s not worth doing it, but a rigorous judgement of whether the small risk is truly worth the benefit is important to avoid devastating regrets.
If you feel uncomfortable about how to share the decision fully with your doctor, contact us for a free consultation.
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