FDA Eyeballs LASIK Procedure's Possible Side Effects

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has started investigating some previously unreported LASIK side effects, including blurred vision and dry eyes, as reported by The Associated Press. The negative longterm side effects of the LASIK procedure are relatively unknown, as the technique is still in its infancy.

LASIK, which stands for "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis" is a corrective eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to adjust vision, so successful procedures will remove the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The once-experimental LASIK procedure has gone more mainstream as health insurance companies covered the procedure, and the price of the procedure has come down.

The common reported complications of LASIK have been glare and poor night vision, but the FDA study sprung up as a result of other complications such as blurred vision and dry eyes going unreported by LASIK centers.

The Food and Drug Administration's investigation into LASIK's longterm health risks may just be a reaction to the infancy of the procedure. Clearly, the LASIK procedure's success and science improves over time with strong optic research. The FDA has put an age restriction of patients over 18 years old on the procedure, but they seem to be concerned with the health and safety issue.

The number of Americans who have undergone the LASIK procedure is estimated to be 6 million people, and the vast majority have been satisfied with their experience, however there is percentage with negative effects. The negative effects may be resulting in a tertiary market of prescriptions for the negative side effects of LASIK, like the dry eye aid, Restasis, which has its own laundry list of side effects.

Although the Food and Drug Administration may have given the LASIK procedure an unchecked pass in recent years, it may be finding a lack of consistency among LASIK centers because they are using outdated LASIK equipment, and not the latest, cutting edge LASIK technology for better and safer results. It would cost LASIK centers extra money to outfit their facilities with the newest laser machines.

Regardless, the positives of LASIK surgery will outweigh the possible negatives, especially for those who are tired of their eyeglasses and contact lenses, those people who prefer to swim in a swimming pool without squinting. But for those who can afford to wait, it may be a safer bet to let modern science perfect the LASIK procedure, because you only have your eyes once.

Sources:
AP, "FDA to Study negative effects of LASIK"
Restasis.com