Minnesota LASIK Lawsuits – LASIK Complications

eye-surgery-1 Minnesota LASIK Lawsuits – LASIK ComplicationsOur Minnesota Medical Malpractice Attorneys are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience. Our firm has a stellar reputation for excellent settlements. All three partners have been named Super Lawyers many times by Minnesota Law & Politics. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our consultation form.

The LASIK Procedure

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical blade is used to cut a flap in the cornea, leaving a hinge on one side of the cornea. The flap is folded back revealing the midsection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the corneal cells and the flap is replaced.

Risks and Limitations

Even with the most skilled surgeons you can experience complications and serious consequences, including:

  • Malfunction of a device or other error, such as cutting a flap of cornea all the way through instead of making a hinge during LASIK surgery, may lead to discontinuation of the procedure or irreversible damage to the eye.
  • Some complications after surgery are:
    • migration of the flap
    • inflammation or infection
    • may not work and may require another procedure
    • intensive treatment with drops
    • may still need reading glasses
    • visual symptoms (glare, halos, starbursts, etc.)
    • unable to drive at night
    • contrast sensitivity (unable to see in dim light)
    • temporary loss of vision
    • irreversible blindness

According to the FDA, 700,000 LASIK surgeries are performed in the United States each year. 35,000 of the patients are dissatisfied with the outcome and 7,000 people suffer severe complications — including extremely uncomfortable eye dryness, intense eye pain, or varying degrees of blindness. Some patients have even become depressed from the constant pain and committed suicide. Two years after surgery one patient described the pain as “debilitating and unremitting”.

Minnesota LASIK Lawsuit Attorney

Our Minnesota Medical Malpractice Attorneys are legal experts with extensive experience with malpractice cases. We will answer your questions, deal with the doctors and insurance companies, handle all of the paperwork, and file your claim. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.