With the advent of corrective laser surgery, millions of Americans are opting for LASIK treatment and a life that is free of glasses and contact lenses. But these surgeries have risks, and there have been many cases involving permanently damaged vision, reduced visual capacity and even blindness. A loss of vision or a life with vision that is weakened or distorted is an enormous thing to get used to, and if the loss is the result of surgical error, the doctor involved should be held accountable for any potential future financial loss. We also represent cases involving eye injuries or a loss of vision from accidents at work or in public. If you or a loved one has suffered vision loss due to laser correction surgery, contact a New York injury lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine for a free legal consultation today.
There are over one million legally blind citizens in the United States. The majority of these cases are the result of naturally occurring blindness in the elderly, and substantial percentages are children who are born blind. But among the number of people with weakened vision or total blindness are those who had their conditions caused by accidents. More recently, complications during the LASIK vision correction procedure have caused permanent eye damage.
Causes of Eye Injuries
Despite its apparent fragility, the eye is actually a well protected organ. It is protected by thick orbital sockets that are some of the strongest bones in the human body. These sockets actually protrude further out from the eye itself, acting as a buffer from damage caused by facial trauma. However, despite the strength of these bones, they can’t protect the eyes from everything. Eye injuries that result from foreign object puncturing of the eye often happen at work.
- Flying Objects: Bits of metal, plastic, and wood are natural dangers in workshops and construction sites.
- Tools: Any tool that has a narrow point, such as a drill bit or a screwdriver, is narrow enough to bypass the protection of the orbital socket.
- Particles: Dust and fibers from hazardous materials can either float into the eye or can be transferred there due to hand to eye contact.
- Chemical Damage: Bleaches, ammonia, and other strong chemicals are naturally hazardous to the eyes.
- Light and Radiation Damage: Exposure to arc welders or strong UV light can damage the retina, which can cause limitations in visibility or, in some cases, total blindness.
To prevent eye injury and vision damage, management of laboratories, construction sites, workshops, and garages must be conscientious when it comes to eye protection, making protective wear mandatory for workers and visitors.
The LASIK Procedure
LASIK is an acronym that stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. During this procedure, a femtosecond laser or blade is used to cut a flap in the cornea. Then the cornea is remodeled by vaporizing tissue with the use of an excimer laser. The end result is that the structural deficiencies in the cornea that cause common vision problems such as astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness are corrected when the cornea is remodeled.
The procedure certainly has its advantages. It can be done while the patient is fully awake with little pain, it can be done in a single day, and the recovery time is minimal. People all over the world who were forced to deal with eyeglasses or contact lenses are now experiencing life without them for the first time in years.
Possible Complications with LASIK
Like any surgical procedure, there are risks involved in LASIK. Considering the relative lack of pain and single day treatment and recovery time, it can be easy to forget this.
LASIK complications can vary from minor (eye dryness) to major (double vision, "0halos" or "starbursts" at night.)
The recent advent of this walk-in vision correction procedure has resulted in a marketing blitz that’s hard to escape. Millions of dollars have been spent on advertising, complete with catchy jingles, direct-mail marketing, and drive-time radio ads. Laser correction surgery is a high volume business with high volume profits, and as a result the screening process for surgical candidates might not be as thorough as it should be. The FDA has issued warnings about the hazards about refractive lens surgery, but in the mad rush to profits, it is becoming increasingly likely that the problems of prospective patients can be overlooked. This can lead to disastrous and life changing consequences.
There have been several cases in which poor screening by the surgeons has led to disastrous results for patients. Most recently, doctors at a TLC Laser Eye Center failed to notice that a 32 year old banker had a degenerative corneal condition prior to the LASIK procedure, which made it particularly unsafe. Similarly, a United Airlines pilot suffered from “halos” and double vision after the procedure, thus ruining his ability to do his job.
The New York injury lawyers at the Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine have decades of experience in fighting for the rights of the injured, and we are leading the fight for more thorough screening procedures and tighter regulations on LASIK based surgery. If you or someone you love has experience life-altering complications as a result of a corrective eye procedure, contact us for a free legal consultation today.
