LASIK and depression: Raleigh News & Observer follow-up article on LASIK

[YGB]

The article linked below appeared in the Raleigh News & Observer today (02/03/08).

http://www.newsobserver.com/150/story/920341.html
FDA to explore possible link between failed LASIK, depression

[Rojzen]

hope we can get in on this

Thank you so much for getting this out to us fast. . .While it is painful to encounter, in the piece, the continuing arrogance of those who still doubt that the maiming caused, to many, by LASIK, is serious and cause for depression and suicidal ideation, that FDA will study the linkage between LASIK damage and depression is a beginning.

As someone who just watched SICKO last night, for the first time, I cannot be too optimistic that actual rationality and public spiritedness will ultimately prevail to reign in LASIK abuse, and then to provide appropriate remedies for those who suffer physical damage and profound depression. . .but maybe things will change through the upcoming election. . .

New leadership at FDA could make a difference. . .Let us keep our eyes on who the likely appointees are, there, after Presidential results come in in November . .

[Rebecca Petris]

YGB, I hope you don't mind I changed the title of the thread. I want this one to be as noticeable and easy to find as possible.

I could not read through the whole article. My stomach did a big flop somewhere during it. Any of us that have been involved with suicidal LASIK patients - or, much worse, casualties of post LASIK suicide - will probably understand why.

This has been a long time coming. All I can say right now is how very, very grateful I feel towards the reporter, the patients who came forward to talk about post LASIK depression, the doctors who acknowledged the problem and anybody who was involved behind the scenes helping to make the article a reality.

As for those studies that have been completed but not published, and whose authors were apparently unwilling to release any further information about them... We need answers.

Depression is so ROUTINE amongst LASIK complications patients - we here all know that - but to see something about it in the press after all these years - it just leaves me speechless.

[liz56]

Even though I have never had Lasik, this article have me that sinking feeling, too. For me, it was the part about the vision not changing and living with eight copies of the moon (ghosting). That happened to me (two copies) when I was having regular, massive, painful erosions, and it feels like it will never get better. I can see why people would despair.

I worry about how many people will heal up for 10-20 years, only to discover that they have ebmd and go on to have problems later on. My erosion spot is a place where I had injured my eye as a teen. I was okay for 24 years, and my ebmd would likely have gone unnoticed for the most part, but this spot came to be a problem at age 40, according to my corneal specialist.

For every article that is written about complications or dry eye, there should be a link to the DEZ!

[LasikLady]

That was a very interesting article. I was shocked though by some of the researchers saying that "certain personality types" shouldn't have lasik. I wonder....what "personality type" would be okay with constant burning eyes and crappier vision than when they paid thousands of dollars for somebody to jack up their eyes? Hmmm....

What a joke.

As for me, I am lucky I guess. I have had perfect vision since my surgery. My only issue, although it has been a HUGE issue, is the dry eyes. I am ashamed to admit it, but I too have thought, "Why live?"

I am happy to say since finding this site my eyes and my mental state have improved greatly. I only wish the young man in that article had found this website

Rebecca, what you have done here is amazing. I am sure there is a special seat in heaven for you. Thanks.

[Maenad1]

Wow.

I can totally understand why someone might not think life was living in cases such as were illustrated in that story. Those were some gut-wrenching tales. And here I was feeling sorry for myself about being forced out of contacts for a month.

I shudder to think how close I was to the knife at one point. My doctor pushed so hard for me to get Lasik years ago; I was spared only by my own cowardice at the idea of eye surgery. He used all his persuasive powers and tried to make me feel as though I was a complete fool to turn it down. If I had been a typical, non-nervous Nellie, or more intimidated by the doctor, I would have had the surgery -- and I can only imagine what shape my eyes would be in at this point, given that they're as dry as they are and I haven't even had surgery.

I have learned so much on this forum, and I'm going to show my gratitude for all the advice I've received by spreading the word: Don't get Lasik. Maybe I can make a difference in someone's life, help keep them from suffering needlessly. I had my first opportunity last week, when my boss saw me dribbling NutraTear into my eyes in the breakroom and mentioned his wife was thinking of getting either contacts or Lasik.
"Tell her to go for the contacts," I said, and shared with him some of the stories told here.
He looked doubtful and said, "Tiger Woods is a big fan of Lasik."
I replied, "Tiger Woods got lucky."

[Stanza]

Wow.Let's hope more jounalists will pick it up eventually. Sigh.

[GeorgeT]

My OD had lasik six months ago

YGB thank you so much for your post.
BTW, my OD had lasik six months ago and he is happier than before. He is on Restatis and uses drops 2-3 times a day. His eyes are worse at the end of a working day and if AC is blasting during summer. I gave him the link to dryeyezone.

All best !!
George

[Scout]

Thanks for posting this, YGB.

I know this is old stuff for many of us old LASIKers, but it still is upsetting to hear doctors blame the patient when they can't "adjust" to poor quality vision, constant pain and chronic dry eye. Sheesh.

If a pre-existing condition such as depression, OCD or anxiety is the "cause" of post-LASIK emotional problems, why is psychological pre-screening not required for LASIK surgery as it is for bariatric surgery? Huh?

I went back to my pre-LASIK optometrist for the first time in 9 years. She and her husband (partners) were the ones who screened me and referred me for LASIK in 1999. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. I almost broke out laughing when she asked, "Are your eyes always this red and inflamed?" Oh man, did I want to let her have it, but I just said. "Yes. Yes, they are."

She pulled out several bottles of eye drops from her cabinet and offered them to me. I said, "No thanks, I can only use NutraTear from THE DRY EYE ZONE! EVERY OTHER DROP ON THE MARKET CAUSES AN ALLERGIC REACTION!" [I wasn't actually shouting, but I felt like it].

Scout

[dianat]

Scout,

I think I would have a panic attack in the presence of my prior optometrist and LASIK surgeon. You are very strong to have even gone in.

D

[Peggy]

My girlfriend emailed me about the article in the Raleigh newspaper ...I had the same reaction as Rebecca. It was like reliving some of my darkest moments. Its a great article and my friend was reaching out to me because it explained so much of my ordeal. The sentence though that really put me over the edge was " They(lasik surgeons) say patients who exhibit depression after the procedure were likely depressed or psychologically troubled beforehand." I cannot believe that THEY believe that crap. The drs. need to "See" that the root of the depression is ultimately that the patient is in severe pain and cannot see! Well enough ranting.
I am approaching my 3rd year date, March 7(Lasik) and am doing better. I am going to Italy with my students my 1st big trip in 3 years and I am going for it! I still look forward to reading all the notes and advice from all you dry eye supporters. Peggy

[brd888]

ban

Do you think we shall ever see Laser treatment banned altogether? Or how likely is it that the selection process will be more heavily regulated? Even ideal candidates can get bad complications. How can this be weighted against all the successful operations?

Bruce

[YGB]

LASIK news story gets syndicated ...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...yndication=rss

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...,5777703.story

http://www.dailylocal.com/WebApp/app...path=/DLN/Home

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/...208News023.asp

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/health/224322

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2...7130575588.txt

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/2639

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/..._failed_lasik/

[Rojzen]

excellent tracking; FDA participation?

Bless you for posting those syndications, YGB! These are all good news. . .Wondering, btw, whether anyone here has plans to try to attend FDA meetings on post-LASIK issues. . .

[YGB]

Bless you for posting those syndications, YGB! These are all good news. . .Wondering, btw, whether anyone here has plans to try to attend FDA meetings on post-LASIK issues. . .

Thanks Roj! As an fyi, I plan on attending the FDA meetings re: post-LASIK issues.