Your Legal Guide to LASIK Eye Surgery

Doctors and patients alike praise laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery as a fast, reliable, and minimally invasive surgery to correct vision. As more patients opt for LASIK eye surgery to regain lost vision and reduce dependency on glasses and contact lenses, the number of personal injury lawsuits has risen.

Every patient who undergoes LASIK surgery accepts certain risks of the procedure. When an injury or poor result occurs because of LASIK eye surgery, however, it’s possible to bring a case against the surgeon or facility. Here’s what you need to know about the legalities of LASIK surgery in Philadelphia, PA.

FAQS CONCERNING LASIK EYE SURGERY

When a patient considers LASIK eye surgery, he or she will have numerous questions about the procedure. Seek the help of your eye doctor to answer questions regarding your specific needs and concerns. There are general FAQs and answers that may help you decide if LASIK is right for you:

• What is LASIK surgery? LASIK uses a high-tech laser to reshape the cornea. LASIK surgery allows the cornea and lens to refract light rays properly, bringing images into focus.
• Is LASIK FDA approved? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved LASIK for consumers as a safe and effective procedure. However, the FDA can’t control an eye doctor’s practice, the price of LASIK surgery, or whether a doctor provides the patient with a LASIK information booklet.
• Who shouldn’t use LASIK? There are certain patients who shouldn’t choose LASIK, as they may experience poor results. You aren’t a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery if you don’t want to take the risk, if a refractive procedure could harm your career, if cost is a concern, or if your eyeglass prescription has changed in the past year.
• What is recovery like? One of the most popular aspects about LASIK surgery is the quick recovery. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes, and its effects are immediate. Most patients can resume normal activities within one or two days after the surgery.
• What if something goes wrong? There are inherent risks to LASIK eye surgery, such as under- or over-corrections, vision loss, dry eyes, and vision returning to pre-surgery conditions. If a doctor’s mistake or negligence caused the mishap, the patient has the option to file a report with the FDA, complain to Pennsylvania’s state optometry licensing board, or contact an attorney to file a personal injury claim.

Once an authority has answered all your questions regarding LASIK eye surgery, determine if the results are worth the risks. On top of inherent risks, there’s always the chance that the optometrist will make an error during your surgery. If you or a loved one has sustained a LASIK eye surgery injury in Philadelphia, consult an experienced attorney to protect your rights.

SEEKING LEGAL HELP FOR LASIK EYE SURGERY INJURIES

When an inexperienced doctor or negligent equipment manufacturer causes injury during LASIK eye surgery, the injured patient can seek compensation via medical malpractice or product liability laws. The type of claim you can file will depend on the circumstances of your injury. Undergoing surgery poses certain risks, but these risks differ from the injuries negligence causes. If you have reason to suspect that someone’s error in judgment, lack of skill, or recklessness caused your injury during LASIK surgery, contact an attorney right away to discuss your case.

During a LASIK eye surgery personal injury case, the doctor, facility, or LASIK equipment manufacturer may be the defendant, depending on the situation. Your Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney will help you name the correct defendant and file a claim with the Pennsylvania civil courts. You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim for medical malpractice or product liability.