LASIK eye surgery side effects lead young police officer to end his life

Well that sucks. I had LASIK about 25 years ago and it has held up. No pain, either.

Aw, he was a cutie.

When your eye prescription is bigger than your dick size…

Ryan loved to play hockey.

My heart goes out to the family and friends. Such a tragedy when he only wanted to better himself.

He is in peace now, dancing with the angels.

He had nice eyebrows.

I asked about Lasik and noticed everyone including the doctor was wearing glasses

R7 Yep! If the eye doctors don't trust it, I stick with glasses and contacts.

I was told my pupils were too big!!!

^ did you get off the molly?

I would never risk it, no matter how many patients say their procedure was successful.

He killex himself over headaches and eye pain? IDK, there was probably more going on with him than just that.

A Detroit meteorologist killed herself after eye surgery back in 2019.

Interview with Ryan from 8 years ago.

Listen to what Dr. Morris Waxler, a former FDA employee has to say.

It's kind of terrifying. I had no idea LASIK was so bad.

[quote] He killex himself over headaches and eye pain? IDK, there was probably more going on with him than just that.

You're a fucking moron, R12.

Listen to what these other people who had complications, had to say.

Then shut your stupid fucking mouth!

Jesus Christ, i had no idea Lasik was so risky.

This is why I did what I did!!!

The moron in disbelief R12 probably hasn't had excruciating pain or any serious medical condition yet, but time will remedy that.

R16 whatever, I listened and still say the same - There are people with chronic pain who don't kill themselves. There were other mental/emotional factors at play also.

r19 enough to kill myself? Hope not

R12/R20 needs to be Luigi'ed.

Can you imagine being the eye Dr who performed the surgery and the followup is finding out that your patient committed suicide because of the procedure .Oy gevalt.

The bad side effects when the surgery goes sideways are extreme r20. Your eyeballs are causing you a lot of pain but taking them out isn't an option.

R22 - your OTT response says a lot about YOUR mental/emotional state lol...

r11 Same. It also costs at least $10,000 per eye. I'll stick with myopia and astigmatism.

A year after I had one cataract removed the area where the opthimologist yanked an instrument out still hurts whenever I start crying.

The guy who had a botched LASIK procedure had two choices: commit suicide or get hooked on opiates the rest of his life. You'd kill yourself too if you were him r19. Margaret Hamilton also commited suicide from severe, unending arthritis pain.

Well, he probably would have been laid off by President Musk, anyway.

I had LASIK 20 years ago and had pretty successful results. Last exam about 3 years ago I was still at near 20/20. I’d say I’m about 5 years out from needing glasses again, but my optometrist says my results are considered better than expected. When I had the surgery, I wasn’t really told what the side effects could be beyond halos at night and dry eye. I only had the dry eye, but nothing debilitating. I can’t imagine having pain to the point that I’d kill myself as the only option to deal with it. I’m glad I never had to deal that possibility, but was never told about any worst case scenarios like these people are living with.

That is why I don't do stuff, cause everything can go wrong.

It's a shame. He was really cute. Why did he need LASIK so young? I was told I'm not a good candidate for it. I wear contacts during the day and glasses when I'm at home. I've known lots of people that had it and still had to wear the glasses anyway. So what's the point?

[quote] Why did he need LASIK so young?

He probably just wanted to correct his vision so he didn't have to wear glasses any more, especially because LASIK is considered to be a "safe" surgery.

But it's like his parents said, no one ever warned him about the dangers of LASIK.

Hell, even I thought LASIK was safe, until I saw this story.

It really makes you think twice.

[quote]I asked about Lasik and noticed everyone including the doctor was wearing glasses

I had an ex who was an optometrist (not an ophthalmologist - I would have put up with more if someone had an MD after their name). I was a contact lens wearer (and a bad one - I slept in them, wore them too long, etc.), so I asked him about it.

He said for 90% of patients, it is fine, but it also doesn't last. You will wear glasses/contacts again in 10/15 years. He also said he would never risk his sight because of those 10%.

I would never do it. Besides, my eyes have changed quite a bit. I could read road signs and was near sighted. Now I can read road signs and see far away but I wear cheap readers.

Poor guy.

I feel bad for his twin, too.

I considered Lasik but have heard horror stories like this of people killing themselves after dealing with horrible side effects. I read an article a couple years ago (I think—might have the timeline skewed) about a woman who had chronic debilitating dry eyes after Lasik that was incurable and extremely painful, to the point that it drove her to kill herself too. I've worn contact lenses and glasses since I was nine years old. 25 years later, I think I can live with them at this point, even if the risks that come with Lasik are very low.

[quote] Margaret Hamilton also commited suicide from severe, unending arthritis pain.

She died of a heart attack, Rose.

[quote]Margaret Hamilton also commited suicide from severe, unending arthritis pain.

It was Clara Blandick.

[quote]Margaret Hamilton also commited [sic] suicide from severe, unending arthritis pain.

You're thinking of Aunt Em, not Miss Gulch. That was Clara Blandick, your namesake.

I knew a woman who had terrible headaches and eye pain, with sensitivity to light and blurred vision. It went on for seven months, and then the problems resolved.

Seven months, Ryan.

Tsk.

I'll get you for that, R25.

And your fat ugly pussy, too!

This is not the first suicide due to lasik side effects. I got ICL-- it is where they put a lens in your eye. It seems extreme, but it is safer than lasik.

I am calling BS on not being warned, that's all they do and make you sign endless paperwork before surgery. Not saying they didn't f-up but no way did he not know there was a risk. 1% of 1 million people is still 10,000 that had serious reaction.

[quote]I asked about Lasik and noticed everyone including the doctor was wearing glasses .... Yep! If the eye doctors don't trust it, I stick with glasses and contacts.

Most people are told in advance the still might need light reading glasses after the surgery Rose.

[quote]. I've known lots of people that had it and still had to wear the glasses anyway. So what's the point?

Because most people have eyesight so bad that they end up with very very thick, heavy, uncomfortable glasses like these as they age:

I know LASIK is generally successful and serious-problem free, but still, worse-case-scenario stories always make me hesitate. I've been seriously considering it. I have terrible vision -7.50 (I wear contacts); plus I have to wear readers for anything close. The only upside is that the rate of decline has really slowed down over the years. Even to get to like -2.5 so I'm not totally useless if I was in an emergency without contacts or glasses. Do people get both eyes done at the same time. I think I'd want to do one and then the other.

^^ I'll add that the cost and the fact that I really have no issues with contacts are other reasons that prevent me from pulling the trigger. My optometrist always reminds me that "contacts go up to -XX.X and glasses even higher." It's comforting, and I always laugh.

I know many people who have had the procedure successfully, but a few years ago a friend's mom had serious complications. Until then I didn't realize the risks, as it's been around for so long and seemed almost like standard practice. My eyesight is terrible, but I'm going to stick with multifocal contacts, which I'm lucky to have no problems with.

Sticking to contacts and glasses because you are afraid is not an option in many cases. Cataracts cloud your lens and yellow over time until you cant see at all. Lens replacement surgery or living with total blindness is your only option at that point.

But you don't have to get LASIK. You just get cataract surgery.

[quote]...very very thick, heavy, uncomfortable glasses like these...

Thankfully less common now that much thinner lenses are available even for high myopia.

[quote] I know LASIK is generally successful and serious-problem free, but still, worse-case-scenario stories always make me hesitate. I've been seriously considering it. I have terrible vision -7.50 (I wear contacts); plus I have to wear readers for anything close. The only upside is that the rate of decline has really slowed down over the years. Even to get to like -2.5 so I'm not totally useless if I was in an emergency without contacts or glasses. Do people get both eyes done at the same time. I think I'd want to do one and then the other.

I wouldn't risk it.

You may have the inconvenience of glasses and contacts right now, but it's a hell of a lot better than having debilitating pain and seeing spots every time you open your eyes.

I'd say that LASIK should be used as a last resort.

If you don't absolutely need it, then don't get it.

Can't believe no one is developing new vision correcting procedures. Why does Lasik still have a monopoly?

There is medical progress all the time. If we live long enough we might benefit from some of it.

LASIK really only makes sense if you get it in your 20’s. This way you’ll have a good 15 years of clear vision before needing reading glasses, which LASIK doesn’t prevent

Kathy Griffin tried to warn us

What’s the difference between LASIK and cataract surgery?

Lasik makes your eye sight better, a cataract is a physical ailment.

[quote] LASIK really only makes sense if you get it in your 20’s.

This guy was in his 20s, and he ended up killing himself because of the horrific side effects.

Are there other options to Lasik?

[quote] Are there other options to Lasik?

Eyeglasses, audiobooks.

[quote]Eyeglasses, audiobooks.

That sobering phase which follows earrings and caftans.

I am reading you can get lens replacement?? They put a lense implant in your eye? How can that be less complicated than Lasik?

I had LASIK 10 years ago to the day yesterday. I still have about 20/20 vision in both eyes. At one point, it was almost 20/15. The only side effect is having to deal with dry eye issues. But those are manageable. I highly recommend the surgery.

I had my cataracts zapped off a few months ago and the procedure cured my nearsightedness.

I'm 65 and worn glasses since I was 6. I no longer need them.

To R63, me too. My eyes started going bad at 16 years old, got glasses (kept getting into fights-Giant surprise!!).

Contacts at 21 years old, legally blind by 30 yrs. Contacts lenses Prescription got to 20/500.

2 years ago, got cataracts surgery at Penn Hospital-20/10 in left-20/20 in right eye, Perfect vision, I can see distances perfectly. They asked me about why I didn't get lasik surgery, I told them I didn't like the fact that my eyes would go bad-needs glasses.

I heard some people develop side effects like severe eye pain, I told the eye Dr. I'm already nuts.

I can understand it. I’m living with severe tinnitus and hearing distortion 24/7, not physical pain but it is sometimes psychologically harrowing. I had to back away from the online forums, too many suicidals on there and one of them actually did it.

Really sorry, R65. Have a hug.

[quote] I had my cataracts zapped off a few months ago and the procedure cured my nearsightedness.

Cataract surgery is totally different from LASIK.

A cataract is a physical thing that is removed from your eye. The surgeons don't have to do the type of work on cataracts, that they do with LASIK.

LASIK is invasive and dangerous.

Cataract removal is dangerous too, but not nearly as damaging as LASIK surgery.

Cataract surgery replaces the lens with an artificial one.

R39, those were the thinnest lenses possible. High-Index only gets so thin and when you are at -20.00 no way around super thick glasses.

Seems to me, anyone removing the lens out of your eyeball is just as risking as doing something to the surface.

Don't think LASIK is going to work for this guy.

Had a co-worker who got Lasik 25 years ago - he said it really helped and was great EXCEPT, he had teary eyes a LOT.

Don't know if it went away - but its not exactly professional for a man to look like he's crying.

No thanks. Glasses aren't that bad.

I wonder if wearing glasses was an issue with being a police officer? For shooting accuracy? Poor guy - and when you're in your 20s, you don't have much life perspective and just think you're doomed.

Maybe it would have healed - maybe it wouldn't. Just awful.

I'd try heroin. Heroin should be legal. Get them some Oxycotin. What have they got to lose?

How bad was his eyesight to begin with? They usually wont do that on young people even with really really bad eyesight. Based on the clip I bet the parents pushed him into it, paid for it now regret their mistake. The fact that they seem to by lying about "no one told them" that their is a chance it could turn out botched reeks of BS for sympathy. Did the guy have clinical depression before this? Comments are turned off.

Had laser surgery for narrow angles a few years ago. Thay put holes so my tear ducts could drain better and avoid glaucoma. Luckily, a smooth experience. Also had a contact scratch my cornea - that shit was agony for a day.

Cataracts are the closing of the lens that’s inside our eyes. Docs cut the eyeball open to take that lens out and replace it with a silicon lens. That new lens can be chosen so you don’t need glasses any more.

LASIK is the lasering of the front of the eye to make it thinner. That helps focus blurry vision.

Like every surgery, some people can have bad outcomes for both but, generally, both a very safe and effective

^closing = clouding

did he have that problem in both eyes after surgery? tben, if so, it could me human error. I guess the surgery can go wrong on one eye but in two? that is a little improbable

Blood flow is already poor in the eyes. Cutting and lasering on them is a bad idea unless absolutely necessary, such as in the case of cataracts.

r79, The clear part of your eyes have no vessels, so there is no bleeding with cataract or lasik.

As said, cataract surgery is pretty radical. They remove your lens. In the old days, before lens implants, you just had no lens and had to wear thick “coke bottle” glasses.

I had LASIK in 1996 at 41 years old. Best thing I ever did. I didn't need glasses again until 2014, and by 2023 I had my cataracts fixed. I remember LASIK having like a 1 percent rate of failure. My sight is brilliant, and I had glasses in second grade. Both are very safe, but if they do go wrong it's obviously horrible.

R25 Margaret Hamilton is alive

I was thinking of getting LASIK surgery...once I win the lottery. Now I'm not so sure anymore

R43 Most people? I rarely see old people with glasses that thick.

[Quote]Kathy Griffin tried to warn us

I remember when Kathy was on Piers Morgan's show; he totally gaslit her about her experience with Lasik surgery.

R65 what forums were you on?

For the DLers who have had LASIK - do you get both eyes done the same day? That would obviously be cheaper, but I want to have one done, wait like two months and then have the other one done. Just to see how it plays out.

I feel so sad for people it goes wrong for. There ought to be a big effort by the medical community to remedy their pain.

Why do insurance companies allow for both eyes to be done at the same time?

Sad that the hot Polish sizemeat decided to off himself.

But seriously, lots of people have been fucked up by LASIK.

This is scaring the F out of me. Always wanted Lasik and now Im scared

[quote] This is scaring the F out of me. Always wanted Lasik and now Im scared

Good news for you: getting LASIK is voluntary.

R91, plenty of people have it LASIK done successfully. That said, it's such high stakes since it's your eyes. Having abnormal vision problems AND severe pain in your eyes - yeah I can see why it drives people to kill themselves when it foes wrong.

Don't mess with your eyes. I havean autoimmune eye disease called Uveitis. Not good. Lasik is an elective procedure and so don't elect it. It is okay to wear glasses.

Some of us who are farsighted instead of near sighted cant get LASIK. The cut off for LASIK is at +6.00 so even if I wanted to my only option is lens replacement but I don't have cataracts yet.

The Trump voters yell and scream "Tell the FDA!" To which I respond, what FDA?

I prefer blindness.

There is NO WAY I would pay for some asshole to cut my cornea with a FUCKING laser. How vain do you have to be?

[quote]I am calling BS on not being warned, that's all they do and make you sign endless paperwork before surgery.

Umm have you noticed how whenever you're signing away your rights on those legal disclosures that there always seems to be someone from the staff standing there downplaying everything as you're doing it!? "Oh don't worry about that--they just have to put that in there for legal reasons! That's really rare! We've never actually seen that happen before and we've done thousands of these procedures!" (things of that nature). And if you tell them you did your own online research and discovered some horror stories, they're quick to tell you, "STAY OFF THE INTERNET!!! DON'T READ THAT STUFF!" Always downplaying the risks. I myself am permanently disabled due to a negligent doctor and his arsenal of FDA-approved poisons (Cipro, in my case). Once you've falled victim to a doctor, you're on your own. They lie and deny and protect one another.

Also I know of two people who've had LASIK and had bad results. The first was a woman I worked with...she would cry whenever she'd talk about it. She said it completely ruined her night vision (lights all had halos around them) which prevented her from being able to drive at night any longer. She even told me one time that she sometimes contemplated ending her life because of the intense regret she felt over it.

The other happened more recently...a guy I knew had it done and has also been having a hell of a time ever since. They told him his issues should resolve after X number of months but he's passed that point now and his problems persist. He posts on FB often about how much he regrets having had it done.

Ain't no way I'd ever let another human being go anywhere near my eyes with a laser. I'll stick with glasses and contacts.

How about a scalpel? I knew a guy many years ago when LASIK was new had his eyes done the old fashioned way with a scalpel. The doctor basically cuts an X on the cornea by hand and when it heals you get what you get.

I wonder how bad was his prescription? I’ve never met someone with worse vision than myself and my prescription is bigger than my….. personality.

R31 THAT's what turned me off the idea. The FUCK you mean it doesn't last? I'd have to get my eyeballs lasered AGAIN?

Nah, I'm good.

I had it done 25 years ago for astigmatism. The outcome was a great success for me and meant being able to see well and not having to fuss around with contacts which had corrected my eyesight but at a cost of near constant irritation on some level and the need to clean and reclean and pop out and reinsert throughout every day. The Lasik correction was a revelation.

The procedure however... In the initial consultation and patient forms I informed them of medical conditions, specifically stating I was HIV positive and the state of my treatment. I saw the actual doctor -- "the best in the metropolitan area" -- for 30 seconds that first day. When I arrived for the procedure they had given me one Valium and the doctor then administered numbing drops. But I felt fucking everything. The doctor thought I was overacting and was perturbed, but I could describe where exactly in what quadrant of either eye he was touching. So the procedure, already underway, was extremely uncomfortable, not made better by the irritated doctor who seemed to think that it didn't hurt. Another Valium and a wait a flood of numbing drops and the pain was insignificantly reduced. In any case, I suffered through the procedure and the doctor screaming at me to stop moving. I wore movie star dark shades for a few days. A week later it was fine, and I could see.

I've needed low level reading glasses for the past decade and don't mind them at all. If I ever need something more than reading glasses, I will stick to eyeglasses as a solution, and not risk Lasik ever again.

My former optometrist said the maximum age for the best effects is 42.

I could never get LASIK. When I got my first pair of contacts (at age 17), I freaked out at the Dr.'s finger coming towards my eye. I practically backed up into the next exam room when he asked if I'd prefer to insert them myself. I've had no real problems with contacts and I'll be 63 next month. I have to admit, it took some time to get used to the daily wear lenses. When I first got contacts, you wore them a week and put them in the little cups with disinfecting solution each night. Now, I pay $500+ for a year's worth (actually 360 days) and throw them out each night. It took some getting used to; spending $500+ and throwing them out.

I thought these days often they recommend trying a contact lens in one eye for corrected distance, and nothing in the other for reading? [Italic]Supposedly[/italic], your system adjusts to this quickly without headaches?

Anyone gone that route?

R101 Say what?

Yes, r106. That has been my prescription for about 20 years now.

Sad. I’m going to keep on fumbling through life with severe nearsightedness (-9.50) and now farsightedness as well.

R109 Word on the street is, you got a fat lens!

r13 People with blue/light eyes are advised not to get it.

R106, I have worn glasses and contact lenses with a prescription in both eyes for years. Then last year, my eye doctor suggested I just put one contact lens in one eye and see how it worked. It has changed everything. I am able to drive completely fine and read completely fine without having to wear readers. Just one lens is all I need. Monovision.

I paid a fortune in contact lenses for both eyes that I didn’t need.

I had LASIK in Toronto in 1996 at 41 from the doctor who invented it. Best thing I ever did. I needed glasses again in 2014, but no big deal. Cataract surgery in 2023. I'd do it all over again. No coke bottle glasses or contacts for almost 40 years.

What does it do to make people go insane with madness!?!

No thank you! 1/100000 people commit suicide!?

Odds are too high!