Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The extreme side effects of a popular elective surgery have been detailed after a man tragically died by suicide following complications.
Pennsylvania police officer Ryan Kingerski took time off in August last year to undergo LASIK, the most commonly performed type of laser eye surgery in the US.
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But just five months later, in January this year, Ryan took his own life after reportedly suffering debilitating side effects after the surgery.
The policeman saw dark spots and 'floaters,' tiny spots that look like streaks or unusual shapes in his vision, reports the New York Post.
His father Tim told WTAE the surgery 'ruined his life in 12 seconds'.
What is LASIK surgery?
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, more commonly known as LASIK, involves the reshaping of the cornea.
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It is pitched as an alternative to glasses or contact lenses, according to the Mayo Clinic, by changing the dome-shaped clear tissue at the front of the eye.
The health site states the surge is 95 to 99 percent safe, with the site claiming that while side effects of LASIK eye surgery 'are common', complications that pose a loss of vision 'are very rare'.
Side effects of LASIK surgery
Like many health resources have stated, side effects from laser eye surgery are rare, though there are some symptoms to keep in mind.
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The UK's NHS says complications of LASIK can include:
- a detached retina
- permanent loss of vision
- requiring a second operation
- under-treatment or over-correction, 'where the amount of correction in your vision is either more or less than intended'
- getting age-related cataracts earlier in life
- posterior capsule opacification (PCO) – this is where part of the lens capsule thickens and causes cloudy vision
Morris Waxler was an FDA advisor who worked in the branch that approved LASIK in its early days, but is now said to regret his work.
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“People come in with healthy eyes and all they need is eyeglasses. But when surgeons cut the cornea they are removing nerves and leaving the corneas with odd shapes and some patients will have intractable pain,” the 89-year-old told The Post.
Waxler went on to say he has been working towards getting the FDA to remove his approval of LASIK.
“They cut nerves, then, in addition, they take out a divot, which removes all the support structure or muscle out of the support section and all of it,” he added.
“Sometimes it grows back, sometimes it doesn’t grow back, sometimes it grows back poorly. For some people, it’s a bigger problem than others.”
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If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Topics: Mental Health, Health, Life
Callum Jones