When LASIK Goes Wrong: Your Legal Options Explained

LASIK is supposed to be life-changing, for the better. However, when something goes wrong due to a provider’s negligence, the impact can be devastating.

If your vision got worse after LASIK, or you’re now dealing with chronic pain, dry eyes, or other complications, it’s time to get answers. The medical malpractice team at Morgan & Morgan may be able to help, and if a provider’s mistake is to blame, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve been through.

What Is LASIK?

Short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, LASIK is a widely performed eye surgery designed to correct common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During the procedure, a surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea, uses a laser to reshape the underlying tissue, and then repositions the flap to allow for natural healing.

It sounds straightforward, but it’s a highly delicate process. Even the smallest misstep can lead to lasting complications or permanent vision damage.

Common Causes of LASIK Malpractice

LASIK-related malpractice can take many forms, but some of the most common causes of errors include:

• Inadequate Pre-Operative Screenings: Failing to conduct thorough screenings can result in performing LASIK on patients who are not suitable candidates for the procedure, increasing the risk of complications.
• Using Outdated or Poorly Calibrated Equipment: LASIK requires advanced technology to ensure precise cuts and corrections. If equipment isn’t up-to-date or properly calibrated, the procedure can result in irreversible damage.
• Skipping Safety Protocols: LASIK centers may cut corners to increase volume or reduce costs, leading to unsafe conditions. Procedures in substandard clinical environments or with improper sterilization can put patients at risk.
• Failure to Provide Informed Consent: Patients must be fully informed of the risks, alternatives, and potential outcomes associated with LASIK before undergoing the procedure. If this information is withheld, the patient may not understand the full scope of what they are consenting to.

The reality is that some LASIK centers treat this delicate procedure like a quick cosmetic enhancement. But LASIK is serious surgery. When it's handled carelessly, whether for speed, profit, or convenience, patients can suffer long-term harm that should’ve been prevented.

Are You a Victim of LASIK Malpractice?

Not every poor outcome means malpractice, but some clearly cross the line.

If your surgeon skipped vital steps, ignored red flags, or made preventable errors, they may have failed to meet the accepted standard of care. And that’s not just unfortunate, it may be legally actionable.

You could have grounds for a medical malpractice claim if any of the following occurred:

• LASIK was performed on a patient with a cornea too thin for surgery.
• The laser equipment was improperly calibrated.
• The corneal flap was cut too deep, too shallow, or off-center.
• Post-surgical infections were left untreated.
• You weren’t informed of known risks or safer alternatives.
• Post-operative complications were ignored instead of being addressed promptly.

When a preventable mistake leads to vision loss, chronic pain, or the need for further surgery, it’s more than just a bad outcome; it may be negligence. And you have the right to seek justice.

Long-Term Consequences of LASIK Mistakes

When LASIK goes wrong, the consequences can be far more severe than just disappointing; they can be life-altering. A botched procedure doesn’t just affect how you see the world; it can reshape your daily experience, your emotional well-being, and your financial stability.

Here are some of the long-term consequences patients may face after LASIK malpractice:

• Chronic dry eyes that cause persistent pain, stinging, or burning
• Night vision issues, including halos, starbursts, or glare around lights
• Double vision or “ghosting,” where images appear layered or blurred
• Severe undercorrection or overcorrection, leading to constant visual strain
• Corneal ectasia, a progressive thinning of the cornea that may require a corneal transplant
• Permanent vision loss, in rare but devastating cases

These aren’t just side effects; they’re potential signs that something went wrong when it shouldn’t have. If you're living with these symptoms, it may be time to explore your legal options.

How LASIK Malpractice Impacts Your Life

Vision problems don’t just affect how clearly you see; they can change how you live.

Maybe you used to drive confidently at night, or work long hours in front of a screen. Now, everyday tasks feel frustrating, even impossible. Some people lose their jobs because they can no longer meet the visual demands of their work. Others struggle with isolation, anxiety, or depression brought on by constant pain or diminished independence.

When LASIK goes wrong, it’s not just an inconvenience; it can disrupt nearly every part of your life. You might suddenly find yourself needing:

• Frequent eye exams
• Prescription drops for pain, inflammation, or dryness
• Custom lenses or corrective contacts
• Additional surgeries to fix or manage the damage

And those costs, both emotional and financial, can accumulate quickly. But if a doctor’s negligence caused your suffering, those burdens shouldn’t fall on you.

LASIK malpractice cases aren’t easy to handle. Many eye clinics have legal teams ready to push back. And because LASIK is often seen as “elective,” insurance companies may downplay its seriousness. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight or expect poor results.

Real Life Examples

Perhaps the best way to grasp the real effects of botched LASIK surgery is by looking at the real-life experiences of actual humans who were directly impacted by this surgery.

• A patient claimed to have been left “legally blind” after LASIK and was told to “learn to live with it.”   
• A Pennsylvania police officer died by suicide months after suffering complications from a botched LASIK surgery.
• A British medic was blinded by a “botched” laser operation and now lives in constant pain.

And these are just a few cases that made it to the news. Many more have gone unreported.

Don’t Let Their Mistake Define Your Future: Hold Negligent Providers Accountable

If a doctor, surgeon, or other medical professional failed to protect your safety, you have the right to hold them accountable. That process starts with a free case evaluation by the medical malpractice team at Morgan & Morgan.

Once we review your case, we’ll determine whether your provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. And if they did, we may be able to pursue compensation on your behalf, allowing you to focus on healing instead of the harm.