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All LASIK Patients Need their Pre-surgery Medical Records

All LASIK patients, regardless of outcome, have a need to secure their pre-surgery medical records. These medical records will be invaluable for LASIK patients when they require cataract surgery. Almost everyone has had an elderly relative who has benefited from cataract surgery. LASIK patients without medical records often have poor results from cataract surgery because their cataract surgeons do not have access to the patient’s pre-LASIK corneal measurements.

There is no disagreement that patients should obtain these records. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all future patients receive their medical records at the time of their LASIK surgery. But what of the millions of Americans who have already had LASIK? How can we communicate with these patients? LSW is working to spread the message about the need to obtain pre-surgical medical records to all LASIK patients. We contacted the FDA to request a public service announcement advising past patients to contact their surgeons and request records. Following our request, the FDA has added a recommendation to their website that all post-LASIK patients obtain their pre-LASIK medical records. They also stated that the “FDA is looking into possible further efforts to communicate this issue to former LASIK patients and treating physicians.”

While we welcome the actions of the FDA, we do wonder why our specific request for a broader public announcement has been ignored. Perhaps the FDA and the LASIK industry fear the reaction of millions of LASIK patients who were never provided this essential information. Perhaps this example of inadequate informed consent would raise questions in patients’ minds concerning other critical information they may not have received about LASIK eye surgery.

Fortunately, changes are expected at the FDA with the new administration. LSW intends to pursue the issue of patient medical records and other issues over the next year, and expects a more receptive ear at the FDA in the future.

We urge all LASIK patients to use the AAO K-Card available to capture your pre-LASIK corneal measurements and request complete records from your LASIK surgeon.