LASIK Blog
LASIK Surgery Rates Increased in 2010 Public Health Advisory on CNN Released about Dangers of LASIK The Wild, Wild West Of LASIK Informed Consent How Safe is LASIK? The Tiger Woods of Medical Procedures? THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS AND TIME BOMB OF POST LASIK ECTASIA FDA To Study LASIK Patient Satisfaction LASIK Regrets FDA Takes on LASIK Safety FDA panel meeting pushes LASIK practices into the limelight
LASIK NEWS
Linegar v. Mark Lobanoff, M.D., and North Suburban Eye Specialists, LLP
Czarniak v. 20/20 Institute, LLC and Matthew K. Chang, M.D.
“LASIK Debate Continues—Is LASIK Safe?”
Devadas v. Niksarli, M.D. and Manhattan LASIK Center, PLLC, and NewSight Laser Center, PLLC
Wymes v. Lustbader, M.D. and LASIKPlus
Niksarli Verdict – Top of 2009
FDA Announces: LASIK Quality Of Life Study
New York Law Journal Online Article
Reed v. Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
Cho v. Lee, M.D., & Mid-Manhattan Surgi-Center
Mr. Krouner quoted in the Boston Globe
New York Times Article by Abby Ellin
LASIK News
(1) Morris Waxler, Ph.D., was an F.D.A. insider responsible for approving the lasers used for LASIK surgery in the 1990’s. He has been in the press recently saying in effect “If I knew then what I know now,” I never would have approved LASIK.
Please click here for a link to Dr. Waxler’s interview on MSNBC on February 18, 2011.
(2) On February 16, 2011, Abby Ellin, a reporter for the New York Times, who is herself a LASIK surgery victim, published an article in salon.com “What we still don’t know about LASIK.” While reporting on the debate between Dr. Waxler and his former colleagues in the LASIK industry, she quotes LASIK patient attorney Todd J. Krouner, who says we need an honest patient satisfaction study, free of the financial bias of the LASIK industry, so that patients can make a truly informed decision whether to have eye surgery.
Please click here for a link to Abby Ellin’s article.
Todd J. Krouner represents victims of LASIK surgery throughout the United States.
For more information please contact us at info@krounerlaw.com.
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Linegar v. Mark Lobanoff, M.D., and North Suburban Eye Specialists, LLP
In December 2010, Layla Linegar sued Mark Lobanoff, M.D., and his practice, in connection with three eye surgeries that he performed on her in 2009. In addition to suing for medical malpractice, Ms. Linegar, who required cornea transplant surgery in January 2011, also sued for consumer fraud based on Dr. Lobanoff’s claim to be the “preferred LASIK provider” to the Minnesota Vikings.
In a February 4, 2011 article in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Dr. Lobanoff’s attorney was quoted, saying there is a “contractual relationship” with the Vikings. However, the Viking’s General Counsel neither confirmed any such argument, nor identified any Viking players whom Dr. Lobanoff had actually treated. For a copy of the article, “Woman blinded by surgery sues clinic over Vikings endorsement,” click here.
The plaintiffs are represented by Todd J. Krouner, from Chappaqua, New York, and Michael M. Zimmer, of M.A. Zimmer Law, from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Krouner represents victims of LASIK surgery throughout the United States. Mr. Zimmer has extensive experience in litigating medical malpractice actions.
For more information please contact us at info@krounerlaw.com.
Download Press Release (PDF) – December 23, 2010
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Czarniak v. 20/20 Institute, LLC and Matthew K. Chang, M.D.
Download Press Release (PDF) – December 23, 2010
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“LASIK Debate Continues—Is LASIK Safe?”
September 28th, 2010 – CNN LASIK Warning: “Dr. Morris Waxler, Form FDA Chief who’s group approved LASIK, tells CNN he is issuing a Public Health Advisory for the public stating “DO NOT DO LASIK, it’s DANGEROUS.”
Johnson Devadas and Saramma Devadas v. Kevin Niksarli, M.D., Manhattan LASIK Center, PLLC, and NewSight Laser Center, PLLC
By decision and order dated July 9, 2010, the Honorable Doris Ling-Cohan, Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County, upheld the jury’s record award of $3.1 million for a patient’s claim for past and future pain and suffering in a LASIK malpractice case, Devadas v. Niksarli, Index No. 107637/07 (Supreme Court New York County). Read more…
Download Order to Deny New Trial (PDF) – July 9, 2010
Checkiem Wymes sued Dr. Jay Lustbader and LCA-Vision, Inc., doing business as LASIKPlus, for LASIK surgery performed in 2003. The complaint alleged that Mr. Wymes was diagnosed with post-LASIK ectasia in 2009, and never should have had LASIK surgery.
In response, Dr. Lustbader and LASIKPlus moved to dismiss the complaint as untimely and barred by the Maryland statute of limitations for medical malpractice.
By Memorandum Opinion dated January 7, 2011, the federal court rejected defendants’ arguments. The court held that although the surgery was performed in 2003, the injury was alleged to have been discovered in 2008, when the patient’s vision first turned blurry.
Consequently, the complaint was timely commenced within three years of discovery under Maryland law.
The decision is important for victims of LASIK malpractice in recognizing the long fuse on the time bomb of post-LASIK ectasia.
For a copy of the court’s decision, click here.
The plaintiffs are represented by Todd J. Krouner, from Chappaqua, New York, and George S, Tolley, III, of Dugan, Babij and Tolley, LLC, from Timonium, Maryland. Mr. Krouner represents victims of LASIK surgery throughout the United States. Mr. Tolley has extensive experience in litigating medical malpractice actions.
For more information please contact us at info@krounerlaw.com.
Chekeim Wymes and Erika Wymes v. Jay Lustbader, M.D., and LCA-Vision, Inc., d/b/a LASIKPlus
Download Press Release (PDF) – July 8, 2010
$5.6 Million Devadas v. Niksarli Verdict among Top Verdicts of 2009 – Verdict Search Magazine
Download Press Release – Apr. 27, 2010
Laurie Shrieves v. Quentin Franklin, M.D., and LCA-Vision, Inc. d/b/a LASIKPlus
View Press Release – Feb. 12, 2010
Download Press Release (PDF) – Feb. 12, 2010
The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) announced that it is working with the Department of Defense and National Eye Institute to study complications arrising from LASIK surgery.
LA Times Article – “LASIK Draws FDA Attention, Warnings”
FDA Press Release – Oct. 15, 2009
Domeier v. Whitten, M.D., L. Edward Perraut, Jr. M.D., TLC The Laser Center (Northeast) Inc., Jo Angeles, O.D., Andrew Morgenstern, O.D., Greg W. McGrew, O.D., Paul J. Chmielewski, O.D., and Eyecare Center Of Leesburg, P.C.
Download Press Release – August 17, 2009
New York Law Journal Online Article
LASIK Eye Surgery: Litigation Challenges and Issues
Chapman v. Wilson Horsley, M.D., Horsley Eye Center, P.C., and Clear Vision Eye Center, Inc.
Download Press Release – March 18, 2009
Download the Complaint (PDF) – March 4, 2009
Devadas v. Niksarli, M.D., Manhattan LASIK Center, PLLC, and NewSight Laser Center, PLLC
$5.6 Million LASIK Malpractice Verdict – June 10, 2009
LASIK Malpractice Suit Press Release – December 16, 2008 – PDF
Download the Order Granting Protective Order (PDF)
Reed vs. Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
Download Press Release (PDF) – August 20, 2008
Videos: Todd Krouner speaks at the FDA LASIK hearing:
Todd Krouner FDA Hearing Materials
Todd J. Krouner was the only Plaintiff’s attorney to present at the FDA hearings on post-LASIK complications.
Todd J. Krouner’s Power Point Presentation used at the FDA hearings
Letter from Todd Krouner to the FDA regarding the April 25, 2008 hearing on post-LASIK results
ABC News
ABC News Video: Hindsight 20/20: Lasik Surgery Now Unsafe? – September 22, 2010
ABC “Good Morning America”
ABC News Video of Good Morning America Exclusive: Former FDA Regulator Says LASIK Side Effects Weren’t Taken Seriously Enough – February 25, 2010
ABC News Video of Good Morning America Exclusive: Tips and Advice on LASIK From the FDA – February 25, 2010
NBC “Nightly News”
MSNBC Video of NBC Nightly News Special: FDA Takes Closer Look at LASIK Surgery
NBC “Today Show”
MSNBC Video of The Today Show Special: Is LASIK Eye Surgery Really Safe?
April 24: A decade after LASIK surgery first became available, unhappy patients like Matt Kosovolos are eager for the Food and Drug Administration to hear their grievances. NBC’s Chief Science Correspondent Robert Bazell reports.
April 25: Millions of Americans have undergone LASIK eye surgery safely, but some suffer side effects, prompting government hearings on the procedure. TODAY’s Dr. Nancy Snyderman comments.
Associated Press
April 26, 2008
In fury and despair, patients harmed by LASIK eye surgery told federal health advisers Friday of severe eye pain, blurred vision and even a son’s suicide. The advisers recommended that the government warn more clearly about the risks of the hugely popular operations.
April 28, 2008
Analysts say Advanced Medical Optics unhurt by LASIK inquiry
April 24, 2008
Lost in the hoopla of ads promising that laser vision surgery lets you toss your glasses is a stark reality: Not everyone’s a good candidate and an unlucky few do suffer life-changing side effects — lost vision, dry eye, night-vision problems.
Wall Street Journal
April 26, 2008
While past studies generally have found that 95% of LASIK patients are satisfied with their surgery, some patients have complained the surgery left them with damaged eyes and psychological problems.
April 24, 2008
Laser vision surgery has helped millions of people see better without corrective lenses. But a small number of patients have experienced troubling aftereffects from the procedure, and the Food and Drug Administration has begun taking a closer look at their complaints.
Morning Star
Morning Star – Dow Jones Wire – April 25, 2008
An FDA panel said Friday that the agency should improve its guidance on laser vision eye surgery to better inform patients of the surgery’s risks.
WebMD
WebMD – April 25, 2008
Patients Tell FDA Panel About Serious Side Effects From Corrective Eye Surgery
Schiffer v. Speaker, TLC, et al.
$7,250,000 Jury Verdict Form
Mark Schiffer’s Preoperative Corneal Topography
Textbook Topographical Depiction of Keratoconus Part 1
Textbook Topographical Depiction of Keratoconus Part 2
Mark Schiffer’s Wave Front Study Post-LASIK/Pre-Transplant
Decision Denying Summary Judgment and Granting Protective Order for Mark Schiffer’s Expert
Another Million Dollar Settlement for One Eye
Download Press Release (PDF) – January 11, 2008
Former patient sues eye surgeon – The Charleston Gazette – December 7, 2007
Click here for a case summary and more info.
Download Order Granting Permission to File Damages Against Allara (PDF)
Download Amended Complaint (PDF)
Download the Surrendering of Allara’s License to the Medical Board (PDF)
Download the Surrendered License of Allara (PDF)
Click here to read the published news article.
The Charleston Gazette: City Doctor Faces Federal Drug Charges – March 25, 2008
Mr. Krouner quoted in The Boston Globe
A Second Look – The Boston Globe
New York Times Article by Abby Ellin
LASIK Surgery: When the Fine Print Applies to You
Alcon LADAR6000 Laser Recalled
Alcon LASIK Laser FDA Establishment Inspection Report
