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LASIK Surgery Can Cause Drug-Resistant "Superbug" Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a form of drug-resistant bacteria, can be a serious post-operative complication. A recent study found MRSA infections in the eyes of 12 patients after LASIK surgery.

One case involved a nurse whose LASIK-corrected vision took a quick turn for the worse within two weeks. He developed an infection in his left eye that got worse despite treatments, until doctors discovered it was related to MRSA.

So far, his vision has only been partially recovered.

American Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol. 143, No. 4, April 2007: 629-634

Science Daily April 10, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Considering all the problems associated with refractive eye surgery, especially when it involves a laser, I'm not surprised to learn these procedures have also been linked to drug-resistant bacteria.

The MRSA infections in these cases were apparently not the result of having eye surgeries in a hospital setting, where MRSA often thrives. Cases of MRSA acquired outside of hospitals are becoming more and more of a problem -- no surprise to anyone who knows about the antibiotics that are pumped into conventionally-raised livestock and dumped into the water supply in the form of antibacterial soaps.

This constant low-level antibiotic activity allows bacteria to develop resistance in the wild.

As a result, you can add MRSA to the list of horrible problems -- among them, double vision, halos, starbursts and severe dry eye syndrome -- associated with LASIK. There are safer, more effective options at your disposal, however, that can help restore your vision without surgery.

You can read about the Secrets of Regaining Your Vision Naturally, which is the process I used to virtually eliminate my use of reading glasses for the last three years. We have had thousands of people successfully use this process to achieve their normal vision.

The course is not for everyone as it is not a quick fix. Even my own brother opted for LASIK a few weeks ago, which really saddened me, but he was not interested in going through the course.

But if you are committed to solving the problem rather than surgically installing glasses on your corneas, with all the possible short- and long-term complications, then I could not more strongly recommend the course as it comes with a complete 365-day guarantee. 

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Article's Comment     ( 19 Comments )
 
 
 +9 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY A.Butler   
  
[ Joined on 11/06 ]
[ Posted on April 12, 2007 ]
Post Reply
Lasik was SCARY but it did help me.Prevention is the way to go.And I am into everything Dr Mercola is talking about,but it's surely nice to be able to see peolpe at a distance and not to have headaches from heavy glasses frames...would I do it again,after i "took control of my health"? I don't know.But I'm really happy that I have grat vision now. Eye muscle excercises just didn't do it for me.
 

 +6 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY helpingheart   
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on May 03, 2007 ]
 
I've been contemplating this procedure since a very close friend of mine had it done by a higly regarded doctor - Dr David A. Wallace who has authored scientific papers and is an innovator in high-tech medical insturmentation.  She has had ZERO problems and she had it done at 36, about 3 years ago, paid about $4,700 for both eyes.

Now, I had another friend (early 20's) who went to one of those you hear advertised on the radio, it is the kind of center where they pump the people in and out, a "mill" of sorts, and she had problems right away, blurry vision, had to be constantly putting drops, her eyes were not healing properly, she was miserable, paid $700 per eye.

My conclusion is that going to one of the best doctors made all the difference in the world.

 +4 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY tpribors   
  
[ Joined on 01/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on May 02, 2007 ]
 
I also had LASIK in 1999 at age 34. 

First of all, if someone is  considering this surgery, I was told by the dr who did the surgery that people who have LASIK have a greater risk of having a detached retina.  That was known even back then.

Also keep this in mind: my vision was fine for years other than what I considered a couple of inconveniences.  One, I can never rub my eyes or my vision gets blurry temporarily.  Recently there have been articles that some people's flap never heals.  Also, I now have severe case of dry eyes--I didn't have that problem before.

About six months ago I moved to a higher altitude (6000') and now my vision has changed.   I don't know if it's coincidental or due to the altitude, but this much I can tell you: I can't drive at night anymore because everything is so blurry.  However, I can still see well enough during the day. 

Now here's the wierd part:  At night, if I look through a crack in my fingers, or through a pinhole, my vision is ok.   It's like the pupil now enlarges beyond the area of the surgery at night, but if I just allow light to the center of the pupil, I can see.  Very weird.  I refuse to have LASIK again.  My eyes were pretty bad before I had them done (-6) and there's more risk for complication when more has to be removed.  My only option left is to go to an eye doctor about 1000 miles away to get special glasses.  Meanwhile I have been doing eye excercises to prevent my eyes from getting worse. 

Please seriously consider that there are no long term studies on this surgery.  Take a look at what's happening now that it's been 8 years and ask yourself if you want to go through this 8-10 years from now. 

This is only anecdotal, but I thought is was important enough to post my experience here

 +3 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY alm260   
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on May 05, 2007 ]
 
I've had glasses since the age of 7 and my eyes got worse and worse so that by the time I was in high school, by glass were coke bottle size and were always sliding down my nose.  I couldn't wear contacts so I always hoped and prayed that there would be a way that I wouldn't have to wear glasses someday. (My vision was -10.75 in one eye and -9.50 in the other)

When I first heard about Lasik in 2000, I knew this was what I had always waited for.  At the age of 32, I had the surgery in 2000 and it's been seven years since and I don't regret it not one bit!  I've had no problems with my eyes.

I love Dr. Mercola and follow a lot of his advice, but this is where I go seperate ways with him.

 +3 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY saralynne7   
  
[ Joined on 05/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on May 01, 2007 ]
 
I was very nearsighted since the age of 7 or 8. In 1999, at the age of 42, I had Lasik. I still can say that it was one of the best things I've ever done for myself! Although my vision has "slipped" slightly, I can still read all but the very smallest print without readers. I use yellow tinted weak prescription glasses to drive at night, although I can manage without them. Even if all the dreaded side effects occur as I age, I am still glad that I did it! I can see the leaves on the trees, and the clock in the middle of the night, and I do not have to wear glasses or contacts. I know many others who have benefitted from Lasik. 

            
 
Author of the Article
BY RHealth