Former FDA doc warns against procedure he approved

Most eye doctors will tell you that Lasik surgery is safe, effective – and virtually foolproof. [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3AXy3kE52PF) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3AXy3kE52PF) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] June 17, 2023 [] Reader, Most eye doctors will tell you that Lasik surgery is safe, effective – and virtually foolproof. That’s not the case. Lured by the promise of a quick fix that can rid you of your eyeglasses and contact lenses, millions of Americans have undergone Lasik since it was approved by the FDA in the 1990s. Sadly, most patients have also been led to believe that Lasik is safe. But they haven’t been given the full picture... The truth is that as far back as 2008, patients who had received Lasik testified at an FDA investigation that the procedure caused a host of new, irreversible symptoms – including double and triple vision, dry eyes, the presence of glare, halos and starbursts, and persistent, severe eye pain. A recent clinical trial conducted by the FDA involving 262 patients found that a shocking percentage of patients – nearly 50% – who had healthy eyes before undergoing a Lasik procedure developed damaging complications after the surgery.1 The study also found that ophthalmologists and eye surgeons almost never warn patients about the risk of sustaining permanent eye damage following Lasik. Meanwhile, an investigation by ABC News found more than 700 reports of extreme pain that has been described as “worse than childbirth” after surgery.2 Severe pain has even caused some patients to take their own lives. And that makes the FDA’s lack of action even more incomprehensible.3 Dr. Morris Waxler, a former FDA regulator who helped oversee the approval of Lasik surgery in 1999, admits he regrets his role in bringing the procedure to the public. Today, he is warning the public that the FDA is refusing to listen to testimonies. FDA has long history of pushing untested medical practices I’ve been warning my patients and readers for years that many medical devices approved by the FDA lack good information regarding potential side effects. You see, these devices are usually tested by the same companies that make them. And thanks to the cozy relationship between these corporations and the FDA, they often get quick approval before serious complications come to light. Meanwhile, the booming Lasik eye surgery market – controlled by medical device/pharma giants like Abbott, Bausch & Lomb, and Alcon Laboratories – is expected to be worth $3 billion by 2030 as the FDA continues to ignore the warnings and testimonies. As a result, most eye surgeons who perform the procedure aren’t listening, either. They continue to insist Lasik is safe. The procedure itself uses lasers to cut in and reshape a patient’s eye. But there are much safer ways to improve your eyesight. Despite what optometrists and ophthalmologists will tell you, you can reverse vision loss at any age simply with a unique combination of nutrients. These powerful nutrients help fight inflammation, influence blood vessel function, and increase blood flow to your eyes, relaxing the muscles in your eyes and repairing and protecting your lens and retina. Improve vision safely and effectively with key nutrients As a regular reader, you know two of the best nutrients for improving vision and protecting your eye health are [lutein and zeaxanthin](1770d7/ct1_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AXy3kE52PF). But they’re not the only vision-saving supplements I recommend. - Start at the top. Old-fashioned eye charts always have the letter E at the top. In my book, that E stands for vitamin E — one of the most important nutrients you can “feed” your eyes. It helps to keep cells in the eyes free from the damaging effects of inflammation. As you know, inflammation is the root cause of almost every disease — including diseases of the eyes. If not treated, it can lead to vision loss and even macular degeneration. In fact, some studies have found that supplementing with the right kind of vitamin E can lower your risk of developing this blinding eye condition, especially when combined with vitamin A. I recommend taking at least 50 mg of the tocotrienol form of vitamin E twice a day. - Take CoQ10. You already know how crucial CoQ10 is for your heart. But recent studies make it clear you should also be taking it for your eyes. That’s because CoQ10 can turbo-charge mitochondria, the tiny power generators in your cells. And high-energy organs like your eyes burn through a lot of CoQ10. The best food sources of CoQ10 come from the organs of free-range cattle and wild game. Sadly, we don’t eat these foods much anymore. Your next best sources are wild-caught fish and beef. But be sure your beef comes from grass-fed meat, which has much more CoQ10 than grain-fed, feedlot meat. You can also take supplements. I recommend at least 50 mg of the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 every day. - Supplement with the earth’s oldest tree. Ginkgo biloba boosts healthy blood circulation to your eyes and reduces inflammation. Studies show that supplementing with this herb improves the vision of people with glaucoma. That’s important because your risk factor for developing glaucoma increases every year. I recommend getting at least 50 mg a day to support your vision. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: 1. Eydelman M, et al. “Symptoms and Satisfaction of Patients in the Patient-Reported Outcomes with Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (PROWL) Studies.” JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017 Jan 1;135(1):13-22. 2. Larson J. “Investigation reveals several Lasik patients took their lives due to severe complications.” ABC 10 News San Diego. Jan 2019. 3. Demopoulos A. “The patients who regret laser eye surgery: ‘My life’s stood still since then. The Guardian. April 2023. Accessed on May 12, 2023. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3AXy3kE52PF) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States