Posted by: Clear Vision Cataract & LASIK Center

A Compassionate Perspective on a Sensitive Topic

At Clear Vision Center, we believe in open, honest conversations—especially about topics that are difficult or emotionally charged. One of those topics is the concern surrounding LASIK eye surgery and mental health, particularly in light of rare but widely publicized reports of suicide in patients who experienced complications. We want to approach this subject with empathy and respect, while providing a framework of scientific truth. If you’re a patient considering LASIK, or someone supporting a loved one through this decision, it’s important that you hear the facts about the safety of LASIK, and not just the fear-driven headlines on social media.

What We Know: LASIK, Suicide, and the Data

There have been isolated, high-profile reports in the media involving individuals who sadly took their own lives after LASIK surgery. These stories often receive significant attention, sparking difficult questions. But these events, though tragic, are not supported by evidence to suggest a causal link. In 2022–2023, the suicide rate in the United States was approximately 14 deaths per 100,000 people per year. Suicide is complex—rooted in mental illness, substance use, trauma, social isolation, and more. It’s never caused by a single factor. Meanwhile, more than 20 million people worldwide have undergone LASIK, with a satisfaction rate over 96% according to FDA studies. The FDA’s PROWL (Patient-Reported Outcomes With LASIK) studies and similar European datasets found no evidence that LASIK increases psychological distress or suicide risk.

Fact: No high-quality, peer-reviewed studies have shown an increased suicide rate in LASIK patients compared to the general population.

Additional Perspective: If over 800,000 LASIK procedures are performed in the U.S. each year, statistics alone would predict dozens of patients would die by suicide annually—simply by coincidence. The fact that only a handful of LASIK-related cases have surfaced in the media suggests the actual rate is lower than expected, not higher.

How High-Profile Tragedies Can Distort Perception

In recent years, the suicide of a well-known public figure in the Detroit area shortly after undergoing vision correction surgery received widespread attention. The emotional impact on our community was deep and understandable. But celebrity suicides tend to receive outsized coverage, which can unintentionally mislead the public about the circumstances involved. This is a case where emotion and visibility outweighed statistical reality—much like how we react to a plane crash. When one occurs, it makes headlines and stirs deep emotions. But deep down we understand that flying remains one of the safest ways to travel. We don’t stop flying—we recognize that tragic outliers don’t define the whole picture. An isolated heartbreaking story should not reshape how we view a procedure that has brought clarity and confidence to millions.

A Broader Reality: Suicide After Other Medical Procedures

Tragically, suicide has also followed complications from many other common surgeries, including back surgery, cosmetic procedures, and joint replacements. These situations often involve chronic pain, anxiety, or life disruptions—but again, the link is rarely singular. What this tells us is important: suicide is a broader mental health crisis, not a LASIK-specific outcome. These cases do not mean the surgeries were negligent or unsafe—they reflect the complexities of physical and emotional healing, as well as the confluence of other factors we discussed earlier.

Putting LASIK Risk in Perspective

All medical decisions carry some degree of risk. But LASIK, when performed by qualified professionals using modern technology, is one of the safest elective procedures available today.

Consider this:

  • Over 800,000 LASIK procedures are performed annually in the USA, and over 20 Million LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide over the past 30 years. Modern LASIK centers like Clear Vision Center typically report a greater than 99% success rate, with an extremely low complication rate. Statistically, LASIK remains one of the safest medical procedure performed in the world.
  • Wearing contact lenses long-term carries a 3x greater risk of serious eye infection than LASIK.
  • The risk of severe chronic corneal pain (neuralgia) after LASIK is estimated at 0.01%–0.3%—10X lower than the lifetime odds of dying in a car crash.

These aren’t scare tactics—they’re perspective tools. When properly screened, educated, and supported, LASIK is a remarkably low-risk, high-reward decision. Given the vast number of LASIK procedures done each year, there will certainly be outlier complications. No medical procedure is risk-free, and those who are not willing to accept some risk of a complication with their elective procedure should not choose to have the procedure.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

We never dismiss the concerns of patients who experience one of the rare complications of LASIK. Dry eyes, glare, or halos can be frustrating. But they are typically short-term, manageable, and treatable. For the rare few who do experience lingering symptoms, including chronic eye pain, the doctors at Clear Vision Center or any other reputable board-certified eye care physician’s office will offer comprehensive diagnostic tools, advanced dry eye therapy, and personalized care that frequently can help improve these symptoms. If you had your procedure at a LASIK center where your surgeon is not listening to your concerns: there is still hope—and there are solutions—you just need to know where to look.

The Double-Edged Sword of Online Support Communities

Online forums can provide support—but they can also become echo chambers. On unmoderated LASIK forums or subreddits, vulnerable patients may be exposed to a steady stream of fear-based narratives, worst-case scenarios, and misinformation. This can intensify anxiety or trigger self-harm, especially when users are struggling without professional input. Online voices can be powerful, but they do not replace your surgeon, optometrist, or mental health provider. If you’re struggling, seek real-world help from a board-certified physician (ophthalmologist) or optometrist who specializes in caring for LASIK complications.

A Word to Those Who Are Struggling

If you’re experiencing depression, hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide—whether related to LASIK, health issues, or any life challenge—please reach out:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

At Clear Vision Center, our job is not just to improve vision—it’s to care for the person behind the eyes. If you’re worried about your symptoms or unsure what’s next, we’re here to listen, support, and help you find a solution to with confidence. We accept patients for consultation who’ve already had surgery and are struggling, and have tools and team available that just might help you get your situation manageable again.

Final Thoughts: Compassion and Clarity

LASIK is one of the most studied, refined, and life-enhancing procedures available today. Tragic outcomes, while rare, do not negate the overwhelming evidence of its safety and effectiveness. Fear spreads fast. So does misinformation. But if you’re making a medical decision, choose facts, context, and support. Let us help you see clearly—in every sense of the word.

If you or someone you love is thinking about LASIK, we’re here to answer your questions with compassion, clarity, and respect. Call 248-710-2325 to schedule your consultation with a board-certified ophthalmologist with over 20 years of experience caring for people like you.