LASIK Complications leave Woman with Chronic Pain and “Biggest Regret”
For months, Alex Mencos endured debilitating eye pain following LASIK surgery, a pain dismissed by multiple doctors as not being connected to the procedure. Her ordeal ultimately led to a diagnosis of corneal neuralgia, a condition she now manages with a complex regimen and shares with others online, warning them of potential risks.
Mencos’s problems began after undergoing LASIK surgery. She quickly developed symptoms including constant pain, burning, and a gritty sensation in her eyes. “I had to quit my job as I was in constant pain and I was desperately trying to find answers from any doctor who would listen. I would sleep the days away because the pain would lessen with my eyes closed,” she explained to Newsweek. Despite using heat compresses, over-the-counter and prescription eye drops, steroids, and undergoing numerous eye tests examining pressure, dryness, and vision, her condition didn’t improve. A chalazion further intricate the situation.
Frustrated by repeated assurances that her symptoms were normal, Mencos felt “gaslit” as her pain continued. Doctors consistently insisted her issues weren’t linked to the LASIK surgery, despite her experiencing “excruciating pain.”
Seeking answers, Mencos joined a Facebook support group for individuals experiencing LASIK complications. This ultimately led her to a specialist outside of her insurance network. This doctor was the first to validate her experience, diagnosing her with permanent nerve damage and suggesting she may not have been a suitable candidate for LASIK given her history of Stage 4 cancer.
“He was the first doctor to believe me and confirm that what I was experiencing was not normal,” Mencos said.Further testing confirmed a diagnosis of corneal neuralgia, a condition characterized by pain, light and air sensitivity, burning, and severe dryness. The American Academy of ophthalmologists acknowledges corneal pain as a potential, though rare, complication of LASIK and other eye surgeries.
Mencos now considers getting LASIK her “biggest regret,” stating she “would rather fight Stage 4 cancer again if it meant I could reverse my decision.” She has not accepted any financial compensation related to her experience.
The search for a diagnosis and ongoing management of her condition has cost Mencos over $20,000.Her current treatment plan includes autologous Serum Tears, twice-daily eyelid cleansing, heat masks, and dietary supplements.
Driven by a desire to inform others, Mencos now shares her story on TikTok (@lalexylifestyle), hoping to provide valuable information to those considering or experiencing LASIK complications. “Had I seen stories like my own, I would have been able to make a fully informed decision. I never would have gotten LASIK had I known,” she stated.
