A woman in Chicago has shared her distressing experience following LASIK eye surgery, which resulted in permanent nerve damage. Alexis Mencos, 31, underwent the procedure in February 2021, hoping to correct her vision after battling stage 4 cancer. Instead, she has spent over $20,000 on treatments and medications to manage persistent burning sensations in her eyes, leading her to label the decision as her “biggest regret.”
Mencos chose to have LASIK at a LasikPlus clinic, investing $3,000 in what she thought would be a positive step for her health. She stated that she had “only heard success stories” about the surgery and felt reassured by medical professionals that any side effects would be temporary. “I was told all side effects would be temporary, and I believed I was making an investment in my health,” Mencos explained. “I had no idea what complications from LASIK could look like.”
Immediately after the surgery, Mencos noticed bruising and redness in her eyes, but was informed that these were normal reactions. Following the postoperative care instructions, she used prescribed eye drops and supplements. However, three months post-surgery, she began experiencing extreme dryness in her eyes, requiring frequent applications of drops with little relief.
LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea using a laser to correct vision, and according to the Mayo Clinic, over 80 percent of patients no longer need glasses or contact lenses afterward. Still, risks exist. A spokesperson for LasikPlus expressed concern over Mencos’ experience, stating that patients receive free post-operative care as part of the LasikPlus Lifetime Commitment. They highlighted a patient satisfaction rate exceeding 96 percent based on clinical data, while acknowledging that not everyone qualifies as a suitable candidate for the procedure.
Mencos struggled with constant pain, describing the sensation as if her eyes were perpetually burning. She developed a chalazion, a fluid-filled cyst, which compounded her discomfort. “Living in pain with a gritty sensation in my eyes was completely debilitating,” she said. Desperate for answers, Mencos visited multiple doctors, but many dismissed her symptoms as unrelated to the surgery.
“I felt gaslit for so long because it was clear that my eyes weren’t healthy,” Mencos recounted. Despite undergoing numerous tests and treatments, including over-the-counter and prescription eye drops, she found no relief.
Eventually, Mencos discovered a support group on Facebook for individuals experiencing LASIK complications. In her search for help, she sought the expertise of a doctor outside her insurance plan, who diagnosed her with permanent nerve damage. He informed her that she should not have qualified for LASIK due to her previous cancer history. “He was the first doctor to believe me and confirm that what I was experiencing was not normal,” Mencos noted.
Further evaluations revealed that she had developed corneal neuralgia, a condition that can result in severe pain and sensitivity to light, as well as chronic dry eyes. The American Academy of Ophthalmologists recognizes corneal pain as a rare complication of LASIK and other eye surgeries.
Reflecting on her decision, Mencos stated, “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.” To date, she has refused any compensation from LasikPlus, choosing instead to focus on managing her condition.
Currently, Mencos employs a regimen that includes Autologous Serum Tears, daily eyelid cleansing, heat masks, and dietary supplements. Now that she has clarity about her diagnosis, Mencos has taken to TikTok to share her experience and educate others facing similar challenges. “I always say I would rather fight stage 4 cancer again if it meant I could reverse my decision to get LASIK,” she emphasized, aiming to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with the surgery.
Mencos’ story underscores the importance of thorough research and informed decision-making when considering elective medical procedures.
