Forum Post: Occupy Lasik

First, let me say I'm really thankful for everything everyone in the Occupy Movement is doing. Thanks to everyone.

One among many reasons why I feel solidarity with the Occupy Movement is that two years ago, my eyes were seriously damaged by Lasik, the laser eye procedure designed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. I know what it's like to be personally violated by a corporation—indeed, to have literal violence done to you by an institution willing to sacrifice your health in the pursuit of its own interests.

My personal story is long and tortuous, and I won't attempt to narrate it here. But suffice it to say that I was misled and taken advantage of by a privatized profession of doctors who are more concerned with profit than health.

And I'm not the only one. Although this problem isn't as widespread as many of the other social problems facing us today—and certainly there are many who are very happy with the results of Lasik—it remains a serious problem that as of right now lacks a powerful voice.

If you're interested in becoming more informed, please watch this short video produced by a Canadian documentary news organization earlier this year: http://www.globaltvbc.com/this+week+on+169+-+may+28+-+2020+hindsight/6442458423/story.html

I also encourage you to visit www.lasikcomplications.com and www.lifeafterlasik.com, where there is a growing community of people committed to challenging the dangerous power the lasik industry wields in today's society.

And if anyone has any ideas on how collectively we might be able to do more to challenge this industry and inform the public of its dangers, please share. Although the businessmen who operate the lasers are more refined and less baldly outrageous than the policemen who wield batons and wave pepper spray, in my opinion, they are no less pernicious.

Thank you for reading, and best wishes to all.

Brent Russo - Doctoral Candidate - UC Irvine