@hutchhayden: I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’m genuinely curious what optometrists think. We’re often very critical of elective procedures like eye-color-changing surgery because they alter a healthy eye for a cosmetic reason and can carry SERIOUS risks. But why is laser vision correction treated differently? LVC can lead to persistent dry eye, neuropathic corneal pain, visual disturbances, ectasia, etc. Some numbers worth considering: 52% decline in U.S. laser procedure volume since 2022, according to a 2026 STAAR Surgical report. 16.1% of LASIK eyes had documented postoperative dry eye disease in a 2026 IRIS Registry study. 10.5% of LASIK eyes developed neuropathic corneal pain in a small 2025 prospective study of 100 eyes undergoing LASIK or SMILE. I’m not saying the risks are identical. I’m genuinely asking why we seem to apply such different standards to elective eye surgery, as someone who had LVC and is studying optometry. People have the right to choose what they want, but why does there seem to be a major lack of vocalized concern for LVC? Where do you think we should draw the line? #optometry #lasik #fyp

Hayden H | OD 1
Hayden H | OD 1
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Sunday 13 September 2026 21:17:25 GMT
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ememvyy
Emmy :
Im just the tech 🤷‍♀️
2026-09-14 14:55:28
0
user445078265
don’t worry about it :
risk/benefit ratio is wildly different between the two
2026-09-13 21:57:31
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rockinraexo
Rae :
I am definitely open with my patients that I don’t recommend any elective procedure as the risks do not outweigh the benefits in my opinion. A lot of them come to me asking if they are a “good candidate” and I tell them I cannot answer that as I don’t support elective eye procedures! I explain the risks and if they still want to go forward that’s fine, but I share my peace. I usually give the comparison of asking your primary care doctor if you’re a good candidate for plastic surgery, they aren’t going to say yes and likely won’t recommend it to anyone without mentioning risks either. Have you watched the documentary Caterpillar on Netflix, I know it only focuses on cosmetic color change but I think that brings the conversation of elective procedures forward
2026-09-14 13:38:35
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another.tiktok.nick
CringeVibes :
I’d like to see your source for the 100 eye prospective study of 10.5% neuropathic corneal pain.
2026-09-13 23:14:50
1
samaanthapaigeee
samantha :
I haven’t seen the og video, but i don’t think they would do an iris prosthetic surgery just to change his iris color as it raises the risk more then it would actually benefit. I’ve worked with many doctors & they wouldn’t do a surgery if it couldn’t benefit the patient in seeing better/lowering symptoms. He could have had aniridia & got iris prosthetic’s to help with photophobia. As for LASIK I had it done 3 years ago & have had no corneal issues since, & i’ve talked to multiple people & haven’t had an issues with LASIK or PRK. Would I recommend LASIK to someone my age? Probably, but I’d make sure they understand once they hit presbyopia, they could lose their near vision & that isn’t something that is discussed.
2026-09-15 00:48:30
0
hannahfindsok
Hannahfindsok :
[Crying][Crying][Crying]
2026-09-13 21:28:50
0
another.tiktok.nick
CringeVibes :
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has been very vocal about keratopigmentation, the fact that it has not been well studied, potentially dangerous, and not approved. You’ll always have cowboys in any profession that toe the line of doing the right thing. I cant imagine there are any, or very very few, ODs that actually support this procedure.
2026-09-13 23:34:14
2
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