Morris Waxler, Former FDA Official Who Led LASIK Approval, Dies at 88

Morris Waxler, who previously served as an official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and led the team responsible for approving LASIK eye surgery, died on January 2, 2026, at the age of 88.

Waxler played a key role in the regulatory process for LASIK, a laser-based procedure for correcting vision, when the FDA granted approval for the technology in 1998. His involvement in the approval process marked a significant point in the adoption of laser-assisted eye surgeries in the United States.

Years after the initial approval, Waxler submitted a citizen petition to the FDA in 2011. In this petition, he requested that the agency withdraw its approvals for LASIK devices and issue a public health advisory that included a voluntary recall of the devices.

The FDA reviewed Waxler's petition and, after approximately 30 months, issued an eight-page document denying the requests made in his submission. This response maintained the agency's existing position on the use of LASIK devices at that time.

What the numbers show

• Waxler died at age 88 on January 2, 2026
• LASIK received FDA approval in 1998
• Waxler submitted his petition to the FDA in 2011
• The FDA denied the petition about 30 months after submission
• Waxler cited complication rates of 10% to 30% in public statements

Following his departure from the FDA, Waxler publicly stated that he considered the approval of LASIK to be a mistake. He referenced reports of long-term vision distortions and estimated that complication rates ranged between 10% and 30% for the procedure.

Waxler's petition to the FDA included requests for both the withdrawal of device approvals and the issuance of a public health advisory. The FDA's denial of the petition was formalized in a detailed response document.

Throughout his later years, Waxler continued to express concerns about the safety of LASIK. His actions included both formal submissions to regulatory authorities and public statements regarding his views on the risks associated with the procedure.

Waxler's involvement in the regulatory history of LASIK and his subsequent efforts to challenge its continued approval were documented in various media reports and regulatory filings. His death marks the end of a career that included both the facilitation and later criticism of a widely used medical technology.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.