Calgary LASIK, Epi-LASIK, PRK: Patient Satisfaction
April 1, 2009 Ophthalmology Times reported on a study by Dr. Kerry Solomon on LASIK satisfaction.
Dr. Solomon was asked by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (www.ASCRS.org) to review the world literature in response to a US FDA inquiry into complaints by LASIK patients. It is estimated that over 16 million people have had laser vision correction worldwide. In 2006 the FDA initiated an inquiry based on concerns raised by a group of LASIK patients.
Dr. Solomon’s study identified 2,915 articles of which 309 were judged to be well designed. From these studies the data was pooled and analyzed. Satisfaction following LASIK was found to be 95% up to 6 months after surgery and 98.6% for questionnaires completed more than 6 months following LASIK. The most common reason for dissatisfaction was residual refractive error (a need for corrective lenses due to under correction, over correction, or regression). Some of these people may have been candidates for enhancement, and in studies that included people who had enhancements the satisfaction rate was higher. Other factors that lead to dissatisfaction after LASIK included dry eye and night vision symptoms.
LASIK involves cutting a corneal flap, lifting the flap, and performing the laser application on the underlying bed. Epi-LASIK and PRK are no-cut surface laser vision correction treatments that avoid the risks of creating a corneal flap and have been shown in many studies to have equally good or better results than LASIK. These surface treatments are safer than LASIK but do take longer to heal in the first days to weeks. Surface treatments like Epi-LASIK and PRK do not disrupt the corneal nerves as deeply and may be less likely to trigger a worsening of dry eye. With the use of CustomVue Wavefront treatment which corrects the individual higher order aberrations there may be less risk of significant permanent worsening of night vision.
For more information about laser vision correction or to book your free consultation, contact Western Laser Eye Associates today.
