Poll: Public uninformed about laser vision correction

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The public’s understanding of laser vision correction is not keeping pace with technological advances in the field, according to a Gallup poll released here at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

The survey of 1,000 people who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses and never had laser eye surgery showed that 73% know nothing about recent advances in the field, including wavefront technology. Sixty-seven percent said they know little or nothing about LASIK.

“These survey results are important because they show that people are not taking the right steps to stay informed or to make informed decisions about laser eye surgery,” said Andrew Caster, MD.

The poll also revealed that 86% of respondents who have considered LASIK appear to be waiting for a safer laser eye surgery procedure, and about one in five respondents are fearful of potential side effects or pain that they think can be associated with laser vision correction. Fifty-six percent of the people who have considered LASIK have not talked to a doctor about it.

“LASIK is a virtually painless procedure, but fears about side effects, such as glare, halos and night vision problems were significant concerns in the past,” said Dr. Caster. “Today, the potential for these unwanted side effects is significantly reduced because new wavefront-guided LASIK makes visual outcomes more predictable than with traditional LASIK.”

Results of the Gallup survey, which was commissioned by Alcon, were announced in a press release during the AAO meeting.