Ten most-read refractive surgery articles of 2017

The refractive surgery articles that dominated news feeds in 2017 included study results comparing different types of surgery and insight into pain for patients.

Here are the top 10 most-read refractive surgery stories as reported on Healio.com/OSN this year:

1. Topical treatment for presbyopia improves binocular near acuity

EV06 ophthalmic solution (lipoic acid choline ester 1.5%, Encore Vision/Novartis) improved bilateral distance-corrected near vision compared with placebo in the 3-month, prospective, randomized, double-masked multicenter study. Read more.

2. Correlations between risk factors and haze after PRK identified

A large cohort study investigating factors associated with the development of haze after PRK found significant correlations with hyperopia, high myopia and high astigmatism. Longer mitomycin C application and laser removal of the epithelium rather than alcohol debridement, however, may have a beneficial effect on haze prevention. Read more.

3. Near vision can be optimized with scleral micro-inserts

Excimer laser enhancements can be performed to improve results in eyes with residual refractive error after scleral micro-insert surgery for presbyopia correction. Read more.

4. Latest LASIK platforms boost patient-reported outcomes

A meta-analysis of FDA patient-reported outcomes showed significant improvement in night vision and driving after LASIK with three of the latest FDA-approved laser platforms. Patient satisfaction was high, and dry eye was mild and transient. Read more.

5. Patients with presbyopia or nonfunctioning lens may benefit from clear lens surgery

Clear lens surgery may be a better option for patients with presbyopia or a nonfunctional lens than PRK, LASIK or phakic IOL surgery. Read more.

6. Novel cross-linking application for low myopia shows promise

Photorefractive intrastromal cross-linking, or PiXL, is a novel treatment option that appears promising for low-grade myopia. Read more.

7. LASIK called safest, most successful elective procedure in the world

The latest peer-reviewed meta-analysis of worldwide scientific literature for LASIK shows the satisfaction rate for the procedure is up to 98% and nearly 90% of patients achieve 20/20 vision. Read more.

8. Refractive cataract surgeons need to better understand quality of vision over visual acuity

Daniel H. Chang, MD, discusses the need for surgeons to better understand patients’ quality of vision to give their patients confidence while going through the neuroadaptation process after refractive cataract surgery. Watch video.

9. Patients report less pain, discomfort with epi-Bowman keratectomy

In a pilot study, 50 eyes of 25 myopic patients underwent epi-Bowman keratectomy (EBK) with the Epi Clear device (Orca Surgical) compared with 50 eyes that underwent a laser scrape. Read more.

10. SMILE a competitive option for refractive correction

Refractive results and corneal integrity with small incision lenticule extraction are on par with those of LASIK, according to a speaker who recounted his experience with the minimally invasive procedure. Read more.