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Uncorrected vision strongest predictor of satisfaction 5 years post LASIK
Satisfaction in LASIK patients 5 years after surgery remained high, according to a study in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Researchers found that ocular discomfort symptoms were comparable to that in the population of patients who did not have refractive surgery.
The retrospective study involved 2,530 LASIK patients with a mean age of 42.4 years. Preoperative manifest spherical equivalent ranged from -11.0 D to +4.88 D.
Five years postoperatively, 79.3% of eyes were within ± 0.50 D of emmetropia, 77.7% of eyes achieved monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UVDA), and 90.6% achieved binocular UDVA of 20/20 or better, according to the study.
A total of 91% of patients said they were satisfied with their vision, and 94.9% did not wear distance correction.
According to the study, the major predictors of patient satisfaction 5 years later were postoperative binocular UDVA, visual phenomena, preoperative and postoperative sphere and their interactions, and vision-related difficulties with activities such as night driving, outdoor activities and reading.
“Success of a refractive procedure cannot be assessed only by clinical parameters such as refractive error or achieved visual acuity,” researchers said.
They concluded that evaluating a patient’s perception of surgical outcome and the effect the procedure has on patient lifestyle are both critically important. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Schallhorn is a consultant to Abbott Medical Optics, Zeiss Meditec and Autofocus and a global medical director for Optical Express. The other authors report no relevant financial disclosures.