The results of a 15-year literature review of LASIK surgeries in the United States shows that the vast majority of patients are satisfied with the procedure. Here are some of the study findings:
· 94% of patients participating in major trials across the country have at least 20/20 vision following surgery.
· Nearly all patients would recommend the procedure to a friend.
· Most cases of dissatisfaction could be resolved with more patient education before surgery:
o About 25% of patients experience problems with night vision in the first few weeks after surgery, but these issues usually resolve within a few months.
o Another source of dissatisfaction is due to the fact that the procedure cannot be used to correct both far and near sightedness in those over age 40. Again, these issues can be resolved with adequate pre-operative education.
o Some studies found diminished contrast sensitivity after surgery, although this generally returned to pre-operative levels within six months.
Clinical Study Results:
Bausch & Lomb WAVEFRONT:
In the clinical study conducted for the Bausch & Lomb Technolas® WAVEFRONT System for Personalized Vision Correction, several measures of the safety and effectiveness of the device in LASIK treatments for myopia up to -12.00 Diopters (Canada) and up to - 9.00 Diopters of astigmatism (Canada) were evaluated. Overall, the key outcomes surpassed the values recommended by the FDA in their Excimer laser guidance document. The principal results reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) six months for all treated eyes after surgery are presented here. Click here for B&L Results (FDA).
The following papers were presented at the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Symposium and Congress held in May 2001 in San Diego. The newly discovered protocols pioneered at LASIK Eye Centres allowed for the actuarial statistical analysis of more than 100,000 procedures. This was the basis for the largest controlled cohort studies that have ever been generated in the field.
The mission of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) is to raise the standards and skills of anterior segment surgeons through clinical and practice management education and to work with patients, government and the medical community to promote delivery of quality eye care.
To read about the purpose, methods, and results of each study, download the abstracts, by clicking here.