SACRAMENTO, May 4, 2006 /PRNEWSWIRE/ The probability of getting
a good result from Lasik and similar eye surgery to reduce the need
for glasses has significantly improved, reports the Council for
Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (USAEyes),
a nonprofit patient advocacy that evaluates patient outcomes and
certifies Lasik doctors. The positive change is attributed to improved
technology, refined techniques, new procedures, and better patient
selection.
USAEyes concluded that 90% of patients achieved 20/40
vision or better – good enough to drive without glasses – and 65%
achieved 20/20 vision, after a review of US Food and Drug Administration
clinical trials, peer-reviewed data, and individual patient outcomes.
"We feel our numbers represent the overall norm,” says Glenn
Hagele, Executive Director of USAEyes. “Some studies show
as much as 98% with 20/20 vision or better, but these tend to be
a subgroup with a low prescription and only Lasik patients.” The
USAEyes analysis included nearsighted, farsighted, all available
types of refractive surgery including laser and lens implants, and
all types of patients.
Approximately 3% of patients had some sort of unresolved complication
at six months after surgery, with 0.5% being serious problems requiring
extensive maintenance or invasive correction. Dry eye symptoms are
the most often reported difficulty. “The severity of complications
has improved,” according to Hagele. “Long-term studies indicate
that some of these problems resolve later, however we only evaluated
results at six months after surgery.”
Hagele cautions actual results may vary. “This analysis is an
excellent general guideline, however every person’s vision is unique
and upon examination an individual may have a higher or lower than
normal probability for success.”
