Patient-Reported Satisfaction With LASIK and Contact Lenses
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
The purpose was to evaluate patient satisfaction and quality of life with 2 popular vision-correction methods, contact lenses and LASIK.
Methods
This prospective study enrolled subjects between 18 and 60 years old who planned to have LASIK (n=1153) as well as successful contact lens wearers who continued using contact lenses for vision correction (n=746). Subjects completed a vision satisfaction survey at baseline (before surgery for the LASIK group) and 1 year later. The baseline results were reported previously; this report focuses on how responses changed between baseline and 1 year.
Results
The 1-year survey response rate was 66%. In the Contacts group, responses were comparable at baseline and 1 year. The proportion reporting moderate to severe difficulty with night driving decreased from 14% before to 7% after LASIK. The proportion reporting dry eye sensation half to all of the time increased from 10% to 13% after LASIK. The rate of corneal abrasions and infections was significantly reduced in the LASIK group. Satisfaction was high in both groups; 97% of LASIK patients and 96% of contact lens wearers would recommend their vision correction method to friends or family.
Conclusion
Satisfaction levels are very high with both contact lenses and LASIK. After LASIK, the proportion of patients with dry eye sensation increased while the proportion reporting difficulties with night driving and the incidence of corneal abrasions and infections decreased significantly.