Opinions Regarding Refractive Surgery and Contact Lens Use Among Eye Care Professionals
Purpose
To find potential confounding factors related to the seemingly limited use of laser vision correction (LVC) amongst eye care professionals and review part of the reasoning behind the referral patterns for refractive surgery based on physicians' and patients' previous experiences with the treatment modality. Comparison of trends in contact lens use and LVC were analyzed.
Methods
An online survey was circulated to Ophthalmologists and Optometrists throughout the country via various Ophthalmology and Optometry societies. We asked all of the subspecialty groups within Ophthalmology to participate and thereby look for trends amongst the various subspecialties on the research data. The survey implemented logic into the questions and generated different questions based on answer responses throughout the survey thereby only asking those questions that apply specifically to the current survey user. Statistical data was analyzed upon completion of the surveys. The survey remains open and we are expecting a large increase in responses upon distribution via ASCRS that is to be arranged shortly.
Results
We have collected the responses from 123 eye care professionals (94% Ophthalmologists) that practice in the US. 98% report that the family/friends/medical colleagues that received LVC are happy with their results. 90% of the eye care professionals that received LVC also promote its use to those people closest to them. 50% of the eye care professionals that knew more than 50 people that had received LVC reported getting LVC themselves. 91% endorse the use of contact lenses (with appropriate wear) but respondents also expected higher long term complication rates from contact lenses as opposed to LVC. When asked to choose between LVC and contacts as a long term vision correction method 55% chose LVC, 36% chose contacts, and 19% chose other.
Conclusion
The greater the exposure to LVC the greater the likelihood of recommending, performing, and receiving LVC. LVC has the highest satisfaction rate from any elective medical procedure. In order to increase the use of LVC amongst the masses will likely require increased patient education as well as updated learning materials for current Ophthalmologists to review the high success rate of LVC today and the reduced side effect profile using the most updated methods and materials.