There have been several new studies focused on LASIK and LASIK outcomes. “Our patient satisfaction with refractive surgery has always been high and with these studies and results, are more positive proof that LASIK is a very safe and effective treatment for refractive errors”, says Dr. Darrell White at SkyVision Centers.
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The PROWL study is one of the most pivotal studies to date. Driven by the director of the FDA’s Division of Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices, Malvina Eydelman, MD, the PROWL study looks into the shift that has come about, into what a patient thinks about the procedure results and not just the clinical measurement of success. The study drilled down on what the patients think about the procedure. Patients revealed a lower prevalence of symptoms at 3 months postop as compared to preoperatively. This included a reduction in ghosting, glare, halos, and starbursts in both groups. Additionally, the prevalence of bothersome visual symptoms decreased, in some instances significantly. The main outcome was that patients with bothersome or very bothersome symptoms decreased after LASIK, said Steven Schallhorn, MD, San Diego, a presenting physician. The study looked into how much difficulty a patient was having doing daily activities because of visual symptoms, he said, and in every category, the number having difficulty was reduced after surgery.
Dry eye symptoms postop can be a factor. The PROWL study showed the incident of severe symptoms is reduced 3 to 6 months after LASIK compared to what has been previously thought. At SkyVision Centers, dry eye treatment is a practice focus. All LASIK evaluations include evaluating the corneal surface for dryness and for some patients the treatment of the cornea prior to LASIK has helped to alleviate moderate to severe dry eye symptoms postop. If a patient has dry eye prior to LASIK they are treated preoperatively as well as postop. Treatments for dry eye can be a number of things including prescription eye drops, artificial tears, warm compresses/lid scrubs, Omega-3 fatty acids or Lipiflow®.
In a Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery study of over 2500 patients that looked at patient –reported outcomes after 5 years of follow up, the rates were above 90% for satisfaction. Dr. White is very excited about the future of refractive surgery for patients and continues to be one of Northeast Ohio’s first to adopt new practices in treatment for the best possible outcomes.