Posters

Evaluation of long-term patient satisfaction following LASIK refractive surgery

Poster Details

First Author: N. Quesnel CANADA

Co Author(s):    C. Ferremi   M. Boileau   M. Podtetenev   L. Lalonde   M. Gervais   M. Maltais     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To document the level of satisfaction and visual outcomes of non-presbyopic patients more than a year (between 18 and 30 months) after Lasik refractive surgery with the Zeiss Meditec Mel 80 Excimer laser. To test for a correlation between satisfaction levels and visual outcomes or ocular symptoms.

Setting:

Iris Ophthalmology Clinic and Focus Vision Laser Vision Surgery Clinic, Quebec, Canada

Methods:

This retrospective study included only non presbyopic patients selected according to their date of surgery (before May 2013) using the databases of both clinic. To subjectively evaluate satisfaction and visual symptoms, patients answered a questionnaire (sent by mail) consisting of 14 multiple choice questions related to their satisfaction, visual symptoms, quality of vision and their need to wear glasses or contact lenses. Postoperative ametropias, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at far were computed. The SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

The response rate was 29% (51/175). At the last visual assessment, the mean spherical equivalent for the right eye was -0.135 ± 0,255D and ± -0,048D 0,292D for the left eye. Overall satisfaction rate was 96% and 79% of patients reported that they are very satisfied. A significant association between the occurrence of visual symptoms (glare, difficulty in night vision or dry eye) and the satisfaction could not be established by the chi-square test (p=0,9320) as the number of dissatisfied patients was too low. None of the participants used visual correction and only 2,08% of patients reported significant dryness symptoms.

Conclusions:

In this group of patients, at least 18 months after Lasik, the high satisfaction level is similar to the one reported in shorter term by previous studies. Moreover, the vast majority of patients (98%) would not hesitate to do it again. Further studies should include longer follow-up time and more patients to better document the relationship between satisfaction and pre surgery ametropia or postoperative visual outcomes.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE