FACT: Myopia Typically Doesn’t Progress After Having LASIK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIMlasdD5gw
LASIK is a procedure that reshapes the cornea and, in doing so, provides fantastic uncorrected visual acuity. There are, though, some patients who may note a change in their vision at some point after their procedure. Did their LASIK actually “wear off”? No, this is not the case. As long as the person was a good candidate to begin with, and their measurements were precise, studies show that their cornea is likely very similar a few years after the procedure as it was just a few days after. Why then did their vision change? Instead of the LASIK “wearing off” it is more likely that another eye issue has developed. In a 5 year study of 779 eyes of 409 patients undergoing treatment of myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism, 90% of all patients achieved refractive stability within 1 D and 97% achieved refractive stability within 2 diopter. This means they achieved their goal and maintained their vision for the great majority of the time. There were only 10 patients in that large study who had a greater than 2 line vision change within 5 years of initial treatment, and these patient had all developed other eye issues; age related cataracts, dry eyes and macular degeneration.
In summary, as long as someone is a good LASIK candidate; pre-operative selection criteria is respected, and measurements are precise, the outcomes of LASIK are very stable long term.
5-Year Myopia Results Prove LASIK Safe & Effective
LASIK for myopia/myopic astigmatism safe & effective with minimal regression over 5-year period
Patient Satisfaction Support Modern LASIK
67,893 eyes in 97 articles between 2008 and 2015 were evaluated
Uncorrected Vision Strongest Indicator Patient Satisfaction
Patient satisfaction with modern LASIK results support the safety and efficacy of the procedure.
Title: LASIK Proven Safe and Effective 5-Years after Surgery
Article: “Five-Year Outcome fo LASIK for Myopia“
Authors: Kato, N, Toda I, Hori-Komai Y, Sakai C, Tsubota K.
Précis: This observational study shows LASIK to be safe and effective with minimal regression over a five-year period. Investigators evaluated 779 eyes in 402 patients who were treated with LASIK surgery for myopia or myopia with astigmatism. Postoperative exams at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after LASIK were performed.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17900692
Keywords: LASIK, Patient Satisfaction
Title: Patient Satisfaction Appear Better with Modern LASIK
Article: “Modren Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis Outcomes“
Authors: Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T, Lindstrom RL, Potvin R, Tremblay DM, Solomon KD.
Précis: The authors studied the clinically reported outcomes of 67,893 eyes from 97 relevant articles between 2008 and 2015. Authors support impressions that the aggregate outcomes appear better than outcomes reported in summaries of safety and effectiveness for refractive surgery systems approved by FDA, concluding patient satisfaction with modern LASIK results support the safety and efficacy of the procedure.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27531300
Keywords: LASIK, Patient Satisfaction
Title: Uncorrected Vision Strongest Predictor of Patient Satisfaction
Article: “Patient-reported outcomes 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis“
Authors: Steve C Schallhorn, DM, Jan A Venter, MD, David Teenan, MD, Stephen J Hannan, OD, Keith A Hettinger, MS, Martina Pelouskova, MSc, Julie M. Schllahorn, MD
Précis: 4937 eyes in 2530 patients who had LASIK were evaluated 5 years postoperatively. 79% were within ±0.50 D of emmetropia, 77.7% achieved monocular UDVA, while 90.6% achieved binocular UDVA of 20/20 or better. 91.0% of patients said they were satisfied with their vision. 94.9% of patients did not wear distance correction. and fewer than 2.0% reported a visual phenomena, even when aided by spectacle correction. Authors concluded uncorrected vision was the strongest predictor of patient satisfaction and that satisfaction rates remained high 5 years after LASIK.
Abstract: https://www.jcrsjournal.org/article/S0886-3350(16)30135-3/fulltext
Keywords: LASIK, Patient Satisfaction, Patient-Reported Outcomes