(ARA) – Whether it is seeing the alarm clock immediately upon waking up, improved vision while driving or playing sports, or the ability to see family members more clearly, patients are realizing the everyday benefits of laser eye surgery.
Laser eye surgery offers more than improved vision. This procedure is helping individuals focus on a whole new life. Approximately 3 million Americans have had laser eye surgery since 1997. A recent survey demonstrates high patient satisfaction, improved daily routine and overall quality of life.
Dr. Helena Karlberg, a laser eye surgery patient from Houston, Texas, noticed dramatic improvement in both her professional and personal life after having the procedure. Laser eye surgery has truly simplified my life. I am a pediatric anesthesiologist and my job requires me to be very precise, so I really couldnt afford anything but optimal vision in my job, she said. I decided to have LASIK because I also wanted to be able to enjoy recreational activities such as scuba diving, skiing and rollerblading without the hassle of my glasses.
LASIK is a form of eye surgery that is designed to improve vision and lessen the need for corrective eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses. A laser is used to permanently change the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye. The procedure is relatively fast and often painless, and can be performed by an ophthalmologist within approximately 30 minutes. The first national quality of life survey, conducted by the Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC the public education arm of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS assessed life implications for laser eye surgery patients. The survey results show that 85 percent of respondents said the procedure improved their overall quality of life and 93 percent said they were satisfied with the results of their surgery.
The survey also found that laser eye surgery patients find sports much more enjoyable because worries about broken glasses, dry eyes and lost contacts are eliminated. Patients reported that being able to scuba dive, play golf or bicycle without the hassle of corrective lenses is a major benefit of the procedure.
Other patients are finding that laser eye surgery has made everyday tasks and daily routines more worry free. They reported being more confident in their driving skills because they can read road signs and see other cars with a new clarity. Improvements in personal safety, confidence in personal appearance and capacity to do a job or progress in a career were also reported.
Together with the ESECs recently updated LASIK Screening Guidelines for Patients, these survey findings will help patients considering laser eye surgery to assess the overall benefits and risks of the surgery and make an informed decision about undergoing the procedure. For additional information about laser eye surgery guidelines and the latest technology related to this surgery, log on to www.eyesurgeryeducation.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
EDITORS NOTE: The Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC) is an initiative established by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS a professional society of ophthalmologists dedicated to raising the standards and skills of surgeons, who operate on the anterior (front) segment of the eye, through clinical education, and to work with patients, government, and the medical community to promote delivery of quality eye care. The ESEC, which is committed to helping patients make informed decisions about undergoing laser eye surgery, has two missions – to provide patients with accurate, accessible information, and to promote active physician/patient discussion about the benefits and risks of laser eye surgery procedures.
SIDEBAR:
Facts at a Glance
Key findings from laser eye surgery survey
* Nine in ten (93 percent) patients reported satisfaction with the results of the procedure
* 85 percent of those surveyed reported an improvement in overall quality of life
* 87 percent of respondents reported that the results of the surgery met or exceeded their expectations
* 86 percent felt they were well informed about the risks of laser eye surgery before treatment
* Nine out of ten (89 percent) respondents reported an improvement in daily routine as a result of the surgery, including the following significant changes in day-to-day lifestyle:
* Ability to see upon waking (seeing an alarm clock) (89 percent)
* Freedom from glasses and contacts (83 percent)
* Reduced physical discomfort associated with eyeglasses or contacts (77 percent)
