Who Is Right For Laser Eye Surgery?

Physician group defines ideal candidate with new guidelines.

People considering the laser eye surgery procedure LASIK now have a simple way to help determine whether they should have the procedure, or whether they should wait.

The Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC), an initiative from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), has just released patient guidelines defining the 'ideal,' 'less than ideal,' or 'non' LASIK candidates. These detailed guidelines clearly outline what patients should expect from the procedure -- from descriptions of tests that should be included in a pre-LASIK screening examination to realistic outcomes.

"These guidelines will help patients to understand whether or not LASIK is right for them, what they should expect from their doctor, and the procedure," said Dr. Roger Steinert, ESEC chair, associate clinical professor of ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston. "LASIK is a surgical procedure, performed by a medical doctor, and as with all surgeries, the decision to undergo laser eye surgery should not be taken lightly."

The ESEC, and in turn these guidelines, were developed in response to an alarming lack of public knowledge of laser eye surgery. A recent national survey conducted by Harris Interactive showed many people are unaware of even basic laser eye surgery truths. For example, nearly half of those surveyed did not recognize that an ideal LASIK patient exists, believing that anyone with imperfect vision is a strong candidate. Other key findings were:

* While one in three Americans who wear glasses or contact lenses have considered laser eye surgery, nearly the same number did not realize that the surgery is performed by a medical doctor -- a fundamental fact.

* One in four respondents (23 percent) thought that laser eye surgery is a cosmetic -- not medical -- procedure.

"This survey was a real wake up call for us. As surgeons, we have become increasingly aware that when it comes to laser eye surgery, consumer knowledge is alarmingly low," explained ASCRS president, Dr. Marguerite McDonald, clinical professor of ophthalmology, Tulane University, New Orleans. "The mission of the Eye Surgery Education Council is to combat misconceptions about LASIK, and to provide patients with the tools they need to educate themselves."

LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery in the United States, performed 1.5 million times each year. It has been proven to be a safe and effective procedure with many patients achieving 20/20 vision or better. Recently, however, risks related to LASIK have become a more public concern.

"We've recently seen a lot of misinformation on LASIK complications. In reality, sight-threatening complications are extremely rare," said Dr. Steinert. "The key is for patients to develop a clear understanding of risks, benefits and probable outcomes, and to feel comfortable that their decision to have LASIK is an informed one."

For more information about laser eye surgery, LASIK guidelines or to receive a print copy of an educational brochure, interested consumers should call (800) 536-ESEC or log onto eyesurgeryeducation.com.