Refractive Surgery Survey 2001

Abstract

In February 2001, a questionnaire on the practice of refractive surgery was sent worldwide to all 8196 members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery; 1511 responses (18.4%) were received. Although laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was the most common refractive procedure reported, phakic intraocular lenses, clear lens extraction, and photorefractive keratectomy were also widespread. Nineteen percent of the respondents said they had had refractive surgery, and that group reported performing significantly more procedures than those who had not had a refractive procedure (P < .0001). The most common complication of LASIK was dry eyes, occurring in more than half of the cases in one fourth of the practices; however, only 30% of surgeons said they perform a Schirmer test before surgery. High-volume surgeons reported seeing fewer cases of flap striae (P = .002) and slipped flaps (P = .02) than low-volume surgeons. Seventy-seven percent said that wavefront LASIK ablation will increase the quality of vision and of those already performing wavefront ablation, 92% stated they believe it will improve outcomes.