Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism

Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan-Mar;22(1):108-14. doi: 10.4103/0974-9233.148359.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate subjective quality of vision and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and myopic astigmatism.

Patients and methods: A self-administered patient questionnaire consisting 29 items was prospectively administered to LASIK patients at the Yemen Magrabi Hospital. Seven scales covering specific aspects of the quality of vision were formulated including; global satisfaction; quality of uncorrected and corrected vision; quality of night vision; glare; daytime driving and; night driving. Main outcome measures were responses to individual questions and scale scores and correlations with clinical parameters. The scoring scale ranged from 1 (dissatisfied) to 3 (very satisfied) and was stratified in the following manner: 1-1.65 = dissatisfied; 1.66-2.33 = satisfied and; 2.33-3 = very satisfied. Data at 6 months postoperatively are reported.

Results: This study sample was comprised of 200 patients (122 females: 78 males) ranging in age from 18 to 46 years old. The preoperative myopic sphere was - 3.50 ± 1.70 D and myopic astigmatism was 0.90 ± 0.82 D. There were 96% of eyes within ± 1.00 D of the targeted correction. Postoperatively, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 99% of eyes. The mean score for the overall satisfaction was 2.64 ± 0.8. A total of 98.5% of patients was satisfied or very satisfied with their surgery, 98.5% considered their main goal for surgery was achieved. Satisfaction with uncorrected vision was 2.5 ± 0.50. The main score for glare was 1.98 ± 0.7 at night. Night driving was rated more difficult preoperatively by 6.2%, whereas 79% had less difficulty driving at night.

Conclusion: Patient satisfaction with uncorrected vision after LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism appears to be excellent and is related to the residual refractive error postoperatively.

Keywords: Laser In Situ Keratomileusis; Myopia; Patient Satisfaction; Refractive Surgery; Yemen.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Astigmatism / physiopathology
  • Astigmatism / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ*
  • Lasers, Excimer / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myopia / physiopathology
  • Myopia / surgery*
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Prospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / physiology