Patients who have been wearing contact lenses have made the choice to
minimize their dependence on eyeglasses, but still have many of the
inconvenient aspects of contact lens and care to contend with. For contact lens
wearers, the decision to have LASIK represents the desire to experience a
lifestyle and convenience with independence and freedom from the hassle of BOTH
glasses and contacts. But, how does
satisfaction with LASIK actually compare with contact lens wear? Researchers
reporting in the journal Ophthalmology assessed patient satisfaction and perceived outcomes of 1800
patients split into two groups-one continuing to wear contact lenses and the
other having LASIK, through annual surveys administered over a 3-year period.
Most contact lens users had worn them successfully ≥5 years. The proportion
expressing strong satisfaction with their current vision correction method
decreased from 63% at baseline to 54% at year 3 in the contact lens control
group, whereas 88% of former contact lens wearers and 77% of former glasses
wearers were strongly satisfied with LASIK at year 3. Patients 40 years of age
or younger when they had LASIK were somewhat more likely to be strongly
satisfied than older patients. LASIK significantly reduced difficulties with
night driving and nighttime visual disturbances among former contact lens users
and former glasses users. The proportion with dry eye symptoms at 1, 2, or 3
years after LASIK was not significantly increased relative to baseline contact
lens wear but was significantly increased relative to baseline glasses use,
consistent with many glasses users having tried and abandoned contact lenses
because of latent dry eye problems. Compared with continued contact lens wear,
LASIK significantly reduced the self-reported rates of eye infections, ulcers,
and abrasions each year.
The overall conclusions then were that compared with contact lens
wear, current LASIK technology improved ease of night driving, did not significantly
increase dry eye symptoms, and resulted in higher levels of satisfaction at 1,
2, and 3 years follow-up.
If you or someone you know is wearing glasses or contact lenses and
would like be free of the hassle they create for seeing clearly at distance,
please schedule a Free LASIK Consultation by calling us at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio
Eye Care, Google+ or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that
we can help.
D'Ambrosio
Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and
western Massachusetts with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike,
Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite 119, Leominster,
Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main
Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
01440.
