Latest Global LASIK Scientific Literature Review Published
In 2009, the first global LASIK scientific literature review – entitled “LASIK World Literature Review – Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction” – was published. The study’s authors reviewed nearly 3,000 LASIK studies published between 1988 – 2008. The data reported on the procedure’s performance and safety supported an outstanding patient satisfaction rate (95.4%).
The same team now wanted to determine if modern LASIK has improved patient outcomes when compared to the technology first approved and reviewed. The authors embarked on a new review of worldwide LASIK scientific literature: more than 4,400 peer-reviewed clinical studies of LASIK vision correction safety and performance published worldwide between 2008-2015 were included in their effort. Their work involved examining whether modern LASIK – using the latest technologies and techniques – is safe and effective, if patients are getting the results they desire and if the results have improved over time.
Their findings, published in the July 2016 Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and entitled “Modern Laser in Situ Keratomileusis Outcomes,” found patients are experiencing better visual outcomes than ever before. This vast data pool also showed the procedure has improved over time and, with the advent of modern technology and techniques, is among the safest and most effective elective procedures available today. The LASIK scientific literature review also reports the global patient satisfaction rate has increased to more than 98 percent.
Kerry Solomon, M.D., director of the Carolina Eyecare Research Center and lead study author commented, “Our work underscores the fact there is a tremendous amount of research both supporting and advancing the science of LASIK; there is simply no questioning its excellence from a clinical perspective. We were impressed by how good the data was and that it was consistently good across many articles.”
Find the paper published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and read more about the study’s findings.