US trends in refractive surgery: 2003 ISRS/AAO survey

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Vision Correction Technology

Background:

• Refractive surgery has become a mainstream ophthalmology procedure.
• Continuous advancements necessitate tracking current trends and technologies.
• Understanding procedural preferences and technology adoption is crucial for the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the latest trends in refractive surgery within the United States in 2003.
• To analyze the adoption and preference of various refractive surgery techniques and technologies.
• To document shifts in surgical practices and patient management.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to U.S. members of the International Society of Refractive Surgery.
• The survey collected data on surgical volumes, procedure types, and technology usage in 2003.
• Specific procedures and technologies examined included LASIK, PRK, phakic intraocular lenses, and wavefront analyzers.

Main Results:

• Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was the dominant procedure for refractive errors between -8.00 and +3 diopters.
• Phakic intraocular lenses (PIOL) and clear lens extractions (CLE) are utilized for specific refractive errors (high myopia and hyperopia, respectively).
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, LASEK, CLE, PIOL, and conductive keratoplasty (CK) show positive future outlooks, while RK, ICR, LTK, and SE are declining.

Conclusions:

• Refractive surgery continues to evolve, with LASIK leading current trends.
• Emerging technologies and procedures indicate a dynamic future for vision correction.
• This survey highlights ongoing shifts in ophthalmological practices regarding refractive surgery.