Opinions on corrective refractive surgery

To investigate public perception that ophthalmologists are hesitant to undergo refractive surgery by determining the personal opinions of ophthalmologists on different surgical options.

Prospective cross-sectional survey.

Members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery electronic mailing list.

An online survey administered from July to August 2014.

There were 396 (5.7%) respondents: 204 (51.5%) would undergo laser refractive surgery (LRS) and 192 (48.5%) would not. Of the 228 (57.6%) with refractive error, 121 (53.1%) would have LRS, with 83 (36.4%) already having had the procedure done. Top reasons against LRS include existing contraindications, worry about intolerable side effects, and worry about complications. 179 (45.3%) would undergo lenticular refractive surgery (lenRS), with 22 (12.3%) having already had this done. Among those who said yes, most preferred a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL; 59 [33.0%]), whereas those who said no thought Toric IOLs to be superior (82 [38.0%]). 184 (46.6%) would undergo femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS); the main reason against FLACS was concern regarding efficacy, followed by safety. Pearson χ² analysis found that younger age and higher number of LRS procedures performed were associated with increased willingness to undergo LRS. Furthermore, willingness to undergo LRS was positively correlated with willingness to undergo lenRS.

Ophthalmologists indeed are willing to undergo corrective refractive procedures. There is an approximately 50-50 divide on whether or not they would undergo LRS. Slightly less than half of ophthalmologists would personally undergo lenticular surgery, which includes cataract refractive surgery and FLACS.