Will patients with contact lens problems accept excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy?

One hundred six patients who presented to the Singapore National Eye Centre with contact lens related problems from June 1992 to September 1992 were given information about photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and asked to give their reactions to the procedure. The patients in the study were largely female myopes (89%) with diverse contact lens problems. Forty-seven of 106 patients (44%) indicated they would consider PRK for themselves. Asked why, 37 patients (79%) cited the convenience of not needing spectacles or contact lenses. Of the 59 patients (56%) who were not interested in PRK, 46 patients (78%) expressed fears about possible complications; others were not convinced of the efficacy of PRK. The group of patients interested in PRK was comprised of more males (P = 0.0099) and more high myopes (P = 0.036). Of the 47 patients keen on PRK, 38 patients fit the surgical criteria. At 3 months after conclusion of the study, only two patients had undergone PRK.