Pre-operative quality of life and psychological factors that influence patient decision making in LASIK

Abstract

Purpose To assess pre-operative visual function, psychological factors, personality traits and satisfaction in myopic patients seeking laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods Eligible patients seeking LASIK (n ¼ 183) and successful contact lens wearers (n ¼ 23) not interested in LASIK completed the Institute for Eye Research Quality of Life (QOL) Scale. Of the 183 patients seeking LASIK who completed the QOL instrument before LASIK, 30 declined the procedure and 153 underwent LASIK. One hundred and two patients who underwent LASIK attended their 3-month post-operative follow-up appointment and 51 patients failed to present for their post-operative follow-up appointment. Multiple comparisons (One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)) were conducted to determine differences in visual function, psychological factors, personality traits and satisfaction between patient groups. Results Successful soft contact lens (SCL) wearers reported better functional vision (P ¼ 0.001), felt more attractive (P ¼ 0.007), had a lower frequency of disturbing visual and ocular symptoms (P ¼ 0.027) and higher overall satisfaction with their current optical correction (Po0.001) than patients seeking LASIK. LASIK patients lost to follow-up showed higher self-efficacy, adaptability and well-being than the patients who completed their appointments and those who declined surgery (Po0.05). Conclusions Psychological characteristics, the perception of visual and ocular symptoms and satisfaction with the current method of optical correction play an important role in the decision to undergo LASIK. The IER QOL Scale is a valid and reliable instrument able to discriminate between different groups seeking choices for myopic correction. Psychological factors may influence the level of satisfaction with LASIK.

Subjective Happiness and Satisfaction in Postoperative Anisometropic Patients after Refractive Surgery for Myopia

“…Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure for the elderly to improve vision and its effects on cognitive function, sleep and motor function [1][2][3]. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia correction is another established vision-restoring surgery, and beneficial for unaided vision and QOL in all generations [4][5][6][7]. Recent investigations described improved subjective happiness after LASIK [8] and cataract surgery [9] and a decline in dry eye symptoms [10].…”

Success Factors for Excimer Laser Correction

“…Психологическое состояние пациента на дооперационном этапе оказывает значительное влияние как на решение получить хирургическое лечение, так и на степень удовлетворенности после операции [6]. Идеальный кандидат для рефракционной хирургии должен понимать сопряженные риски, иметь стабильную рефракцию, что особенно важно при проведении операции у пациентов в возрасте 18-20 лет, т. к. КРО не останавливает рост глаза, и в случае продолжающейся его элонгации пациент будет иметь регресс операционного эффекта в ближайшие несколько лет после проведения коррекции и, соответственно, разочарование в результате проведенной операции.…”

Visual and non-visual factors associated with patient satisfaction and quality of life in LASIK

“…Higher scores for the HPQ and personality traits subscales reveal subjects who are more likely to be satisfied with life, adapt to new treatments, have adequate coping strategies, and verbalise symptoms consistent with objective assessments. 18 The cosmesis subscale means appearance was important and the lower the satisfaction subscale score, the higher satisfaction perceived by the patient. Patients initially completed the IER QOL scale Spanish Version 18 onsite during the preoperative screening, and at the 3rd month follow-up appointment post LASIK.…”

“…18 The cosmesis subscale means appearance was important and the lower the satisfaction subscale score, the higher satisfaction perceived by the patient. Patients initially completed the IER QOL scale Spanish Version 18 onsite during the preoperative screening, and at the 3rd month follow-up appointment post LASIK.…”