Patient and Surgeon experience during LASIK

This randomised clinical surgical study looked at the patient and surgeon experience with two different femtosecond lasers used in LASIK (IntraLase and Visumax). 

Patient and surgeon experience during laser in situ keratomileusis using 2 femtosecond laser systems.

Journal Cataract & Refractive Surgery. March 2014, Volume 40, Number 3, Page 423-9.

Reece C Hall FRANZCO, et al.

PURPOSE:

To describe the subjective experience of patients and surgeons during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the IntraLase 60 kHz or the Visumax 500 kHz femtosecond laser.

DESIGN:

Prospective randomised clinical study.

METHODS:

In myopic patients, LASIK was performed with the corneal flap created using the 60 kHz laser in one eye and the 500 kHz laser in the contralateral eye. Postoperatively, patients completed a standardized validated questionnaire about their subjective intraoperative experiences (eg, light perception, pain, fear). Surgeons reported their intraoperative experiences and preferences.

RESULTS:

Loss of light perception occurred in 50.0% of 60 kHz laser cases and 0% of 500 kHz laser cases during docking and in 63.0% and 0% of cases, respectively, during laser flap creation (P < .0001). The mean pain score with the 60 kHz laser was significantly higher during docking (P < .0001) but not during laser flap cutting (P = .006). Subconjunctival haemorrhage occurred in 67.4% of eyes with the 60 kHz laser and in 2.2% of eyes with the 500 kHz laser (P < .0001). The 500 kHz laser was preferred by 78.3% of patients, while 21.7% preferred the 60 kHz laser (P < .0001). The surgeons preferred the 60 kHz laser in 50.0% of cases and the 500 kHz laser in 8.7% (P < .0001); 41.3% had no preference.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients preferred surgery with the 500 kHz laser but Surgeons preferred the IntraLase laser.

 

http://www.jcrsjournal.org/article/S0886-3350(13)01634-9/abstract