No End in Sight

By
DAN CHILDS<br>ABC News Medical Unit</br>
March 22, 2007, 9:27 AM ET
2 min read

Nov. 14, 2006— -- Those considering laser eye surgery may be heartened by a new study that finds the clearer vision granted by two popular procedures lasts for 10 years or more.

Researchers who examined patients a decade after undergoing laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratotomy (PRK) treatments say both procedures provide stable, long term improvement for nearsightedness.

The results were presented at the American Academy of Opthalmology's 2006 meeting in Las Vegas by lead investigator Dr. Jorge Alió, chair of ophthalmology at the Universidad Miguel Hernandez in Alicante, Spain.

"Our study provides a clear answer to those who doubt LASIK's reliability, showing that both LASIK and PRK are effective for correcting myopia with no long term complications," said Alió.

The study, which included 100 nearsighted or astigmatic eyes corrected by LASIK and 100 corrected by PRK surgery, measured how well the patients maintained the ability to focus, as well as any changes in visual distortion in the years following surgery. Researchers found that while there was still some regression associated with both procedures, on average, patients maintained 20/25 vision after 10 years.

Both LASIK and PRK use a laser to reshape the cornea -- the clear "window" at the front of the eye. In LASIK, doctors use either a laser or a knife called a keratome to open up a flap in the cornea, after which a laser is used to reshape the eye and the flap is replaced.

PRK is slightly different, as no flap is required; doctors simply use a laser to treat the surface of the cornea directly.

Some experts say the results of the study are promising -- even if they are not terribly surprising.

"(The longevity of these treatments) has been known for many years now," says Dr. Susan Taub, professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. "It's just reinforcement for those still on the fence."

Last year about 1.3 million Americans underwent LASIK, according to data compiled by Market Scope, an eye care market research company. PRK, the second most popular laser eye procedure, nonetheless lags far behind with annual patient numbers in the tens of thousands.