Functional outcome and patient satisfaction following LASIK surgery

Aims: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the functional gain, visual outcome and patient satisfaction after LASIK. Materials and Methods: The study included 150 patients (85 males and 65 females) that underwent LASIK procedure for correction of refractive error and were followed up on first week, first and third month postoperatively. Visual acuity, Schirmer's test and contrast sensitivity were evaluated on each follow up. The patients were asked to fill a questionnaire consisting of 14 questions scored as 0, 1 and 2 for an unsatisfied, satisfied and very satisfied patient respectively prior to surgery and on the last visit. The patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the score obtained as: (<10> Results: In this study, the UCVA in 98.6% of our patients was ?20/30 postoperatively. The mean Schirmer's I value was 13.99 ± 1.530 in the right eye and 14.01 ± 1.544 in the left eye, while Schirmer's II values were 13.44 ± 2.128 and 13.51 ± 2.351 in the right and left eye respectively at the end of 3 months. Contrast sensitivity improved to a mean of 1.79 ± 0.15 at three months. Night driving complications reduced from a mean score of 1.59 ± 0.29 to 0.58 ± 0.05 postoperatively. Conclusions: High level of patient satisfaction can be attained with LASIK procedure. Night vision problems and dry eye are imperative causes of dissatisfaction.