Attitudes of successful contact lens wearers toward refractive surgery

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, spectacle wearers and contact lens failures have been the patient population targeted for refractive surgery. We surveyed successful contact lens wearers to determine their attitudes toward refractive surgery. METHODS: One hundred thirty-three consecutive successful myopic contact lens wearers older than 21 years were requested to read information regarding both radial keratotomy and excimer photorefractive keratectomy and complete a questionnaire. We report on the relationship between interest in undergoing radial keratotomy or photorefractive keratectomy and various patient parameters. RESULTS: More than 75% of those surveyed indicated that they would consider either procedure at any time in the future. The only statistically significant correlation found was that patients younger than 40 more frequently expressed an interest in undergoing radial keratotomy than patients older than 40. Nearly 70% of those surveyed would not spend more than $ 500 per eye for either procedure, and most patients grossly underestimated the costs associated with contact lens wear. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to spectacle wearers and contact lens failures, successful contact lens wearers can also be considered potential candidates for refractive surgery, provided it can be offered at a cost acceptable to them and if concerns regarding surgical side effects are addressed to satisfaction. This group does not appear to represent "early adapters" to new refractive technologies. The greatest interest was expressed by those younger than 40 years.