For a while now a long-standing debate has occurred in the institutes for optometrists and ophthalmologists about which has more risk — contact lenses or LASIK. In the earlier years of laser eye surgery without a doubt, LASIK had a bit more risk than a contact lens. Time has passed, and techniques have improved. Doctors once again have been comparing the two approaches, so for 2019 let us look at the results.
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)
A nationally distinct university solely committed to advancing the health sciences its mission involves discovering facts and truth about the procedures used or recommendations given. Its Casey Eye Institute doctors looked at the chances of complications between vision correction surgery and contact lenses. They used the criteria of the amount of lost vision as evaluated by an eye chart.
Bacterial keratitis defines as an infection of the cornea. It mostly affects people who regularly use contact lenses. The germ responsible lists as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus. It causes eye pain and redness, blurred vision, eye discharge, light sensitivity, and excessive tearing, making it nearly impossible to wear a contact lens. A person cannot avoid the bacteria since both are commonly found in the environment and on the human body. People susceptible to those bacteria can lose vision. The Institute found that bacterial keratitis happens 1 in 100 persons who have worn daily contact lenses for 30 years or more. One in 2000 of those people loses some sight because of the infection.
When OHSU looked at refractive surgery done to 16,000 soldiers producing 32,000 LASIK surgeries, the data showed less likely vision loss. Vision loss occurred in 1 to every 1,250 persons. The Casey Eye Institute added 18,000 of their patient’s LASIK procedures done over ten years. Of those patients that had complications, only a few lost a small amount of vision known as two lines on a standard eye chart. Contact lenses are no longer the safest choice.
Longitudinal survey
Ophthalmology journal in August 2016 assessed patient satisfaction of refractive error correction when switching from contact lenses to laser eye surgery. Using a total of 1800 subjects ranging in age from 18 to 60 years old they used 20 sites in the USA to enroll in the study. A control group of 694 patients came in at 39 percent of the total became the baseline. They continued wearing contact lenses and most had worn those lenses at least five years. Over the three-year study, those in the baseline contact lens group satisfaction decreased by nine percentage points as they aged. Those choosing laser eye surgery by the third year as former contact lens wearers expressed an 88% satisfaction rating. Patients noted that the difficulties driving at night had subsided after having LASIK. With laser eye surgery reports of a significant reduction of eye infection, abrasions and ulcers occurred.
Conclusion
More studies like this need to be developed to say in most cases, LASIK would be the safer option. Enough evidence has been presented for doctors at the Houston Lasik clinic to say to a patient using contact lenses that LASIK would alleviate some significant issues. Take a drive into Houston and have a chat with the staff about switching from contact lenses to laser eye surgery. You have nothing to lose but may find a way to maintain your eyesight well into your elder years.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478
Via
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27208981
https://www.ohsu.edu/casey-eye-institute/lasik-vs-contact-lenses
