Decade-Long Study Shows PRK and LASIK Surgeries 'Safe and Effective'
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Both LASIK and PRK eye procedures are safe and effective, according to results of a 10-year study presented today at the Academy of Ophthalmology's 2006 Joint Meeting.
Researchers who examined patients a decade after undergoing LASIK and PRK treatments say both procedures provide stable, long term improvement for nearsightedness.
"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 lead investigator Jorge L. Alio, MD, PhD, chair of ophthalmology at the Universidad Miguel Hernandez in Alicante, Spain and medical director of VISSUM.
The study, which included 100 eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism corrected by LASIK and 100 eyes corrected by PRK surgery, measured how well the patients maintained the ability to focus, as well as any changes in visual distortion 10 years after surgery.
Dr. Alio said that according to standard industry safety evaluations, both procedures recorded excellent long-term statistics that showed that patients maintained, on average, 20/25 vision 10 years after surgery.
Study patients with all levels of myopia maintained lasting vision improvements following both types of surgery. Results showed that despite being highly nearsighted prior to surgery, the average patient enjoyed near- normal vision a decade later.
See what I mean? Anyway, I am glad to hear that the prognosis is good. As always, if you are considering eye surgery please be sure to investigate your options, what's involved with each procedure, their full long-term costs and their healing times. There is no reason to rush into anything.
