Revue des arts et des sciences sociales

Laser vision correction (lasik) in the United States

Abstract

Stephen N. Joffe

Laser Vision Correction (LVC) is an elective, self-pay and safe surgical procedure to correct myopia and hyperopia. Since FDA approval 25 years ago, there have been a progression of technological improvements leading to better outcomes and LVC is now one of the safest surgical procedures. A potential pool of 50 million patients, 6000 trained ophthalmic surgeons regularly treat in over 1000 centers. Treatments remain low from an earlier peak of 1.4 million to less than 800,000 over last 10 years. The factors preventing patients undergoing surgery have not changed and include the cost and fear of laser surgery. The latter is overcome by word of mouth referrals and positive social media messaging. Patients can be “in and out” in less than two hours with a rapid recovery, minimal postoperative restrictions and have 20/20 vision within 24 hours. Laser vision correction and especially LASIK, remains the treatment of choice for myopic and hyperopic patients wanting to remove their dependency on glasses and contact lenses.