Surgery date(s)

September 2002

Time elapsed when survey submitted

10 months

Age at time of surgery

31

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Soft contact lenses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: Apprx -6.25 both eyes

Astigmatism: Yes

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

Slight residual myopia of -0.5

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

NO

Adverse effects (visual)

None reported

Adverse effects (other)

None reported

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

10

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Convenience of not wearing and caring for contact lenses
• Increased confidence of your performance in an emergency
• Contact lens intolerance, discomfort or related problems (eyes dry, tired, red, sore, allergies, etc)
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising
• Family, friends or acquaintances who have had laser surgery
• Online

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Television, radio or other press reports
• Family, friends or acquaintances
• Independent websites

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk
• In news reports

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• The surgeon was recommended by an acquaintance.
• I had an evaluation at more than one clinic and selected the one I thought was best based on my experience during the evaluation.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

YES

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

YES

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

(left blank)

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

YES

Overall experience with the CLINIC

4

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

4

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

4

Overall experience with SURGEON

5

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

5

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

5

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

5

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

0

Surgery date(s)

April 2003

Time elapsed when survey submitted

3 months

Age at time of surgery

43

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Glasses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -7.00 both eyes

Astigmatism: Yes, high

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

-0.25 both eyes

Astigmatism one eye

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

Yes, for certain activities, as expected

Adverse effects (visual)

Floaters

Adverse effects (other)

Light sensitivity

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

9

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Increased safety or convenience for sports or other leisure activities
• Contact lens intolerance, discomfort or related problems (eyes dry, tired, red, sore, allergies, etc)
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Television, radio or other press reports

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• Patient’s optician was in partnership with the clinic

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

YES

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

NO

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

YES

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

YES

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

YES

Overall experience with the CLINIC

5

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

5

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

5

Overall experience with SURGEON

4

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

4

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

4

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

5

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

0

Key advantage of this clinic for me was that my optician is in partnership with the clinic, so although I had to go into London for the consultation and surgery, I have all follow up appointments with my local optician. (I have the option to go back to the clinic for any or all follow ups if I want to.)

They predicted very precisely the results, I now have ­0.25 in each eye, and slight astigmatism remaining in the right eye ­ they told me in advance that they could not fully treat my right eye due to corneal thickness.

Overall an excellent experience, felt the clinic described very well and in great detail exactly what would happen before, during and after surgery. The healing process went very well, though I was advised not to swim for longer than the originally stated 4 weeks since one flap was not 100 % healed.

Impressed with their technology for mapping exact contours of the eye, measuring corneal thickness etc. and the examination seemed extremely thorough.

Surgery date(s)

January 2003

Time elapsed when survey submitted

6 months

Age at time of surgery

53

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both, but deliberate monovision correction aiming to undercorrect one eye for near vision.

Correction before surgery

Gas permeable contact lenses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -4.0/-4.5

Astigmatism: UNK

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

-0.5/-1.0

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

Yes ­ plans to get glasses when prescription confirmed.

Adverse effects (visual)

Poor night vision

Discomfort driving at night

Loss of contrast sensitivity

Adverse effects (other)

Dry eye requiring daily treatment

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

8

Corrective lenses worn in the year prior to surgery

• Contact lenses (gas permeable or hard)

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Convenience of not wearing and caring for contact lenses
• Increased safety or convenience for sports or other leisure activities
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising
• Family, friends or acquaintances who have had laser surgery
• Online

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Website of the clinic patient attended
• Independent websites

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On an independent web forum (other than www.surgicaleyes.org and www.lasik-eyes.co.uk)
• On a website sponsored by the clinic
• In brochures or other media produced by the clinic

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• I had an evaluation at more than one clinic and selected the one I thought was best based on my experience during the evaluation.
• I compared prices between clinics.
• The location was convenient.
• I read good reviews or reports about the clinic or surgeon.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

NO

Night vision problems and what causes them

YES

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

YES

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

YES

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

NO

Overall experience with the CLINIC

4

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

4

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

(blank)

Overall experience with SURGEON

5

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

5

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

5

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

5

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

1

I was warned about the possibility of dry eyes and reduced contrast in my vision especially at night.  As I had a high tolerance to contact lenses I hoped that the dry eye problem would not affect me and I am slightly disappointed that it has.  Also I am disappointed with my night vision and I suspect that even with spectacles to bring this back to 20/20 that will still be a minor issue.

All in all however, I am pleased that I have had the surgery and would do it again with the same clinic.

The effects of hay fever on my eyes have unfortunately deteriorated since stopping wearing contact lenses, but again I had anticipated this.

Otherwise I am perfectly happy.

Surgery date(s)

November 2002

Time elapsed when survey submitted

8 months

Age at time of surgery

26

Type of surgery

Diamond microsurgery

Laser

NO/A

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Soft contact lenses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -6.50 both eyes

Astigmatism: Yes

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

+0.25L / 0.0R

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

NO

Adverse effects (visual)

None reported

Adverse effects (other)

None reported

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

9

Corrective lenses worn in the year prior to surgery

• Contact lenses (soft)

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Expected cost savings
• Convenience of not wearing and caring for contact lenses
• Increased confidence of your performance in an emergency
• Contact lens intolerance, discomfort or related problems (eyes dry, tired, red, sore, allergies, etc)
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising
• Family, friends or acquaintances who have had laser surgery
• Online

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Family, friends or acquaintances
• Website of the clinic patient attended
• Independent websites

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk
• In brochures or other media produced by the clinic

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• I had an evaluation at more than one clinic and selected the one I thought was best based on my experience during the evaluation.
• My surgeon had done thousands of procedures.
• My surgeon was a consultant ophthalmologist.
• My surgeon had extensive training in refractive surgery.
• My surgeon had very low complications rates.
• I read good reviews or reports about the clinic or surgeon.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

YES

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

NO

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

YES

Overall experience with the CLINIC

5

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

4

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

NO/a

Overall experience with SURGEON

5

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

5

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

5

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

5

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

NO/a

Decided to go for diamond microsurgery as I was worried about future complications with lasik. Do not believe lasek/lasik/prk has been around long enough for me to have it done!!) (and not fond of the thought of a laser in my eye, or slicing my cornea). Had consultation with [clinic], [clinic] (both very good) but went to [clinic] as [there were] excellent surgeon reports and lower risk level than lasik (no flap complications/dry eyes from laser etc)

Many people haven’t heard of DM, but its like RK (first done over 30 years ago) only more sophisticated. It’s where the diamond blade makes tiny microscopic slits in the top of the eye, to change shape and therefore focusing range, very clever stuff. No pain, over so quickly and perfect for people who are queasy about their eyes. My eyes are healthy and focus really well. ...the best money I’ve ever spent (well, my husband has ever spent.) It has given me increased confidence, saved me time with contact lenses, and has generally improved the quality of my life. Only time will tell if there are problems with these many happy lasik/laser/prk patients, and I really hope there are none, but something tells me that seems unlikely.

Surgery date(s)

February & May 2002

Time elapsed when survey submitted

18 months since original procedure

Age at time of surgery

31

Type of surgery

PRK followed by LASIK

Laser

Wavelight Allegretto

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Glasses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: L -6.00 R -5.25

Astigmatism: R eye

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

-1.00 after the PRK

Unstable vision after the LASIK, ranges up to -3.0

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

Yes

Adverse effects (visual)

Very poor vision quality

Fluctuating vision

Severe night vision disturbance

Loss of contrast

Floaters

Adverse effects (other)

Severe dry eye

Eye pain

Severe light sensitivity

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

NO

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

NO

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

0

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Convenience of not wearing and caring for contact lenses
• Increased safety or convenience for sports or other leisure activities
• Increased confidence of your performance in an emergency
• Poor vision with contact lenses
• Contact lens intolerance, discomfort or related problems (eyes dry, tired, red, sore, allergies, etc)
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Family, friends or acquaintances who have had laser surgery

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• None reported.

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• Did not read about any other patients’ experiences.

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• I compared prices between clinics.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

NO

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

NO

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

NO

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

NO

Overall experience with the CLINIC

1

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

1

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

1

Overall experience with SURGEON

3

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

1

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

1

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

1

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

2

Like a lot of people I was ignorant about refractive surgery and believed the hype in the advertisements. I was never advised that if I was NOT the text book example of success that the clinic would NOT have the facilities and experience to deal with me. I have had a number of complications and rather than proactively helping me to source out further guidance and treatment the clinic have many times ignored my requests for help and guidance. I feel that because I have expressed concerns I am seen as an awkward client.

I live in the Northwest and am having to go all the way down to London to see experienced people who may be proactive in helping to manage or treat my complications. There is no way that I will agree with my original clinics “let’s wait and see what happens” attitude. I have spent a long time reading up on complications and have sourced out alternative medications other than what the clinic prescribed for me.

I understand that there are various methods of managing some of the complications that I have and am keen to explore and discuss further with people in the know.

It is now clear that the clinic who performed my RS are primarily a cosmetic surgery clinic who I think are just dabbling with RS. If I had known that this was going to be the road I would have to go down I would never have had the surgery done.

The aftercare offered by the clinic seemingly applies only if you are a textbook example successful case. Well. I am not and am funding my trips to London out of my own finances, this includes travel costs, hotels costs, time off work and any other clinics associated costs plus the costs of ongoing medication and who knows what else in the future.  The National Health are not interested, I went to speak to someone at an eye hospital and was made to feel very uncomfortable and left feeling like I was on my own and had better deal with it on my own. But can you blame them,  after all why should they have to pick up the pieces of another surgeons badly judged case which was paid for privately.

To anyone who is thinking of having surgery, look beyond the actual procedure and make sure that you and your clinic have a contingency plan in place for when things don’t go to plan. Mine didn’t and now I am left to pick up the pieces.   

Has the problem(s) been resolved?

NO

Did the patient get additional opinions and if so how many?

YES (ongoing)

Has the surgeon told the patient what caused the problem(s)?

NO

Did the patient have risk factors s/he did not know about?

YES: High prescription, thin corneas and dry eye

Who took responsibility to look after the patient, examine and treat them when the problem(s) arose: the surgeon, other staff in the clinic, or neither?

Surgeon, clinic owner, and other non-ophthalmologist staff member

Surgery date(s)

August 2002

Time elapsed when survey submitted

11 months

Age at time of surgery

56

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Glasses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -3.50L -3.75R

Astigmatism: Yes

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

Prescription not stated, but reports that it is “improved” though there is still astigmatism.

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

Yes, readers, as expected

Adverse effects (visual)

Loss of contrast sensitivity

Increased floaters

Adverse effects (other)

Droopy eyelid

Light sensitivity

Dry eye

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

[Left blank]

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

7

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Poor vision with glasses (all of the time)
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising
• Online

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• None reported

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk
• In brochures or other media produced by the clinic

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• The first clinic I went to told me I was not eligible for treatment, so I found one that agreed to treat me.
• I compared prices between clinics.
• The location was convenient.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

NO

Night vision problems and what causes them

YES

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

NO

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

NO

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

YES

Overall experience with the CLINIC

3

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

3

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

2

Overall experience with SURGEON

1

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

3

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

3

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

3

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

2

Selected topic: Getting Treatment for Complications

The surgery was fine but the after-care was very poor with dismissal of concerns. I had a drooping eyelid, dry eye and many more floaters in the left eye and still a degree of astigmatism. I had to drive 80 miles to the clinic and felt that just to spend 10 mins with an optician who kept saying that everything looked fine was very irritating. In the end I asked the surgeon to phone me and felt he was really dismissive of my concerns. I asked for a different surgeon to do the re-treatment and there was a reluctance to do this. I really had to insist on re-treatment, which has helped the overall sight by reducing the astigmatism to a very low level. However, I have been told that only one re-treatment is possible and that this is it. I don’t know from reading the web-site if that is true?

The floaters, the eye droop (which I feel was due to a very painful insertion of the eye-guard at the time of the first surgery) and the dryness in that eye are still here but the clinic is only interested in the actual sight. They have suggested various eye drops but they don’t help, and there has been no comment on the floaters or the feeling that the eyelid doesn’t quite fit over the eye any more. I get the impression they think all this will clear with time and maybe it will. Overall, my actual sight has improved although I cannot read at all with out +3.5 readers and it seems a shame that these other effects cannot be eradicated.

Has the problem(s) been resolved?

NO

Did the patient get additional opinions and if so how many?

NO

Has the surgeon told the patient what caused the problem(s)?

NO

Did the patient have risk factors s/he did not know about?

NO

Who took responsibility to look after the patient, examine and treat them when the problem(s) arose: the surgeon, other staff in the clinic, or neither?

Surgeon

Surgery date(s)

January 2002

Time elapsed when survey submitted

18 months

Age at time of surgery

23

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both were intended, but only one eye was done as there was a flap complication (loss of suction while cutting the flap, resulting in incomplete flap)

Correction before surgery

Glasses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -6.0 to -6.5

Astigmatism: -2.0 to -2.5

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

Not reported

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

Not reported but apparently not

Adverse effects (visual)

• Poor night vision
• Ghosting
• Floaters
• Loss of one line of best-corrected vision

Adverse effects (other)

Dry eye

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

NO

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

NO

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

4

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Professional (wished to join police but could not because of eyesight requirement)

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising
• Online

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Television, radio or other press reports
• Independent websites
• Other: Optician

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk
• On an independent web forum (other than www.surgicaleyes.org and www.lasik-eyes.co.uk)
• On a website sponsored by the clinic
• In news reports

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• I compared prices between clinics.
• The location was convenient.
• I read good reviews or reports about the clinic or surgeon.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

NO

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

NO

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

NO

Overall experience with the CLINIC

1

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

1

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

1

Overall experience with SURGEON

1

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

1

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

1

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

1

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

2

I was to have Lasik  performed on both eyes in January 2002. Unfortunately they lost suction whilst cutting the flap on my left (1st) eye. My deep set eyes was blamed for this. Why was this not noticed in my “thorough” pre surgery consultation and taken into account during the op? I was then given the option of leaving my right eye or going for it. I went for it. Anyway, I thought that after what had happened I would have had regular check ups with the doctor that performed the operation. I saw him the day after. I then saw another doctor about a week after the op (I had to make the appointment as I wanted to know if I could put a contact in). He said that the Dr [name omitted] would really probably want to see me again, so I went along about a week after. The clinic didn’t have a record of me having an appointment! The Doctor wasn’t really interested to be honest and was very arrogant and obnoxious. Also, he was very argumentative when I pointed out that I was not warned of the potential side affects that could arise with the size of my pupils.

After this meeting I did not see him for another 4ý months. And that was only after I wrote to the owner of [clinic] stating how unhappy I am with the amount of times I had seen the Dr, or a Dr, after the op. I got a phone call from someone very high up in the company who apologised profusely etc. I then got a call from the clinic! Dr [name omitted] was desperate to see me! Imagine that…. The problem was he was that desperate to see me that the appointment was nearly 2 months away. What service.

Again, I argued with him as he was right and I was obviously wrong cos I was just the patient and he was the Dr. He had the most arrogant and pompous attitude I have ever seen in a Dr. I have ghosting and hazy vision in the eye I had done in dull/dark conditions. Don’t risk it ­ that’s my advice…

Has the problem(s) been resolved?

NO

Did the patient have to get additional opinions and if so how many?

YES (# not reported)

Has the surgeon told the patient what caused the problem(s)?

YES

Did the patient have risk factors s/he did not know about?

YES ­ large pupils

Who took responsibility to look after the patient, examine and treat them when the problem(s) arose: the surgeon, other staff in the clinic, or neither?

Not reported

Surgery date(s)

January 2003

Time elapsed when survey submitted

6 months

Age at time of surgery

Not reported

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Glasses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -4.5/-4.25

Astigmatism: Yes

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

Not reported but apparently at least driving standard

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

NO

Adverse effects (visual)

None reported

Adverse effects (other)

Dry eye

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

8

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Advertising
• Online

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Television, radio or other press reports
• Independent websites

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• I compared prices between clinics.
• I intended to try out more than one clinic, but I was impressed with the first one and went ahead with them.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

YES

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

YES

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

NO

Overall experience with the CLINIC

4

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

4

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

-

Overall experience with SURGEON

3

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

2

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

3

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

1

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

1

I am pleased to have had the surgery. I no longer need glasses or contacts and my two sons are intending to have the surgery as soon as they are 21. I do suffer from dry eye a bit, but it is not a great problem. I use Hypromellose eye drops approximately once every other day.

Surgery date(s)

February 2003

Time elapsed when survey submitted

5 months

Age at time of surgery

49

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Carl Zeiss/Meditec

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Soft contact lenses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -2.0L, -3.5R

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

6/6 after some months though left eye “not quite there”.

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

NO

Adverse effects (visual)

None reported

Adverse effects (other)

Severe dry eye which eventually improved and is now mild.

Light sensitivity.

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

9

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Increased safety or convenience for sports or other leisure activities
• Contact lens intolerance, discomfort or related problems (eyes dry, tired, red, sore, allergies, etc)
• Generally tired of the hassle of glasses or contacts and attracted by the idea of not needing them

Read about the benefits of LVC in...

• Family, friends or acquaintances who have had laser surgery

Read about the risks, complications and side effects of LVC in

• Family, friends or acquaintances
• Website of the clinic patient attended
• Independent websites

Read about patients’ experiences (good or bad)

• On www.lasik-eyes.co.uk
• On a website sponsored by the clinic
• In brochures or other media produced by the clinic

How patient selected clinic and/or surgeon

• The clinic was recommended by an acquaintance.
• I had an evaluation at more than one clinic and selected the one I thought was best based on my experience during the evaluation.
• I read good reviews or reports about the clinic or surgeon.

The following were or were not discussed with the patient during the consultation process:

How long patient could expect to be glasses-free after surgery

YES

Night vision problems and what causes them

NO

Other problems associated with laser surgery, such as double vision/ghosting and loss of contrast sensitivity

YES

Patient’s pupil size at night and how it may affect the quality of the surgical result

YES

Patient’s corneal thickness and what it means for eligibility for additional procedures

YES

Patient’s professional vision requirements (present or future)

NO

The possibility of dry eye requiring ongoing treatment (i.e. after the healing period)

NO

Overall experience with the CLINIC

5

Impression of the CLINIC’s quality standards

5

How CLINIC’s staff responded if patient had any problems or concerns after surgery

4

Overall experience with SURGEON

4

Time SURGEON spent with patient before the day of surgery

3

SURGEON answered patient’s questions prior to surgery

3

SURGEON discussed pre-operative evaluation test results with patient

1

SURGEON spent time with patient at follow-up examinations

2

Selected topic: Healing Process

I suffered dreadfully with dry eye and required spectacles 2 weeks after surgery ­ the whole process of what happened during surgery was not explained fully to me ­ I knew my eyes bled, and subsequently they were dry. It was not explained that the surgery involves the severing of various nerves responsible for telling your eye it needs lubrication ­ hence dry eye, one assistant at my clinic didn’t recognise this and told me the procedure hadn’t worked and I would need enhancement. Obviously concerned I returned 2 days later to see another optometrist who did explain the results of the surgery, why I had severe dry eye ­that it had affected my prescription up to 2 dioptre and that it would take 3 months for the nerves to heal. She also assured me that with regular use of the preservative free artificial tears my vision would be fine.

So 4 months on, my right eye is perfect and my left eye which suffered more trauma is almost there ­ in the mornings the vision is fine but does deteriorate throughout the day. I no longer use vast quantities of artificial tears.

So on the whole I am delighted with the outcome ­ I no longer need prescriptive glasses but wish that the left eye would hurry up and heal properly.

Surgery date(s)

March 2001

Time elapsed when survey submitted

28 months

Age at time of surgery

29

Type of surgery

LASIK

Laser

Unknown

One eye or both

Both

Correction before surgery

Soft contact lenses

Vision before surgery

Short-sighted: -4.0 both eyes

Astigmatism: Yes

Vision after surgery (acuity or prescription)

Not reported but assumed to be at least driving standard

Does patient now need glasses or contact lenses?

NO

Adverse effects (visual)

None reported

Adverse effects (other)

None reported

Did patient feel the surgery achieved his/her goal?

YES

Does patient recommend to acquaintances?

YES

Patient’s rating of results (1-10, 10 is best)

10

Primary motivating factors in decision to have LVC

• Cosmetic benefits
• Convenience of not wearing glasses
• Expected cost savings
• Convenience of not wearing an