Statistics
Success Rates
Line 5 on the eye chart to your left (20/40) is the line you need to read in order to legally drive without corrective lenses.
Line 8 is the familiar 20/20 line. Note that it is possible (Line 9 = 20/15) to see better than 20/20. We have grouped lines 7,8 and 9 together in our results, because this zone represents a vision level that is typically described as "excellent" by even the most discriminating of our patients.
Understanding Your Prescription
In order to understand our results, you will need to understand your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The basic format for a prescription is: +/- sphere +/- cylinder x axis. Prescription examples:| -3.00 | -2.25 | x 178 |
| 2.00 | +1.25 | x 92 |
| Plano | +0.50 | x 122 |
| -6.75 | sph | |
Our Results
Conventional Laser Treatments*
| Sphere | Visual Acuity Line | Cylinder | Retreatment Rate | ||
| < 1 | 1 to 2 | > 2 | |||
|
***No eyes treated in this range. *Small number of eyes treated in this range. Data last updated March 6th, 2003 |
|||||
| -14.00 to -12.01 | 5 | *** | 100%* | 100%* | 50%* |
| 7, 8 or 9 | *** | 100%* | 100%* | ||
| -12.00 to -10.01 | 5 | 100% | 100%* | 100%* | 27.6% |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 71% | 100%* | 83%* | ||
| -10.00 to -8.01 | 5 | 100% | 100% | 100%* | 14.8% |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 96% | 96% | 95%* | ||
| -8.00 to -6.01 | 5 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 13.9% |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 97% | 98%* | 95%* | ||
| -6.00 to -4.01 | 5 | 100% | 99% | 98% | 10.4% |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 98% | 98% | 93% | ||
| -4.00 to -2.01 | 5 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 5.9%* |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 99% | 99% | 93% | ||
| -2.00 to 0.01 | 5 | 100% | 100% | 100%* | 4.1% |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 99% | 98% | 100%* | ||
| 0.00 to 2.00 | 5 | 100% | 100% | 100%* | 1.9% |
| 7, 8 or 9 | 100% | 97% | 100%* | ||
| 2.00 to 4.00 | 5 | 100% | 91% | *** | 3.7% |
Laser Complications:
This includes decentrations of the laser treatment, central island formation, or seriously irregular ablation patterns. Mild degrees cause little trouble, but more serious situations require sophisticated retreatment procedures. Laser complications are less common with modern, top-of-the-line lasers such as the VISX Star S4. Reported incidence: 1.2% (myopia)1Hale Vision Correction: < 0.002%
Inflammation (DLK, SOS):
Inflammation is a normal reaction in any surgery, and the postoperative medications typically handle this response very easily. However, if this reaction is exaggerated, it can require more extensive therapy and rarely can affect the visual outcome. Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK), which has also been termed the "Sands of the Sahara" (SOS), due to its sandy appearance under the microscope, refers to inflammation underneath a flap. As such, it is only found after LASIK. Reported incidence: 1% non-severe, 0.02% severe (2-4)Hale Vision Correction: 0.02% all mild
Overcorrection:
It is possible for the eye to over-respond to the calculated laser treatment. Mild cases are typically visually insignificant. However, significant overcorrection can be bothersome and require a retreatment procedure to correct the situation. Reported incidence: 1% (5-7)Hale Vision Correction: 0.57%
Keratome/Flap Complications:
Creation of the corneal flap in LASIK is a crucial element in the overall process. Flap complications can include small flaps, irregularly shaped flaps, very thin flaps, button-hole flaps and an irregular treatment surface. If the abnormality is serious enough, the case must be cancelled without performing the laser treatment. After a 3-6 month healing period, a satisfactory flap can usually be created in a second attempt. Reported incidence: 0.7-11.8% (5,6,8,9)Hale Vision Correction: 0.18% over 8600 cases
Epithelial Ingrowth:
This is a condition in which the surface epithelial cells manage to migrate beneath the edge of the LASIK flap and invade the area known as the "interface". This is rare on primary cases and most commonly associated with retreatment procedures. Mild cases are of no significance, but more aggressive intrusions can cause discomfort, a decrease in vision or threaten the health of the flap itself. In these more serious cases, it may be necessary to re-lift the flap and remove the cells. This is usually very successful and has no serious visual consequences. Reported incidence: 0.6-14.7% (4, 10)Hale Vision Correction: 0.55%
Infection:
One of the serious complications of any surgical procedure is infection. This can lead to serious loss of vision. Reported incidence: < 0.1%Hale Vision Correction: 0% in 8600 cases
Corneal Distortion or Thinning
Requiring Corneal Transplant:
Reported incidence: 0.01%Hale Vision Correction: 0% in 8600 cases
Corneal Perforation:
Certain keratome technology can allow the flap cut to penetrate the eye, often leading to very serious consequences. Most of this technology has been replaced. Reported incidence: < 0.01%Hale Vision Correction: 0% in 8600 cases References:
(1) Montes M, Chayet A, Gomez L, Magallanes R, Robledo N. J Refract Surg. 1999: 15: 106-110.
(2) Steinert RF, McColgin AZ, White A, Horeburgh GM. Am J Ophthalmology. 2000; 129: 380-381.
(3) Yeoh J, Moshegov CN. Clin Experiment Ophthalmology. 2001; 29: 435-437.
(4) Chang-Godinich A, Steinert RF, Wu HK. Arch Ophthalmology. 2001; 119: 1074-1076.
(5) Ambrosio, R, Jr., Wislon SE. J Refract Surgery. 2001; 17: 350-79.
(6) Stulting RD, Carr JD, Thompson KP, Waring GO, Wiley WM, Walker JG. Ophthalomology. 1999; 106: 13-20.
(7) Kawesch GM, Kezerian GM. Ophthalmolgy. 2000; 107: 653-61.
(8) Tham VM, Maloney RK. Ophthalmology. 2000; 107: 920-924.
(9) Lin RT, Maloney RK. Am J Ophthalmology. 1999; 127: 129-136.
(10) Knorz, MC, Jendritza B, Hugger P, Liermann A. Ophthalmologe. 1999; 96: 503-508.
Please note: The above section summarizes many of the most common patient concerns. It does not, however, attempt to list every possible concern.
