Eye Doctor Says Laser Surgery Safer Than Contacts

Traditionally, the popular thinking about vision correction has been that corrective lenses are safer than laser eye surgery. This article reevaluates the risk associated with both forms of vision correction, based on several large-scale studies. Although several advances make both methods increasingly safer, William Mathers, M.D. and professor of ophthalmology suggests that there is a greater chance of suffering vision loss from wearing corrective lenses than from laser vision corrective surgery.

It is difficult to compare the risks of corrective lenses with those of laser surgery because the risks associated with lenses are much more “long-term” than the immediate effects of laser surgery. Wearing corrective lenses puts users at a greater risk of obtaining an eye infection; in the serious cases this can lead to eye removal. Data presented in a study in Lancet shows the lifetime risk of bacterial karatisis, an infection that causes inflammation in the cornea sometimes leading to vision loss, to be 1 in 100 for users of corrective lenses. This risk is increased by improper cleaning or wearing lenses overnight.

It is easier to calculate the risks of laser surgery. Mathers looked at a large-scale study of military personnel who received laser surgery involving more than 32,000 U.S. armed forces members that was published in the journal Ophthalmology. The study reported that 1 in 1250 of the participants found a loss of vision by one level in the eye chart and no one who lost two or more lines of vision, which would be less common but much more significant. In comparing this study to the studies on corrective lenses, he determined that laser surgery is likely safer than wearing contact lenses long-term. The article concludes that both of these methods of vision correction are continuing to become safer as more advancements are achieved in both areas.

I found this article interesting because I have very poor vision and have been wearing corrective lenses for several years. I’ve been considering laser surgery correction in the future but I’ve always been nervous about the risks involved. After reading this article, I am more motivated to research the risks and benefits associated with both methods of vision correction.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061010022541.htm

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Oregon Health & Science University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.