Impact of Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) Treatment on Quality of Life in Myopia Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of LASIK on vision-related quality of life (QOL) in myopia patients METHODS: This study included 288 patients who received laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) between July and December 2001 from two eye clinics located in Seoul and Pusan. Myopia-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQLQ) was developed. MQLQ contained 34 questions in 4 domains that assess the effect of LASIK on visual function, visual symptoms, social and role function, and psychological well-being. Baseline QOL for the condition that refractive error was corrected by glasses or contact lenses before undergoing LASIK were evaluated by means of self-administered questionnaire. The evaluation was repeated at 4 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after LASIK. All question items were rated on a scale ranging from 1 (maximal dysfuntion) to 5 (no dysfunction). RESULTS: Average score for the MQLQ changed from 3.20 preoperatively to 3.76, 3.99, 4.07, and 4.11 at 4 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery, indicating a continuous improvement of overall QOL following LASIK. Among the 4 dimensions, social and role function showed the biggest improvement (changes in score 1.48, p=0.001), followed by psychological well-being(0.98, p=0.001), visual function(0.67. p=0.001), and visual symptoms (0.49, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LASIK has a significant contribution to improve QOL in myopia patients.