Fear remains a major obstacle to LASIK acceptance

June 21, 2007

Choosing to have LASIK or other laser vision correction surgery is a significant and complex decision. While the idea of having good vision without glasses or contact lenses is appealing to nearly everyone, having surgery is another story.

A recent consumer survey found that the "fear component" accounted for the majority of reasons people gave for not having laser vision correction surgery. Of those polled:

• 57% feared an unfavorable outcome.
• 54% feared post-surgical side effects.
• 53% feared the lack of adequate information.
• 49% expressed a general fear of medical procedures.

(It's important to note, though, that fear wasn't the only reason consumers gave for not having LASIK surgery. The cost of the procedure was also an issue for 78% of those polled.)

To better understand and address consumers' fears about laser vision correction, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) commissioned a study involving experts in psychology, dentistry and nursing to explore how similar fears are handled in other medical settings.

The study found that the primary component to people's anxiety about LASIK is fear of the unknown. The experts also noted that if LASIK candidates don't fully understand the procedure, it represents something uncertain and unpredictable, and therefore something over which they lack control.

Alleviating people's fear of laser vision correction requires restoring their sense of control by making sure they fully understand the procedure prior to making their decision, the experts concluded.

Based on the results of this study, AMO recommends that LASIK surgeons and their staff follow these guidelines:

1. Establish good communication with patients, characterized by "active listening."
2. Give LASIK candidates the opportunity to speak directly with the surgeon (rather than only to staff members) prior to surgery.
3. Based on the patient's personality and their familiarity with LASIK, determine the amount and type of information they need to make an informed decision.
4. Allow patients to weigh both sides of the decision: Discuss both the pros and cons of having LASIK and the pros and cons of not having it and staying with glasses or contact lenses.
5. Allow LASIK candidates to "meet" previous patients and hear their experiences via video testimonials.

AMO also recommends that the video LASIK patients watch prior to surgery includes an appearance by their surgeon and provides essential details about the procedure, including what happens at each stage of the surgery, how long each step will last, and how it will feel. All these elements help patients know what to expect, giving them a greater sense of predictability and control.

SOURCE: Reducing the "fear factor" in laser vision correction. Refractive Eyecare; June 2007, pp 10-12.

Last updated: February, 2010