Laser Refractive Surgery for Vision Correction: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness

Recent systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant differences in visual outcomes (efficacy and safety) or visual quality (post-operative higher-order aberrations and contrast sensitivity) among common used refractive surgical techniques, including Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK), and Epithelial Laser Keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK). The visual outcomes were often accomplished in short-term studies, while long-term outcomes are still unclear. The aim of this report is to review the long-term clinical effectiveness of laser refractive surgery for vision correction in adults, with particular emphasis on the length of time to avoid corrective eye wear, patient satisfaction and quality of life. Cost-effectiveness of laser refractive surgery is also taken into consideration in this review.