New Guidelines For Lasik Surgery

RENTON - Nearly 150 million Americans have vision problems -- and one in three of them has considered Lasik surgery but done nothing about it.

So, why haven't more people opted for laser eye surgery?

"What's really been missing is a source for reliable and accurate information," said Dr. Roger Steinert. But now he says the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery is changing that. He helped write the new guidelines to help patients decide if laser surgery will improve their eyesight.

You can't just sign up for laser surgery, you must be a good candidate, and the only way to know is with a thorough prescreening.

The new guidelines say candidates for laser surgery typically need thick corneas, must be 18 or older, have moderate but not severe vision problems, have no other eye diseases or conditions and be in general good health.

Dr. Savanda, an optometrist at the Restore Vision Centers in Renton, says they also need a dose of reality.

"A lot of people think they're forever out of glasses, they can throw them a away - that's unrealistic," says Dr. Savanda. She says most patients no longer have to wear glasses, but those in bifocals may still need reading glasses after surgery.

'It's A Life-Changing Event'

Two years ago, Craig Saxon underwent laser surgery. He now no longer needs the glasses he'd worn since junior high.

He was so impressed, he got in the laser business and is now CEO of Restore Vision Centers.

Saxon thinks the new guidelines just reinforce what reputable laser centers already do.

In some cases Restore Vision Centers says their guidelines are even more conservative than the new guidelines.

"For example, we can treat up to a certain level of correction and although the laser is approved for it, we stay below it. We found staying a little more conservative than those absolutes we can get a more consistent and better outcome -- we don't' push the envelope," say Saxon.

Laser surgery isn't for everyone.

"You need to be aware there are risks, it's invasive with no guarantee of acuity outcome, but the odds are tremendously weighted in the patients favor," says Saxon.

Restore Vision Center has been in business for 2 years in Renton and so far has performed about 8,000 surgeries. Saxon says after surgery 99 percent of their clients end up with at least 20/40 vision after the first primary treatment - the majority come in at 20/25.

The center's owner says it's the same laser equipment that Tiger Woods and Liz Taylor used.

Some estimates say that of the one million expected to undergo the procedure this year, up to 5 percent could experience side effects because they didn't start out as ideal patients. If your doctor skips prescreening tests -- including vision history and a history of past diseases and medications -- see a new doctor.

For More Information:

Eye Surgery Education -- www.eyesurgeryeducation.com (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
Restore Vision Centers -- www.restorevisioncenters.com