Eyeworld

99 EW REFRACTIVE SURGERY April 2016 ment and context, it will grow, he said. "It is a remarkable proce- dure with an incredible safety and glasses and now wish for specta- cle freedom," he said. "Therefore, presbyopia is another incentive for having surgery." With worsening weather conditions and pollution, many are becoming intolerant of contacts lenses, Dr. Chang added. Dr. Kanellopoulos thinks that specialized LASIK procedures are growing. "The use of topography- guided technology appears to offer superior results clinically as far as visual acuity, quality of vision, and retaining asphericity of the eye," he said. Where is it declining? The fact that LASIK has become so commercialized and is offered almost as a commodity is a reason that Dr. Kanellopoulos thinks LASIK may be declining. "This is probably perceived by the general public as a 'product' that is not desirable and not a top priority." Dr. Cummings sees a decline in areas where the predominant providers are "high street based" and added that false and aggressive advertising and unrealistic promises undermine the value of LASIK. Because of the declining econ- omy, the procedure is performed less frequently at present, Dr. Chang said, adding that LASIK is usually considered as a disposable income consumer product. "Most LASIK procedures go along with the local financial index," he said. "When the financial index is high, patients have more disposable income, and LASIK is one of the procedures they often choose to have performed." Recent negative publicity in Asia about the procedure may be having an adverse impact, Dr. Chang said. Another possible explanation is an increase in patient acceptance of the SMILE procedure; Dr. Chang thinks this may be causing some decline in LASIK. What can be done LASIK should only be performed in offices and premises of consultant ophthalmologists, according to Dr. Cummings. "The only indications are matching the patient needs with the most appropriate procedure, en- suring all inclusion criteria are met, and there should be no hard sell," he said. Although some people think laser eye surgery is a commodity, it is a surgical procedure that is be- ing performed on healthy people with healthy eyes whose goal is to improve their vision and enjoy a glasses-free life. "There is no room for error," Dr. Cummings said. "There is no room for commercial pressure on the patient's suitability for the procedure." If and when LASIK is provided in this environ- continued on page 101 Visit Us at ASCRS in booth 2645

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