LASIK ; myopia ; psychological well-being ; quality of life ; role function
Keywords
LASIK ; myopia ; psychological well-being ; quality of life ; role function
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 June 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 dysfunction) 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 days, l 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 improvemeny (changes in score: 1.48, p=0.001), followed by psychological well-being(0.98, p=0.001), visual function(0.6, p=0.001), and visual symptoms (0.49, p=0.001).
Conclusions: LASIK has a significant contribution to improve QOL in myopia patients.