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Although promotional, this study was still done by Synovate

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CHICAGO, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have complained of under or over correction in one or both eyes, loss of quality of vision, vision fluctuations and poor vision in dark conditions, after undergoing Lasik surgery. The survey conducted by Synovate and commissioned by NeuroVision Pte Ltd, also found that of all Americans who experience these conditions, those in the South and the mid-West, like Chicago, are more likely to have a second Lasik operation, compared with other regions.

"As Lasik is an invasive surgery performed on a very delicate part of the eye, potential problems may arise as a result of the operation," said Prof. Donald Tan, Director, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Deputy Director Singapore National Eye Centre. "Lasik has been an invaluable tool in vision correction, reducing refraction in patients by a significant percentage but it is not without its drawbacks."

1 in 3 respondents who encountered post-Lasik problems still wear their glasses or contacts and 1 in 7 of all respondents underwent a second Lasik operation.According to the survey, women are nearly three times more likely than men to undergo Lasik but men were more likely to complain and are twice as likely to be disappointed with their Lasik results complaining of over or under correction and poor night vision.

(1) Population of the United States (2005) - 295,734,134 (Source: CIA World Fact Book). Extrapolated numbers: Completed Lasik - 13,308,036 (4.5%); Did not feel satisfied - 2,209,133 (16.6%).

BACKGROUND -- A Synovate eGage, a bi-weekly online omnibus that surveys a nationally representative sample, was conducted between 3 October 2005 and 11 October 2005. The total number respondents for the Lasik questionnaire were 9,495, with 428 who responded "yes" to having undergone Lasiksurgery.

LIKELIHOOD TO UNDERGO LASIK

-- Women are nearly three times more likely than men to undergo Lasik

- Out of total number respondents who responded "yes" to having undergone Lasik surgery, 314 female versus 114 male.

-- People in West, like California, were most likely to undergo Lasik - 5.3% versus 3.6% (East), 4.4% (Mid-West), 4.6%(South).

VISION PROBLEMS FROM LASIK

-- 32.2% or 1 in 3 Americans suffer from an under or over correction in one or both eyes, loss of quality of vision, vision fluctuations and poor vision in dark conditions.

 

DISSATISFACTION WITH LASIK

Geographical region

-- More than two million Americans are not satisfied with the results of their Lasik.

- Population of the United States (2005) - 295,734,134 (Source: CIA World Fact Book). Extrapolated numbers: Completed Lasik - 13,308,036 (4.5%); Did not feel satisfied - 2,209,133 (16.6%).

-- Americans in the East are least likely to be satisfied with the results of their Lasik. - 77.5% (East) versus 79.9% (South), 86.5% (West), 89.7% (Mid-West).

Age group

-- Americans 18-29 years old were less satisfied with their Lasik than other age groups. - 66.7% (18-24 years), 68.0%(25-29 years) versus 70% satisfaction and over for other age groups

Gender

-- Men are almost twice as likely to be disappointed with their Lasik results and mainly complain of over or under correction and poor night vision. - 7.9% (men) versus 4.8% (women) were somewhat/very dissatisfied. - Men complained about over or under correction - 16.7% (male) versus 11.1% (female) - Men complained about poor night vision - 20.2% (male) versus 19.7% (female)

ACTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS

Re-doing Lasik -- 1 in 7 had to re-do Lasik - 15.2% underwent second Lasik enhancement -- Men are more likely than women to re-do Lasik - 18.4% (male) versus 14.0% (female) -- Americans in the Mid-West and South are most likely to have a second Lasik operation - 17.2% (Mid-West), 20.8% (South) versus 8.3% (East), 9.4% (West)

Wearing glasses/contact lenses

-- One-third who experienced common post-Lasik conditions still wear glasses/contact lenses - 33.3% still wear glasses/ contact lenses -- Women are 35% more likely to wear glasses/ contact lenses after Lasik - 37.9% (female) versus 23.7% (male)

Complaining about results -- Men are more likely to complain about the results - 13.2% (male) versus 9.0% (female)

SOURCE NeuroVision Pte Ltd

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