Factors that influence patient choice of contact lens or photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To explore characteristics of patients and factors that influence their decision in selecting photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and contact lenses.


METHODS
A questionnaire was presented to 255 PRK and 240 contact lens patients, covering patient demographics, refraction, reasons for choosing PRK or contact lens, and advice from clinicians or friends/relatives.


RESULTS
Mean patient age was 37 years for PRK and 26 years for contact lens (P < .0001). The magnitude of the mean spherical equivalent refraction in the better eye was 4.14 D for PRK and 3.26 D for contact lens. Advertising influenced 36% (n = 92) of PRK compared to 17% (n = 41) of contact lens patients. In the PRK group, 52% (n = 133) opted for PRK based on cost; in the contact lens group the cost of PRK was thought to be high by 68% (n = 163). Eighty-four percent (n = 214) of the PRK group were contact lens wearers; of these, 32% (n = 68) were intolerant to contact lenses and 13% (n = 28) were intolerant to lens care solutions. Fifty-six percent (n = 134) of the contact lens group were concerned about the long-term effects of PRK and 49% (n = 118) were afraid to undergo a surgical procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
PRK patients were significantly older but had only marginally higher refractive error than contact lens patients. Many patients appeared to discontinue contact lens use due to tolerance problems.
Naroo
S A
SA
Department of Vision Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom. s.a.naroo@umist.ac.uk
Shah
S
S
Kapoor
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003261:Contact Lenses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires