Surgeon presents LASIK procedure comparative study results at ASCRS Symposium

LasikPlus® surgeon Dr. Lewis Groden presented results from a first-of-its-kind, comparative study at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Symposium revealing that LASIK procedures performed with modern excimer laser technology produce excellent results and very high patient satisfaction rates.

Each LCA-Vision (Nasdaq: LCAV) LasikPlus® vision center currently offers patients a choice of multiple state-of-the-art LASIK excimer platforms.    

"Every day we witness life-transforming outcomes from this procedure and, as a company, we set out to determine scientifically whether technological advancements are producing outcomes that are as good as we believe," said Dr. Groden, surgeon at the Tampa LasikPlus® vision center and Director of Cornea Service for the University of South Florida Department of Ophthalmology.

The study included an analysis of 180 procedures performed on 90 patients, who were treated between October 20 and December 19, 2008. Three months post-operatively, 89 percent of these patients had uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, and 93 percent of these patients strongly agreed with the statement, "My vision is excellent."

LasikPlus®, in conjunction with industry collaborators, conducted the randomized study of the different state-of-the-art excimer laser technologies at three LasikPlus® vision centers. Independent calibration of the equipment was performed on each procedure day, visual acuity was determined by use of standardized vision charts and all 90 patients participated in follow-up interviews three months following their procedure. The data was analyzed by the independent research firm.

"After conducting this study at FDA standards, we concluded that we deliver the highest quality care with results equal to any technology in use today. Further, customer satisfaction rates were very high, validating our internal LasikPlus® surveys.  In fact, 95 percent of our patients would recommend LasikPlus® to a friend or co-worker according to our most recent monthly survey," added Dr. Groden.

"We're thrilled to now be able to offer our patients even greater confidence by showing independent research that verifies the quality of procedures performed on these modern platforms," he added. "Excimer technology has come a long way since FDA approval of photorefractive keratectomy in late 1995."