NEWS spectrum

Looking Closer at LASIK

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the launch of a collaborative study with the National Eye Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense to examine the potential impact on quality of life from LASIK. According to the FDA, the goal of the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project is to determine the percentage of patients who have significant quality of life problems after LASIK surgery and to identify predictors of these problems.

Funded by the National Eye Institute and the Department of Defense, the project is composed of three phases. Phase 1 began in July 2009, and its objective is to design and implement a Web-based questionnaire to assess patient-reported outcomes and to evaluate quality of life issues post-LASIK, some of which may relate to the safety of the lasers used in the LASIK procedure. Phase 2 will evaluate the quality of life and satisfaction following LASIK as reported by patients in a select, active duty population treated at the Navy Refractive Surgery Center. Phase 3 will be a national, multicenter clinical trial to study the impact of LASIK on quality of life following the procedure in the general population. Patient enrollment in Phases 2 and 3 have yet to begin, but plans are underway. Phase 3 is expected to end in 2012.

The FDA says that the results of the project will help identify factors that can affect quality of life following LASIK as well as potentially reduce the risk of adverse effects that can impact the surgical outcome. If any of these factors relates to the safety or effectiveness of the lasers used in the procedure, the FDA will evaluate whether any action is necessary. The project is part of the FDA's ongoing effort to better monitor and improve the safety and effectiveness of the lasers used in LASIK surgery.

"This study will enhance our understanding of the risks of LASIK and could lead to a reduction in patients who experience adverse effects from the procedure," said Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, Acting Director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

AOS Expands Advocacy

The American Optometric Society (AOS) recently formed to advocate for transparency and fair representation within optometric organizations. With nearly 1,500 members at press time, the AOS has expanded its mandate beyond its initial but still primary missions of opposing American Optometric Association/American Board of Optometry "board certification" and facilitating fair representation within local and state optometric associations.

"The AOS has quickly evolved to encompass more than the board certification issue and the denial of fair representation at the AOA House of Delegates," said AOS President Dr. Pam Miller. "We have expanded our mandate to include working with other organizations toward uniform national licensure, broader access to insurance programs and broad inclusion in healthcare reform."

The AOS welcomes new members and along with its broader focus has also launched a new Web site at www.optometricsociety.org. Commenting on the site's launch, Dr. Miller remarked, "The organization has reached an important milestone. With our new site we can now more effectively connect with our existing members and sign up new members online."

Foundation for Eye Health Forms

The Core Planning Team of the Eye Health Summit has announced the formation of the Health Eyes for Life Foundation. Created to increase the public's awareness about the importance of eye health, the foundation will develop a nationwide messaging campaign that directs people to take better care of their eyes.

Jim Anderson, attorney for Anderson, Howe and Steyer, has been appointed acting chairman of the organization. An interim board of directors includes Barry Barresi, OD, American Optometric Association; Edward Green, The Vision Council; Tom Hicks, Opticians Association of America; Steve Ingram, National Association of Vision Care Plans; Wally Lovejoy, Luxottica Retail; Greg Marko, Transitions Optical; Daniel Monaco, Essilor; Stan Rogaski, Contact Lens Institute; Dave Sattler, Alcon Labs; and Jeff Todd, Prevent Blindness America.

For the remainder of 2009, the Healthy Eyes for Life Foundation will continue communicating with Summit attendees, conduct an executive management search, and create a foundation identity, brand, and key marketing pieces. In 2010, the foundation will develop messaging and conduct a search for a creative agency. A foundation brand and partner guidelines will also be created, and the campaign will be launched to the vision community. A consumer launch is anticipated in 2011.

Survey Shows Declining Visits

Many consumers continue to struggle with financial challenges that are causing them to limit their visits to healthcare professionals, according to a survey released by the American Optometric Association (AOA).

When asked which doctors they are visiting less, the majority indicated dentist (63 percent), followed by primary care physician (59 percent) and eye doctor (52 percent). Only 8 percent indicated that they are sticking to their regular health schedule.

Dr. David Cockrell, optometrist and AOA Trustee, says, "We know that many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, so early diagnosis and treatment are critical."

While the survey did not ask why respondents chose to make specific cutbacks in doctor visits, fear of losing eyesight is likely part of the answer. For the fourth year in a row, the AOA's American Eye-Q survey showed that consumers worry most about losing their vision (43 percent), over their memory (32 percent) or even their ability to walk (12 percent).

Dr. Cockrell said that putting off doctor visits ultimately can be more expensive and lead to additional health problems. "The longer patients go between doctor visits, the greater the opportunity for additional health problems that ultimately can be much more expensive than routine checkups and early-stage treatment. That is another reason that identifying health problems in the early stages is ideal."