Femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK improves quality of life

PURPOSE: To investigate the quality of life (QOL) outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK using the Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire. METHODS: Translation of the QIRC questionnaire from English to Greek followed standard international protocols. The questionnaire was completed by 190 individuals, aged 18 to 39 years with myopia (range: -0.75 to -8.50 diopters) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of logMAR 0.2 or better (Snellen equivalent 20/32) in the worse eye. Half of this sample underwent LASIK with femtosecond laser flap creation and ablation with the Visx Star S4 IR excimer laser (Abbott Medical Optics). The questionnaire was scored with Rasch analysis. Validity was tested by internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α) and repeatability by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman limits of agreement, convergent validity was examined with inter-item correlations, and construct validity was evaluated by known groups comparison analysis. RESULTS: The total QIRC score improved with femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK from mean 38.9±5.7 preoperatively to 53.7±5.1 postoperatively (P<.001). Among the pre-treatment and control groups, QIRC score was greater for those wearing contact lenses than those wearing spectacles (P<.01). The Greek version of the QIRC had good internal consistency reliability. Interitem correlations were all significant (P<.001), ranging from 0.32 to 0.79. Repeatability was high (Bland- Altman limits of agreement were -6.72 to +5.41 and ICC for the total score was 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK leads to marked improvements in refractive error-related quality of life. This study also provides evidence for the reliability and validity of the Greek version of the QIRC questionnaire.