Evolution of LASIK Opens Door for Patients Not Suitable for LASIK Surgery
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Linette Hwu had been warned by doctors she was not a candidate for laser eye surgery: Her corneas were too thin, her pupils too large, and she was extremely nearsighted.
The 33-year-old lawyer for Discovery Communications said she had resigned herself to being permanently tethered to the glasses she had worn since third grade. But four months ago, Hwu underwent one of several relatively new procedures, this one known as Epi-Lasik, which is designed for patients who can't have conventional laser surgery because it removes too much corneal tissue. An eye exam last month showed she could see 20/20 without glasses.
Alice Corbett, 53, of suburban Washington had been told a few years ago that the shape of her corneas made her a questionable surgical risk, but recently approved technology revealed otherwise.
On Oct. 11, Corbett underwent Lasik after years of juggling reading and distance glasses, which she often lost, and contact lenses, which she hated. Although she still needs reading glasses, Corbett is thrilled she can do everything else unencumbered by eyewear.
The experiences of both women are emblematic of the maturing market for procedures to correct common vision problems, especially nearsightedness, a condition that affects one in four Americans.
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