Reasons for Having Eye Surgery

VisionWatch, a large-scale, continuous consumer-based measurement of the U.S. eyewear market, surveys 100,000 consumers annually about their attitudes, awareness, behaviors and purchasing patterns in all areas of the eye care industry. Recently they surveyed patient who had laser vision correction asking, "What events prompted you to have eye surgery?" The primary reason was due to consumers feeling glasses or contacts were an increasing hassle. Almost a third just decided it was time to have it, while a quarter did it because friends or family had it done.

Here's the results in detail:

What events prompted you to have eye surgery?

• Friends/family had it done.....26.3%


• The expenses were reimbursed or partially reimbursed by insurance.....17.0%


• Pretax medical benefits provided some relief of cost.....7.0%


• Glasses or contacts became increasing hassle.....44.6%


• Financing terms available by the doctor's practice made it affordable.....12.3%


• New technology that offers more precise correction.....20.9%


• Just decided it was time to have it.....33.0%


• Don't know/can't remember.....4.0%