Experts stress that anyone considering LASIK should thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks with a health care professional.
By Daryl Austin
When patient activist Paula Cofer of Tampa, Florida, learned that LASIK surgeries, laser eye surgery that corrects vision, were soaring during the pandemic, she was disappointed, but not surprised. “The LASIK industry depends heavily on advertising and their latest marketing gimmick has been targeting people frustrated with foggy eyeglasses while wearing a mask,” she said.
Whether she likes it or not, the strategy seems to be working.
Recent data from the Refractive Surgery Council, an association of vision correction experts, said that while some ophthalmology subspecialties have struggled to attract patients to elective procedures during the pandemic, “refractive surgery has proven to be an exception.” Indeed, the same report said the industry has “benefitted from a kick start during the COVID-19 era,” with laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK and PRK “flourishing,” and 2021 shaping up to be the industry’s most profitable year since 2015.
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