Each year ISRS partners with Drs. Richard J. Duffey and David V. Leaming to conduct a U.S. Trends in Refractive Surgery survey. The survey allows ISRS members from the United States to have their voices heard on refractive surgery issues.
Download the complete presentation from 2011 (PDF 938k)

Summary of the Results - 2011 U.S. Trends Survey

The 2011 U.S. Trends in Refractive Surgery Survey was completed by the ISRS membership in October with an excellent 34% response rate. This was the 15th year of U.S. surgeon data collection and was the third time the survey was presented and completed entirely online.

Excimer laser most commonly used: VisX 2:1 (58%) over Wavelight (29%) which is slightly down this year.

About 40% penetration of modern refractive surgery amongst refractive surgeons, which is four times the general population. Family Index rates also continue to be high despite mixed press re: LVC in the general public media.

27% of respondents are OK with bilateral P-IOL and 9% with bilateral RLE at the same surgical setting (increased).

Multifocal IOL (15%) over accommodative IOL (3%) as a preferred lens-based presbyopia option when used for RLE.

Femtosecond laser use on the rise (57%).

Thinner flaps on the rise: 100 micron or less flaps are favored by 53% of surgeons (up from 12% in ‘04).

RSB Thickness on the rise: 32% still think 250 microns is adequate, but 64% recommend 275 microns or more.

New post-LASIK ectasia cases continue to be on the decline.

Pentacam (46%) outpaced Z-H (41%) and Orbscan II (39%) for the first time.

LVC Volume up 6% within ISRS membership in 2011 relative to 2010.

2009 U.S. Trends in Refractive Surgery (PDF 237k)

ISRS refractive surgery surveys since 1997 can be found at www.duffeylaser.com.