Refractive surgery market to reach $4.5 billion by 2009

The growing popularity of LASIK and other new innovations in refractive surgery is set to push sales in the global market from $1.3 billion in 2006 to an estimated $4.5 billion in 2009, according to market research firm Kalorama Information.

The combination of ageing populations, increased incidence of myopia and presbyopia and new technologies such as bladeless LASIK and phakic intraocular lenses are all contributing to market changes not seen since the introduction of LASIK.

According to the research, although acceptance of laser vision correction has been slow, patient satisfaction with LASIK procedures is currently high, anywhere between 92 and 98%. Furthermore the advanced technologies such as bladeless and wavefront guided LASIK are helping to alleviate fears and increase patient confidence.