ASSESSING VISUAL AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE OUTCOMES FOLLOWING ADVANCED REFRACTIVE SURGERY TECHNIQUES AMONG PATIENTS WITH MYOPIA AND HYPEROPIA

Background: Refractive errors, including myopia and hyperopia, significantly impair visual function and quality of life. With evolving surgical technologies, modern refractive procedures now offer highly precise correction with improved safety profiles. However, comprehensive evaluation of their impact on both clinical outcomes and quality of life across diverse patient groups remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and quality-of-life improvements achieved through modern refractive surgery procedures in patients with myopia and hyperopia. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted over eight months at a refractive surgery center in South Punjab. A total of 120 patients aged 20–45 years underwent LASIK, PRK, or SMILE procedures, with selection based on individual ocular profiles. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and refractive error were recorded preoperatively and at one and three months postoperatively. Patient-reported quality of life was assessed using the NEI VFQ-25 questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Mean UCVA improved significantly from 0.74 to 0.08 LogMAR at three months. BCVA showed stable improvement, and refractive stability was achieved in 92.5% of patients. The mean spherical equivalent improved from -3.75 D to -0.18 D. NEI VFQ-25 scores increased from 68.3 ± 10.4 to 88.9 ± 7.6, reflecting a 30.2% improvement in vision-related quality of life. No major complications were reported. Conclusion: Modern refractive surgery techniques are effective and safe for correcting myopia and hyperopia, providing both objective visual improvement and enhanced quality of life. These findings support their broader use in vision rehabilitation.