This study investigates the current situation and future trends in the field of refractive surgery in Korea.

Since 1995, members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) have been surveyed annually on cataract and refractive surgery. The 2005 annual survey, consisting of 63 multiple-choice questions, was mailed in June 2005 to 300 KSCRS members. Fifty-four (18.0%) members responded. Current data were compared with those of previous annual surveys and with data from the USA.

The highest percentage of patients were in their forties (37%), and LASIK accounted for the highest percentage of refractive surgeries (81%). Of complications arising after refractive surgery, the degeneration of corrected vision after PRK and dry eye syndrome after LASIK accounted for the high proportions. LASIK was preferred for myopia less than -12 diopter, and phakic IOL was preferred for myopia greater than -12 diopter. Almost all respondents answered that the most promising refractive surgery is LASIK or phakic IOL.

This survey summarized the current trends and changes in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea.