To investigate the current situation and future trends in the field of refractive surgery in Korea.

Since 1995, the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) have been annually surveyed on cataract and refractive surgery. The 2006 annual survey, consisting of 63 multiple-choice questions, was mailed in July 2007 to 298 KSCRS members. Forty-eight (16.1%) of the members responded to the survey. The current data were compared with those of previous annual surveys and with those of the USA.

The society members in their forties accounted for the highest percentage (39%) of the respondents, and LASIK was the most common (50%) of the refractive surgeries. Among the possible complications that arise after refractive surgeries, the regression of corrected vision after PRK, and dry eye syndrome after LASIK accounted for the highest proportion. LASIK was preferred for patients with myopia less than -12 diopter, and phakic IOL was preferred for patients with myopia more than -12 diopter. Almost all of the respondents answered that the most promising refractive surgery is LASIK or phakic IOL.

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