Management of anxiety in the refractive surgery patient.

Refractive surgery has rapidly evolved to become a preferred alternative for the correction of refractive errors. As the quest to obtain faster visual recovery, fewer complications, and early stability continues, there is little in the literature that addresses the anxiety experienced by most refractive surgical patients. Although vision-correction surgery uses highly technical and precise procedures, the need to develop therapeutic caring and communicative techniques for these patients has not been adequately addressed. There has been insufficient research in the literature focusing on the patient's fear. Respecting the patient's fear and concerns and supporting them by developing a humanistic approach to patient care may prove to be beneficial to the patient and the refractive team.