AIM: To compare the difference of the quality of life(QOL)of spectacle wearers or contact lens wearers before and after refractive surgery by the quality of life impact of refractive correction(QIRC).

METHODS:Totally 72 cases were enrolled in the investigation with 50 spectacle wearers and 22 contact lens wearers. The QOL of them were surveyed by Chinese QIRC before surgery and 3 months later after surgery.

RESULTS: 1. The QOL scores(42.29±4.90 in post-operation vs 39.30±5.16 in pre-operation)and satisfaction scores(86.51±9.14 in post-operation vs 71.58±13.24 in pre-operation)of spectacle wearers were higher after surgery more than before, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01). The vision and physical functioning(P<0.05), driving and activity in night(P<0.01), living and working under sunlight without sunglasses(P<0.05), swimming(P<0.01), worrying about costs(P<0.01), self-feeling(P<0.05), confident(P<0.01)chiefly drove the differences before and after surgery. 2. There was no significant difference of the QOL score before(41.26±5.21)and after(42.32±5.95)surgery for contact lens wearers(P>0.05). But the satisfaction score(87.14±10.64 in post-operation vs 73.77±21.26 in pre-operation)was higher after surgery than before, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01). The social activity(P<0.05), swimming(P<0.01), worrying about complications(P<0.05)chiefly drove the differences before and after surgery.

CONCLUSION: There was significant difference of QOL before and after surgery in spectacle wearers but no difference in contact lens wearers. But vision functioning, physical functioning and sports were scored significantly more after refractive surgery in spectacle wearers and sports, worrying about eye health and costs in contact lens wearers. Otherwise the satisfaction scores added much more in both two groups after refractive surgery than before.