DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20260604-01 ISSN: 1081-597X

Longitudinal and Geographic Patterns of Public Interest in Refractive Surgery in the United States: A 10-Year Google Trends Analysis of LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and ICL Implantation (2015 to 2025)

Nicholas F. Fazio, Mina M. Sitto, David Szanto, Emily R. White, Phillip C. Hoopes, Majid Moshirfar
Show PDF Cite

Purpose:

To analyze trends and correlations in online public interest regarding four refractive procedures: laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), and Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) implantation.

Methods:

Monthly relative search volume (RSV) from Google Trends (Alphabet Inc) for terms “LASIK surgery,” “SMILE surgery,” “PRK surgery,” and “ICL surgery” was collected in the United States from January 1, 2015 to October 1, 2025.

Results:

“LASIK surgery” showed significantly greater search interest than PRK (10.3×), SMILE (14.8×), and ICL implantation (32.3×) ( P < .001). Over the 10-year period, LASIK and PRK showed no significant changes in public interest ( P > .05), whereas SMILE ( r = 0.86) and ICL implantation ( r = 0.81) demonstrated significant upward trends (both P < .001). However, subanalysis of the post-coronavirus disease 2019 period (March 2020 to October 2025) revealed a significant decline in LASIK search interest ( r = −0.55; P < .001), whereas SMILE ( r = 0.74) and ICL implantation ( r = 0.84) continued to rise. PRK remained unchanged during this period. Search interest was strongly correlated between SMILE and ICL implantation ( r = 0.80) and between PRK and LASIK ( r = 0.59). Regionally, LASIK showed the highest RSV across most states, particularly above the national mean in the Midwest (Wisconsin and Iowa; z = 1.35) and the Northeast. Higher search interest was observed for PRK in Hawaii ( z = 3.59), SMILE in Maryland ( z = 3.12), and ICL implantation in Utah ( z = 5.06).

Conclusions:

Despite LASIK's widespread popularity, search interest in SMILE and ICL implantation has increased during the past decade. Google Trends may be an effective tool for assessing shifting interest in refractive surgery modalities.

More from our Archive