Wavefront Lasik | An Introduction to Wavefront Lasik

An Introduction to Wavefront Lasik

Standard laser eye treatment, or LASIK, is performed on the basis of a general mapping of the eye in order to guide the laser in its reshaping of the cornea.

While this can be highly beneficial, it is not based on a completely individualized map of the patient’s eye (in the same way that glasses and contact lenses are shaped based on average measurements).

Wavefront lasik eye surgery, on the other hand, seeks to provide more accurate results by providing this individual map (or waveprint).

Wavefront technology was originally used in astronomy to monitor light entering telescopes, and was eventually adapted for laser eye correction. The first wavefront mapping of the eye was performed in 1994, and since then has provided an advancement of original lasik in many individual cases.

Also known as custom LASIK, wavefront LASIK involves a unique treatment from person-to-person by using three-dimensional measurements of the eye in order to be used as a guide for reshaping the surface of the cornea and improving vision.

Wavefronts are measured by devices known as aberrometers which detect the overall refractive power error of each eye. During this process, light is sent into the eye in specific patterns, where any difference between the light that is measured by the eye and the light being sent is considered an aberration. This mapping is then be used as an accurate guide for laser reshaping of the cornea.

In other words, the procedure is more exact–more customized to your unique individual eye.

This system of mapping is the main difference between traditional and wavefront lasik treatment. Studies have shown a larger percentage of patients achieving 20/20 vision after wavefront LASIK than the traditional eye surgery. Wavefront LASIK is 25 more times as accurate as traditional LASIK since the data is collected from hundreds of different points on the eye’s surface.

After this, the cornea reshaping is customized from these measurements to suit each individual. No two wavefront waveprints are the same and in this way each wavefront LASIK treatment will be catered to the individual 100%.

Wavefront LASIK can be extremely advantageous to some, yet to others it is unnecessary and will have no effect. This will all depend on the exact measurements of your eye, and your wavefront mapping will determine which treatment is best for you.

It has been used in the past to help those with nearsightedness, farsightedness and also astigmatism. It is also used for other refractive errors of the eye that are not possible to correct with glasses or contact lenses.

Read about wavefront lasik recovery and healing.

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One Response to “An Introduction to Wavefront Lasik”

  1. Wavefront Lasik Versus Traditional Lasik | Wavefront Lasik on April 1st, 2009 9:56 pm

    [...] ask your eye doctor whether wavefront LASIK could be the best treatment for you.  Read about Los Angeles [...]

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