Wavefronts are groups of waves which travel together through space with their combined surface being the front. In terms of telescopes, when these wavefronts pass through the atmosphere and also through telescope lenses the wavefront surfaces can become slightly misaligned, resulting in a distorted image at the destination. This runs parallel to the problem with human eyes, as when wavefronts pass through a cornea with irregularities, the surface alters and results in a distorted final image.  This is the basic origin of wavefront lasik surgery.

This is where adaptive optics comes in. The technology was designed to compensate for distortion of telescope imagery but has since been adapted by those in the optical sciences in order to provide greater ability to correct minor corneal surface aberrations.  Flat wavefronts are sent into the eye, and reflections from this are monitored closely which enables a map of the eye’s surface to be developed in minute detail. This technological advance has also allowed for human eyes to potentially be corrected beyond their natural state, enhancing vision to “superhuman” levels. This is called 20/10 vision.

Adaptive optics allows far superior LASIK treatments due to the level of detail each individual eye can be mapped to. This allows the programmable laser to provide far superior correction to the cornea. While 20/10 vision is currently unachievable, it is predicted that by 2010 it will be a fully realised feature of LASIK treatments.  Read more about Wavefront LASIK.

Nearsighted and farsighted patients will see great improvements soon after surgery, and typically those with astigmatism take the longest to feel the benefits of improved vision. If you experience blurry eyesight after surgery it is important to remember that this will not last and it should be gone permanently in the following months.

After the surgery, in order to allow recovery of the corneal flap that was created during surgery, you will be expected to wear protective goggles for a few nights according to what your surgeon recommends. One of the main discomforts people may feel after LASIK eye surgery is dry eyes so for this reason your surgeon may prescribe you moistening eye drops, sometimes alongside antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eye drops.

There are a number of small risks that can occur when undertaking wavefront LASIK surgery, though most patients can go back to work within a day after the procedure. If you follow this advice and attend regular checkups you should minimize the risk of any complications.

You may feel a mild discomfort after the surgery which is why most surgeons recommend sleeping when you arrive home. Most patients already notice improved vision upon waking. Avoid watching TV, staring at computer screens, or any other activity that puts strain on your eyes (including reading).

It is important to make sure that your eyes remain relaxed in the period immediately following surgery. Take care not to rub your eyes, and it may also be a good idea to wear sunglasses indoors and outdoors. You should also take baths instead of showers during the first 24 hours and make sure that water from the shower does not spray in your face during the first week.

Avoid eye makeup and smoky and dusty environments as well as alcohol consumption for the first few days following surgery.

After surgery you will be required to attend post-operative exams just to ensure that your eyes are healing properly. If any complications do occur your doctor will most likely be able to sort them out quickly and easily. If you do experience any problems it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Read a step by step guide to wavefront lasik surgery.

Before the surgery you should expect to have a thorough eye exam where all of the measurements and details of your eye will be taken by your eye doctor, including special wavefront analysis providing a completely unique result of measurements for you.

The surgeon will use these measurements to calculate the exact amount of LASIK eye correction that is needed, and the wavefront analysis will serve as a guide for the laser during treatment.

During any LASIK eye surgery, including wavefront, the protective surface of the eye (the cornea) is lifted creating a flap, and the laser will shape the layer underneath this flap. This flap is not removed completely from the eye, rather it is left anchored on one side allowing it to be replaced again at the end of the surgery. There are two methods by which this corneal flap is created, one using a precision surgical instrument and the other using a laser.

Once the flap has been created the surgeon will then use the laser to reshape the cornea underneath the flap in a way that matches the measurements taken in your pre-operative wavefront analysis. The flap will then be gently lowered and replaced and very shortly it will be held in place by the natural forces in the eye. The whole procedure is extremely short, probably around 20 minutes.

One of the most frequent questions asked of any LASIK surgery is ‘will it hurt?’ and the answer is no. The surgeon will give you numbing eye drops so that the local area will not feel any pain. You may feel pressure but this should be only mildly uncomfortable and will last an extremely short time. You will also be given eye drops to combat any symptoms of dry eyes after the wavefront lasik surgery procedure.

It only takes a matter of hours before the surface of the cornea will begin to heal itself to grow over the edge of the flap and seal into position. It is important, however, to make sure that this healing process is not interrupted, so you will be given protective eye goggles to wear immediately following treatment. The healing will be completed within a week or so following treatment.  Read more about lasik recovery.