Wavefront Lasik

The Custom Wavefront Lasik Procedure

Wavefront LASIK procedures, or custom LASIK, can correct common vision problems such as nearsightedness but also harder to fix problems including haze, glare or light halos. The wavefront LASIK eye surgery procedure is short at around ten minutes for each eye. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect from the procedure.

During the custom wavefront lasik procedure, the patient will stare at a certain point through which light is sent to the eye. Any distortions in the light being sent back are read by the wavefront sensor. These distortions, which are what cause problems in vision, are known as ‘aberrations’ and this recording is what later allows the physician to treat the exact vision problems in each eye.

After the map of aberrations has been created for the eyes, a small flap must be created either with a laser (IntraLasik) or a small blade (microkeratome) to allow access to the cornea (as in other types of LASIK surgery). This flap is opened and the LASIK reshapes the cornea. The map is used to accurately guide the laser for an individual treatment in each eye. This is what allows wavefront LASIK to attain the best vision results possible. When all of the aberrations have been treated, the flap will be closed and it will heal naturally.

During the treatment the patient is given numbing drops in the eye, as well as a mild sedative to make it as relaxing as possible. After the procedure lubrication is used to protect the eyes, and sight may not improve immediately. You may also be given a plastic eye shield. It is always recommended to ask someone else to drive you home and to go to sleep as soon as possible after the procedure. This will mean your eyes can heal as soon as possible.

Your doctor will be able to explain everything about lasik recovery in depth and any problems with vision that occur after the procedure should be brought to your physician’s attention.

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Is Wavefront Lasik Right For You?

When you make the decision to undergo LASIK surgery you have to bear in mind that there are certain requirements for who it can help, and not everyone that qualifies for the traditional surgery will qualify for wavefront LASIK. Those who do qualify for wavefront lasik, however, have a much greater chance of overall improved vision.

So, who qualifies for wavefront LASIK and who will benefit most from it?

First, there are certain conditions that may only be fixed using this type of laser treatment, for example improvement of vision in low light conditions. Wavefront mapping tests the eye for ‘aberrations’ which are visual errors of which there are standard and higher-order aberrations.

Standard aberrations can be treated with traditional LASIK surgery though high-order aberrations are only possible to be corrected with wavefront technology.

About 15% to 17% of all aberrations are of this higher-order and wavefront surgery will be especially beneficial and recommended to those who have a larger number of higher-order aberrations.

Your doctor will be able to let you know whether your treatment can be done using traditional or wavefront technology, or either.

In most cases you will be able to choose between traditional or wavefront LASIK, and wavefront could prove the better option for many reasons. Although the costs associated with wavefront LASIK are higher than with traditional LASIK, if you qualify what you will be getting is a life-time investment for your eyes.

The wavefront surgery requires much more technology which sometimes results in better outcomes for the patient and better quality of vision.

This is especially in night-time and dim environments, which is one reason why you may opt for wavefront as opposed to traditional LASIK surgery. There is also the greater overall chance of sustaining this improved vision for a longer period of time.

The important thing is to discuss with your doctor what the best option is for you.

Choosing wavefront or custom LASIK over traditional LASIK will not complicate your surgery or make it any more painful, in fact it will be as quick and as pain-free as traditional LASIK: the only difference will be the results in vision and the fact that the laser is guided by completely customized wavefront technology.

Wavefront LASIK is recommended for anyone who qualifies and is interested in benefitting from the highest quality of improved vision.

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Wavefront LASIK Recovery and Healing

After undergoing wavefront LASIK surgery most patients will see an improvement in vision almost immediately, however it can take as long as six months for the full benefits to come into effect.

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.

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A Step-By-Step Guide to Wavefront Lasik Surgery

If you opt for wavefront LASIK surgery it might help to know exactly what the process involves during the surgery to correct your vision, so this is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect.

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.

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