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.

Many people suffer from a variety of refractive errors including near-sightedness and long-sightedness as well as astigmatisms. With the LASIK procedure a laser is used to reshape the cornea of the eye which corrects these refractive errors.

In the LASIK treatment, a thin flap is cut in the surface of the cornea, which is then folded back at which point a programmed laser is used to sculpt the exposed area. This flap re-adheres when allowed to return to its natural state at the end of the operation.

Wavefront-Guided LASIK is a technological advancement which allows for greater individual accuracy in the programmed laser. A special device is used to gain ultra-accurate readings from your eye which in turn allows for improved quality of treatment. This form of treatment is highly recommended for those who have access to it.

Wavefront technology allows for the creation of a detailed map of your eye which allows all the tiny imperfections in the cornea that cause refractive errors to be addressed in minute accuracy. Wavefront provides patients with improved quality of vision compared to previous standard treatments.

Measurements are taken by a sensor which responds to a beam of light that is sent through your eye and focussed on the retina. To ensure great accuracy in taking these readings you are required to rest your chin on a piece of apparatus and fix your vision on a certain point of light.

Wavefront technology not only corrects the refractive errors already mentioned, but also corrects problems which cannot be addressed by the use of glasses or contact lenses. Whilst this is an excellent treatment that can give significantly improved vision, it is not a procedure for all problems. Your ophthalmologist will tell you what is right for you.

Read a step by step guide to wavefront lasik surgery procedure.

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.