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.