Custom LASIK (Wavefront LASIK)

Custom LASIK is really a term which refers to a more advanced, sophisticated method of Laser eye surgery that treats virtually all facets of the visual spectrum including what are known as higher order aberrations. Custom LASIK surgery, also referred to as wavefront LASIK, employs 3D measurements of how a person's eye processes images to guide the laser in re-shaping the cornea, the lens of the eye. During the procedure these measurements are analyzed by a computer which precisely controls the laser.

Conventional LASIK treatment is unable to treat higher order aberrations including glare and halo. Over time, some of the early LASIK patients were unsatisfied with the inability of the procedure to fix these higher order aberrations which is the main reason why this new advanced method was developed.

Once the nearsightedness or whatever other eye condition was improved with conventional LASIK, it brought the other symptoms to the forefront. Higher-order aberrations do not necessarily have an effect on a person's eyesight but tend to result in problems that include reduced contrast sensitivity, also known as night vision, glare, shadows and halos.

Aberrations are deviations away from normal vision, which can include blurred images. Farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism constitute the majority of first-order aberrations and also make up the majority of the human eye's vision defects. Nevertheless, another range of refractive errors which has not been given a lot of consideration until recently is higher-order aberrations. Higher-order aberrations, which happen to be unique from one person to another, are usually the result of uneven curvatures in the cornea and lens, scar tissue, dry eyes and large pupils. All eyes have at least some degree of higher-order aberrations, however the effects on vision will vary depending on the individual.

Custom/wavefront LASIK results in an extremely customized laser correction of the eye's surface, carefully guided according to an analysis of vision flaws which occur as light is filtered through the cornea. The actual procedure for the purpose of assessing a custom LASIK treatment depends on the implementation of a wavefront instrument to transmit a ray of light directly into your eye. Custom LASIK utilizes a wavefront analyzer to look at the manner by which light travels through a person's eye. The wavefront analyzer produces a unique 3-D map that shows problems in terms of how images are processed. If the light beam is altered as a result of optical aberrations (higher order) the wavefront possesses a disrupted pattern.

Wavefronts within the human eyeball can be measured by computerized instruments known as aberrometers. Wavefront aberrometers gauge the refractive flaws in the eye, which includes nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism as well as a wide range of higher-order aberrations. The aberrometer then exhibits a very comprehensive, three-dimensional "map" of all the optical irregularities of the eye. Data contained in the map directs the laser in customizing the process to enhance the shape of the eye's corneal surface area to ensure that these types of problems may be repaired.

Visual recuperation following custom LASIK surgery is essentially similar to the recovery time frame after standard forms of LASIK. The vast majority of patients usually resume normal activity on the day of the procedure. Scientific studies are ongoing involved in broadening the scope of vision complications (including high myopia) that could be repaired using a version of custom LASIK. Custom LASIK cost is normally considerably more compared to traditional laser eye surgery, due to the fact that surgeons have to pay a larger royalty payment to the device supplier for every single operation.

Search for eye surgeons that specialize in custom LASIK in the directory.