Traditional LASIK paved the way for custom LASIK, which is also called Wavefront LASIK. This advanced LASIK surgery can create sharper vision than its conventional counterpart. Wavefront LASIK makes use of three-dimensional measurements that illustrate how the eye processes images. These measurements guide the laser as it reshapes the cornea, which is the front portion of the eye. This enables individualized and highly precise vision correction not possible with traditional LASIK.
Patients who have moderate to high levels of hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism may be considered candidates for Wavefront LASIK. The surgeon measures the ability of the eye to focus light rays and a 3-D map is created to show the irregularities in the way the eye processes images. The laser is guided by information on this map, customizing the treatment to correct these irregularities by appropriately reshaping the corneal surface of the eye.
Wavefront procedures are considered groundbreaking because they can improve not only how much a patient can see but also how well they can see, as measured by factors like fine detail and contrast sensitivity. A major result of this is a reduction in the risk of post-surgery complications like night vision problems, halos, and glare. With Wavefront procedures, patients experience both this benefit and a reduced chance of losing visual quality.
How much a person sees is controlled by defects in vision called lower-order aberrations. These are associated with astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, and other common refractive errors and can be treated by traditional LASIK. Higher-order aberrations are more subtle errors and though a traditional eye exam cannot detect them, they can be found and measured through Wavefront analysis. It is the higher order aberrations that determine how well a person sees.
By addressing both lower and higher-order aberrations, Wavefront LASIK results in a greater likelihood of achieving 20/20 vision and also a greater chance of achieving vision better than 20/20. Wavefront patients also have less chance of losing their best-corrected vision. If people have lost their best-corrected vision after undergoing another refractive surgery such as PRK, RK, or traditional LASIK, they may still be eligible for Wavefront LASIK surgery.
Recent surveys reveal that most physicians who practice refractive vision correction surgery use Wavefront LASIK within their practices. The U.S. Navy reported that patients achieved better distance and night vision after undergoing Wavefront LASIK. However, the cost of Wavefront LASIK is higher than that of traditional LASIK, ruling it out as an option for some patients who are otherwise qualified.