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One-to-One LASIK 's " Wavefront
Customized" LASIK incorporates technology that
is setting a new standard for laser vision correction. Wavefront technology
allows us to measure and address the unique imperfections
of each individual's vision and to design treatments
that have the potential to deliver even better vision
than is possible with glasses or contact lenses.
Wavefront technology was originally
developed to reduce distortions in high-powered space telescopes.
We use it to detect and measure minor vision distortions
known as "higher order aberrations." Just as every individual
has a unique set of fingerprints, every eye has its own
unique pattern of higher order aberrations. Wavefront
Custom LASIK allows us to map your "vision fingerprint" and
to use that map to design a LASIK treatment
that is unique to your eye.
What are Higher Order Aberrations?
It is the ability to address the minor distortions of
vision, called "higher order aberrations", that distinguishes Wavefront
Custom LASIK from conventional LASIK .
All of us have some degree of higher order aberrations
affecting our vision. "Conventional" LASIK treats
vision disorders that most everyone has about, such as
nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Higher
order aberrations are more subtle distortions of vision
that you've probably not heard about. They have names like
coma, trefoil, tetrafoil, and spherical aberration. The
reason you've probably never heard about these higher order
distortions before is that, until Wavefront Custom
LASIK , we had no way of measuring them or treating
them. Glasses and contact lenses treat nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism, but not higher order aberrations.
They do so by placing a uniform amount of corrective power
over the whole surface of the cornea. Conventional LASIK also
treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
and also does so by applying a uniform amount of corrective
power over the whole area of treatment on the cornea. By
contrast, Wavefront Custom LASIK allows
us to deliver different amounts of power to different parts
of the cornea in order to minimize or reduce higher order
aberrations.
Taking higher order aberrations into consideration during LASIK treatment
can, theoretically, allow a higher level of vision than
even the best glasses or contacts or conventional LASIK .
FDA-monitored research studies suggest that, for appropriate
patients, Wavefront Custom LASIK can
provide even more satisfying vision (and especially night
vision) than conventional LASIK .
How are Higher Order Aberrations Measured?
Higher order aberrations are measured with a device called
a " wavefront scanner." Taking a wavefront scan
of the eye takes just a few minutes and is totally painless.
The wavefront scanner shines a light into your eye and
collects that light as it is reflected back out of the
eye. It performs a computerized analysis of how the reflected
light beam was distorted by your eye and then designs a LASIK treatment
plan that will address as many of those distortions as
possible.
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| In Wavefront Custom LASIK, a computerized measurement
called a "Wavescan" is performed before the
procedure. The Wavescan device projects
light waves, painlessly, into the eye and collects
those light waves as they are reflected back out of
the eye. The Wavescan analyzes the unique way
your eye distorts those reflected light waves and determines
how the cornea would have to be re-shaped to minimize
those distortions. This customized treatment
pattern is then programmed into the laser machine. |
How is the Wavefront Custom procedure different
from "Conventional" LASIK?
From a technological point of view, the key difference
between Wavefront Custom LASIK and conventional LASIK is
in the way the laser light is delivered to the eye. With
conventional LASIK , the same amount of
laser treatment is delivered, uniformly, over the treatment
area on the cornea (the clear front window of the eye).
With Wavefront Custom LASIK , different
amounts of treatment are delivered to different areas of
the cornea, in a highly individualized pattern.
The experience of having Wavefront Custom LASIK is
virtually identical to that of having conventional LASIK .
The same laser machine is used. The steps during and after
the procedure are virtually identical. The main difference
is that Wavefront Custom LASIK requires
a painless pre-operative wavefront scan which is not necessary
with conventional LASIK .
What are the advantages of Wavefront Custom LASIK?
FDA-monitored research studies that led to approval of Wavefront
Custom LASIK technology suggest that some patients
achieve a higher level of vision than was typical with
conventional LASIK . Also, patients'
satisfaction with night vision may be even greater with Wavefront
Custom LASIK than with conventional LASIK .
Am I a candidate for Wavefront Custom LASIK?
During your free consultation at One to One LASIK ,
in San Diego , Dr. Sanford Feldman can
determine whether or not you are a candidate for Wavefront
Custom LASIK and discuss any advantages it may
have for your particular vision needs. Please call One
to One LASIK , in San Diego ,
at 858 273-0200 to schedule this free, hour-long personal
consultation with Dr. Feldman . |