Custom LASIK Eye Surgery Information

Custom LASIK eye surgery is also known as wavefront LASIK or in some cases it is known as wavefront-guided LASIK. To perform this procedure a three-dimensional measurement is taken of the eye to see how is processes images. This measurement is then used to guide the laser as it reshapes the cornea of the eye. Because of the wavefront measurement system, extremely accurate, individualized vision correction can be accomplished. Glasses or contact lenses would not be able to achieve the vision correction required by the patient. For a patient to receive wavefront or custom LASIK, the patient must be qualified by the guidelines set down by the FDA. A patient can only be considered as a candidate for custom LASIK eye surgery based on certain factors, such as the custom laser system, and the suitable thickness of the cornea with mild to moderately high degrees of common vision defects, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The eye’s ability to focus light rays is measured to create the three-dimensional map, which will show irregularities in the method the eye processes images. The information contained in the map is used to guide the laser in customizing the treatment of reshaping the eye’s corneal surface to correct the irregularities of the eye. The usual prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses or traditional LASIK can correct common vision defects such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, however other irregularities related to the eye’s optical system would not be addressed without the use of wavefront and other technologies used in custom LASIK. Custom LASIK has the potential to improve not only how much you can see, which is visual sharpness measured by the standard eye chart, but also how well you can see, which is in terms of contrast sensitivity and fine detail. Resulting in a reduction of the risk of post-LASIK complication, such as glare, halos, and difficulty with night vision. One popular method of custom LASIK begins with the surgeon utilizing the wavefront device to transmit a safe ray of light into your eye. The light will reflect back off the retina and through the pupil into the device, where the reflected wave of light is received and set into a unique pattern, which captures you lower and higher order irregularity. The vision abnormalities are then displayed as a three-dimensional map, also known as the wavefront map. The information is electronically transmitted to the laser and the computer-matched to the eye’s position. This enables the surgeon to customize the LASIK procedure to fit the unique visual requirements of the patient. Research is continuing into expanding the degree of vision error to be corrected using the custom LASIK. Research is in progress for the use of custom LASIK to create multifocal corrections. This will enable older eyes that have developed presbyopia to see at near, middle, and distant ranges at the same time, which is for now being corrected with reading glasses. To learn more about custom LASIK as well as CK surgery (conductive keratoplasty), cataracts and cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, and other eye care issues, it is important to speak with a skilled San Antonio LASIK surgeon in order to schedule a consultation.