What is "Wavefront" or "Custom" LASIK?

The Eye Center'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.

The eye chart on the left illustrates what vision might be like with significant amounts of "higher order aberration." The eye chart on the right illustrates the increased clarity that might be achieved with Wavefront Custom LASIK which measures and addresses these higher order aberrations.

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, 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.

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.

On the left, a 3-dimensional vision map represents distortions in vision detected by a Wavescan measurement. On the right is a vision map without any distortions at all. Wavefront Custom LASIK addresses the unique distortions of your cornea in an effort minimize these distortions or "higher order aberrations" after 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, our surgeons 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 The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, at 262-637-0500 to schedule this free, hour-long personal consultation.

Among the first in Racine/ Kenosha area to offer the new, advanced CustomVue Wavefront Technology!!!
20/20 or better vision in 98% of FDA-monitored patients
Schedule a free consult today to see if you're a candidate!