Traditional LASIK surgery achieves a simple correction of focusing power by reshaping the cornea with the aid of a laser. Wavefront LASIK is a variation of that conventional procedure and accomplishes a spatially varying correction based on readings from a wavefront sensor. In essence, a wavefront sensor measures the eye itself. It detects any aberrations by directing a weak laser source into the eye, and by sampling and processing the reflection off the retina.
Wavefront measurements reveal the irregularities of the lens, which cause optical aberrations (any deviation from a desired perfect planar wavefront). Wavefront custom sculpts the cornea to accomplish corrected vision. In many ways, Wavefront offers better results than traditional LASIK. The procedure is carried out by an ophthalmologist, with the aid of sophisticated computer-controlled equipment.
LASIK has certain potential side effects including halos or glare, which are caused due to induced spherical aberration. Wavefront has helped reduce instances of such cases where patients complain of post-operative halos or glares. A drop in such complaints is owing to the precise measurements provided by the wavefront sensor.
Thus Wavefront can help achieve a more optically perfect eye, since the corneal tissue area to be carved is measured more precisely using advanced technology and tools. But, wavefront aberrations are not the sole cause for all types of vision impairments. Therefore, Wavefront LASIK should not be treated as a panacea for all kinds of vision defects. However, eye surgeons claim that a great deal of success has been accomplished in patient satisfaction, relative to earlier refractive surgery procedures.
Though wavefront technology has been used for years by astronomers who require adjusting their telescope optics, its application to human vision has been discovered only recently. It's true that Wavefront is a superior procedure, but it's certainly not required by or suitable for everyone. It is imperative that you go through an elaborate wavefront diagnostic to determine if you are a potential candidate for it.
Wavefront Lasik Eye Surgery
In order to understand the effectiveness of wavefront-guided LASIK, we must first have a quick roundup on the natural imperfections of the eye. The cornea and the crystalline lens are not perfect, and light rays passing through the eye are subject to being distorted due to these imperfections. These distortions are termed as “aberrations", which are categorized as lower order and higher order aberrations.
Lower order aberrations constitute a major chunk (90% or more) of these aberrations, and lead to the more prevalent refractive errors, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. These vision anomalies can be compensated for by corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses, or can be treated through conventional surgical procedures like PRK, LASIK or LASEK. However, the remaining 10% optical aberrations, also known as higher order aberrations, give birth to anomalies that cannot be cured via conventional LASIK.
Such a scenario necessitates the use of wavefront-guided LASIK.
Since higher order aberrations are entirely unique to a particular patient, much like fingerprints, a wavefront analysis system (known as an Aberrometer) is used to measure these aberrations. The Aberrometer is digitally interfaced with a sophisticated, computer controlled laser, which is directed in a precise manner over the cornea. In essence, the laser custom sculpts the cornea – a completely customized reshaping of the corneal surface.
The procedure employed by the wavefront analyzer to measure higher order aberrations would appear quite complex to a layman.
At first, a ray of light is passed through the eye and is reflected off the retina as an outgoing wavefront. This wavefront is compared against a planar wavefront, in order to determine both lower and higher order aberrations. These aberrations are displayed on a monitor screen in the form of precise 3D images. This information is then used for a custom ablation of the cornea, with the aid of an excimer laser eye surgery system interfaced with the Aberrometer.
On the whole, the conventional LASIK procedure would suffice for the treatment of common lower order aberrations, such as myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism.
However, higher order visual defects normally call for a much advanced surgical procedure like wavefront-guided LASIK.
If you find a LASIK doctor that you are confident about you will be able to get more information about wavefront guided LASIK.
Both Nicola Kennedy & Ns Kennedy Kennedy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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