From shoes to bicycles, most things can be customized to fit the size and shape of your body. LASIK surgery is no exception — vision problems that are unique to your eyes can be corrected through a sophisticated procedure called custom LASIK.
Custom LASIK surgery, also known as wavefront LASIK, is a relatively new procedure that uses advanced technology to measure and analyze the unique visual characteristics of each eye. This special eye-mapping software is what sets custom LASIK apart from standard bladeless LASIK and PRK surgeries — precise measurements taken with wavefront technology match the exact size and shape of your eyes, which results in a completely customized form of vision correction.
While standard bladeless LASIK and PRK are both safe, effective procedures for improving vision, custom LASIK does have a few extra benefits. Let’s review.
Custom LASIK Uses The Most Advanced Laser Technology Available
Custom LASIK uses wavefront technology, which allows your doctor to create a three-dimensional map of each eye. This detailed “blueprint” helps to analyze imperfections in your vision with a higher degree of accuracy than the standard measurements used for glasses or contacts.
Advanced wavefront technology has changed the field of ophthalmology, as medical practices can now offer LASIK vision correction that is uniquely tailored to an individual’s eyes. Today, eye surgeons can use wavefront technology to measure and treat eye problems that previously couldn’t be detected. This is often beneficial for patients with less common eye problems that can’t be corrected with prescription glasses or contacts.
Here at New England Eye Center, cornea-trained surgeon Helen Wu, M.D. uses the FDA-approved Alcon WaveLight® Refractive Suite for custom LASIK procedures, which is the fastest refractive surgery platform available in the United States.
Custom LASIK Increases Your Chances Of Achieving 20/20 Vision
In ophthalmology, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are called lower-order aberrations, or refractive errors. Higher-order aberrations are different and include eye problems such as contrast sensitivity, poor night vision or glare.
While conventional LASIK treatments are effective for lower-order aberrations, custom LASIK can treat both lower- and higher-order aberrations, which helps increase the patient’s chance of achieving 20/20 vision without glasses. Some patients have even achieved vision greater than 20/20 after custom LASIK surgery.
Custom LASIK Results In Fewer Eye Complications
When the Alcon WaveLight® Refractive Suite was approved by the FDA in 2013, studies showed that post-surgery eye complications were generally milder after custom LASIK was performed. Fewer patients experienced sensitivity to light, eye dryness and difficulty driving at night. Symptoms continued to improve with time after surgery, and none were rated “severe.”
While most people are excellent candidates for custom LASIK, patients with thin corneas or corneal scarring may benefit from PRK vision correction, instead — the PRK procedure does not involve creating a corneal flap, which is recommended for people born with unique corneas.
Want to know if custom LASIK is right for you? The LASIK and PRK experts at the New England Eye Center will analyze your eye care needs and develop a personal care plan to optimize your vision. Contact our office to schedule a consultation today.
