Custom Wavefront LASIK

Laser Refractive Surgery (LASIK, PRK,LASEK) has successfully corrected the vision of over 6 million people. An estimated 98% of conventional laser vision correction patients now see 20/20 to 20/40 without glasses. However, traditional LASIK can only address the visual distortions (aberrations) that account for about 85-90% of the quality of vision. Recently, refractive surgeons have learned that there are additional optical imperfections in the eye that affect vision and can account for such symptoms as glare, halos around lights, ghost images or poor quality of vision. These so-called higher-order aberrations can now be detected with an instrument called a Wavefront analyzer, also known as an aberrometer. As shown in clinical studies, this precise level of measurement and correction improves the potential to achieve 20/20 vision or better.*

Until recently surgeons measured the prescription for laser vision correction using exactly the same techniques that are used to prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. The laser treated identical prescriptions exactly the same for all eyes. Today, Gordon & Weiss Vision Institute offers the newest technology to direct our lasers to provide a custom surgical procedure specifically designed for the individual eye. It not only corrects the error(s) from the eyeglass prescription, but also corrects the higher-order aberrations that can lead to the other 10% to 15% of visual distortions affecting your quality of vision. We call it All Laser High-Definition Vision™ and for many patients it can deliver even better results than current conventional treatment used by most eye surgeons.

Each of our lasers are capable of customized laser treatment. The first step is to generate a wavefront map by passing a narrow ray of invisible infrared light through the eye. The goal is to measure distortions in the eye’s entire optical system. The wavefront information is then downloaded to a floppy disk and transferred directly to the laser. At Gordon & Weiss Vision Institute we have the unique ability to select the laser that has the potential to provide the best results for our patients.

At your consultation, you will undergo a wavefront analysis in addition to other sophisticated tests, using one of our two aberrometers. Your surgeon will then base the decision regarding your treatment on which laser to use after a complete eye examination and analysis of your pupil diameter, corneal thickness, corneal curvature, corneal topography (shape) and wavefront analysis.

The risks associated with All Laser High-Definition Vision™ treatment are the same as those with any form of laser vision correction. The ability to control higher-order aberrations and to reduce or eliminate any potential increase in these distortions makes custom laser vision correction a particularly desirable procedure. The improved software programs for All Laser High-Definition Vision™ procedures have improved upon the excellent visual results that are currently obtained with conventional laser vision correction.

*Studies comparing results of wavefront LASIK with conventional LASIK found that 90 to 94 percent of patients receiving wavefront LASIK achieved visual acuity of 20/20 or better whereas up to 80 percent of those receiving conventional LASIK achieved 20/20 or better. American Academy of Ophthalmology, Wavefront LASIK Advances Refractive Surgery, October 3, 2003