Custom LASIK With Wavefront Technology
Your vision is unique - as personal as your fingerprint or your DNA.
The first patients ever treated worldwide with Custom LASIK were in July 1999. Using Wavefront technology in the European trials a percentage of patients treated with Custom LASIK were able to achieve better than 20/20 vision, and even those that did not, still appreciated improvements in their night vision and contrast sensitivity.
The CustomVue procedure tailors a distinct correction for each individual – in fact each treatment is “designed” by the unique characteristics of the individuals’ eyes. WaveScan technology
captures unique imperfections in each individual’s vision that could not have been measured before. The WaveScan WaveFront System is an ophthalmic diagnostic instrument that measures the refractive error and wavefront aberrations of the human eye using a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. The measurements can be used to determine regular (sphero-cylindrical) refractive errors and irregularities (aberrations) that cause decreased or blurry vision in the human eye. The WaveScan software uses the information to create a custom tailored correction map for the unique characteristics of each individual eye.
WaveScan technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. This technology has now been applied to laser vision correction, measuring imperfections in the eye never before measured using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses. WaveScan-based digital technology identifies and measures imperfections in your eyes 25 times more precisely than standard methods. The powerful WaveScan software translates the information into a set of Custom treatment instructions for the laser. These digital treatment instructions are then transferred to the laser, driving a new level of precision and accuracy. Until now, eye doctors were forced to practice one-size-fits-all vision. An off-the-shelf lens can correct your vision fairly well, but it is not uniquely tailored to your fingerprint of vision. Now, with WaveScan technology, your eye doctor can custom tailor a correction for the unique characteristics of your vision.
Beyond Glasses and Contacts
Glasses and contacts are limited in their ability to correct unique imperfections in each individual's vision. In fact, thousands of individuals have the same prescription. With the CustomVue procedure, no two “prescriptions” are identical.
This precise level of measurement and treatment can enable individuals to achieve the full potential of their vision.
This is the most revolutionary advance to occur to vision correction surgery since LASIK was introduced several years ago. For patients who have more complex prescriptions, or unusual corneal shapes or who simply want the very best technology has to offer, CustomVue will offer substantial benefits. Higher potential for perfect vision and lower potential for visual complications are the two primary benefits touted for the CustomVue approach.
Clinical Study Results
VISX's FDA clinical study results were remarkable. Among other things:
At one year after the VISX CustomVue procedure;
- • 100% of the clinical study participants could pass a driving test without glasses or contacts
- • 98% of the clinical study participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts
- • 70% of the clinical study participants could see 20/16 or better without glasses or contacts
Four times as many clinical study participants were very satisfied with their night vision after the VISX CustomVue procedure, compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts.
A word of caution:
It is important not to get caught up in the Wavefront hype promoted by many laser manufactures promising "Supervision", as only a percentage of patients will achieve vision beyond their glasses and contact lenses. There is little doubt that Wavefront technology has superceded current non-custom laser procedures, however, healing plays a significant role in what visual result any individual patient may achieve. That is, no matter how ideal a laser ablation pattern we are able to create, there are numerous surgical and healing factors that affect the final visual outcome.
All Patients must read the informed consent, and the "Patient Information Booklet."