Wavefront Guided LASIK uses advanced technology to measure aberrations within the eye to a higher level of accuracy and then apply those more accurate measurements to the laser pattern that is applied to the cornea.

Wavefront Measurements began with the Hubble telescope. Optical aberrations within the mirrors of the Hubble telescope were causing the photographs taken to lose resolution. While the errors were only measurable at a microscopic level, these high order aberrations were significant enough to delude the effects of the world’s most powerful microscope. New technology was need in order to correct for these aberrations.

With advancements in wavefront guided technology, LASIK was suddenly able to make the same adjustments to the human optical system. While the human eyeball is much smaller than the massive mirrors used on the Hubble telescope, microscopic changes in the eye result in less than optimal vision. The human eye is able to detect changes in light as low as just a few photons of light under the right circumstances. This high level of exactness can be distorted by higher order aberrations that were likely being created during LASIK surgery.

Since each eye is unique, no one pattern could be applied to every eye in order to correct higher order aberrations. This uniqueness can be measured by reflecting a wave of light of the back of the eye (at the retina). As the wave returned back through the cornea the entire eyes optical correction could be measured accurately.

Wavefront guided LASIK relies on these accurate measurements. Once the wavefront is measured it can be used to personalize the pattern of laser ablation. Each person’s eyes might have varying amounts of near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. They can also have varying amounts of higher order aberrations, such as coma, trefoil, spherical aberration, as well as numerous other types of optical aberrations.

The most exciting part about wavefront guided LASIK technology is that it has the potential of correcting eyesight to a level of precision and acuity that is even greater than what is possible with contact lenses or glasses. While wavefront guided LASIK can correct for spherical aberration, coma, and trefoil, glasses and contact lenses currently do not have that same ability.

Results using wavefront guided LASIK have been shown to be better than the results using the same laser without using the wavefront guidance. In addition to this, wavefront guided LASIK has shown a decrease in glare and haloes when compared to conventional LASIK.

Can Everyone Use Wavefront Guided LASIK?

In the majority of cases, wavefront guided LASIK is a possibility. There are certainly exceptions to this. In some cases, wavefront guided LASIK might require more tissue than conventional LASIK. In these cases, conventional LASIK might be recommended or the surgeon might recommend that laser vision correction is not a good option or that another type of laser ablation, such as PRK or Epi-LASEK might be recommended.

It is also possible that wavefront guided measurements are not possible due to extreme levels of astigmatism or nearsightedness or farsightedness. In some cases a small pupil might make obtaining wavefront measurements difficult.

Are all wavefront LASIK machines the same?

Each excimer laser company has developed its own wavefront aberrometer. These machines have varying degrees of accuracy and therefore the effectiveness of these wavefront LASIK machines must vary as well. In the USA, make certain that the surgeon is using an FDA approved excimer laser. Also make certain that the wavefront guided LASIK system has been approved as well. Some have not.

In Europe and Asia there are advanced excimer lasers that have not passed FDA approval but will in the future. These have wavefront guided capabilities that are accurate as well. Make certain you are aware of what system will be utilized on your eyes prior to surgery. If the doctor recommends against wavefront guided LASIK in your case, find out the reason why. It is rare when wavefront guided LASIK is not the best option for you.

There are many surgeons who have not adapted to the newest technology and therefore don’t feel comfortable using wavefront guided ablations during LASIK. I would recommend that you visit other LASIK surgeons. In most cases, the best surgeons will recommend wavefront guided LASIK. Seek referrals from other eye or health care professionals. They can help guided you to LASIK surgeons with an excellent reputation in your area.