LASIK Wavefront surgery continues to advance in technology and provides over a million eyes with excellent vision every year in the United States. Despite its phenomenal success, LASIK surgery is not without its controversy and patients can often be confused by the marketing information that is provided to patients. LASIK technology and the excimer laser systems used in LASIK surgery is one area of some confusion.
In regards to LASIK laser vision correction, there are several technologies that are important to consider. The first is the excimer laser system that will be used. All excimer laser systems are not equal. It is safe to say that regardless of the skill of the surgeon, any excimer laser system in use prior to 2001 is definitely outdated and cannot provide an adequate level of accuracy and performance. It is generally recommended for a patient to have wavefront correction unless the surgeon can provide a reason that this laser vision correction procedure would not be ideal.
What is wavefront correction? Wavefront measurements rely upon numerous rays of light to determine the correction needed for the entire optical system. It creates a very detailed image of the eye’s optical system and is more exact than a glasses or contact lens prescription that can be obtained at an optometrist’s office. These detailed measurements have been shown to provide an increased level of vision performance after LASIK surgery and patients who have wavefront LASIK correction are measured with fewer post-surgery optical aberrations.
Many LASIK surgeons no longer ask patients if they would prefer standard LASIK or Wavefront LASIK. They have decided that wavefront LASIK provides a higher degree of visual success and therefore provide wavefront LASIK to every patient.
In fact, wavefront LASIK is not all equal. With many different wavefront excimer laser systems on the market, you should find out the strengths and weakness of the various systems. Ask your surgeon which system they use and why. Find out what they feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the other systems.
Come visit with Dr. Stephen Turner to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK vision correction. Turner Eye Institute is a leading vision correction clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. It provides treatment for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, difficulty reading, and many other eye problems. Call and talk to our friendly staff.