Eye Healthy Care Information

Traditional LASIK surgery achieves a simple correction of focusing power by reshaping the cornea with the aid of a laser. Wavefront LASIK is a variation of that conventional procedure and accomplishes a spatially varying correction based on readings from a wavefront sensor. In essence, a wavefront sensor measures the eye itself. It detects any aberrations by directing a weak laser source into the eye, and by sampling and processing the reflection off the retina.

Wavefront measurements reveal the irregularities of the lens, which cause optical aberrations (any deviation from a desired perfect planar wavefront). Wavefront custom sculpts the cornea to accomplish corrected vision. In many ways, Wavefront offers better results than traditional LASIK. The procedure is carried out by an ophthalmologist, with the aid of sophisticated computer-controlled equipment.

LASIK has certain potential side effects including halos or glare, which are caused due to induced spherical aberration. Wavefront has helped reduce instances of such cases where patients complain of post-operative halos or glares. A drop in such complaints is owing to the precise measurements provided by the wavefront sensor.

Thus Wavefront can help achieve a more optically perfect eye, since the corneal tissue area to be carved is measured more precisely using advanced technology and tools. But, wavefront aberrations are not the sole cause for all types of vision impairments. Therefore, Wavefront LASIK should not be treated as a panacea for all kinds of vision defects. However, eye surgeons claim that a great deal of success has been accomplished in patient satisfaction, relative to earlier refractive surgery procedures.

Though wavefront technology has been used for years by astronomers who require adjusting their telescope optics, its application to human vision has been discovered only recently. It’s true that Wavefront is a superior procedure, but it’s certainly not required by or suitable for everyone. It is imperative that you go through an elaborate wavefront diagnostic to determine if you are a potential candidate for it.

Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about custom wavefront LASIK at Your Lasik Information. The LASIK Surgeons Directory will help you find a LASIK doctor.

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-LASIK.info

Share This

You might have come across eye centers touting outrageous offers of “20/20 vision or your money back”. The whole concept of 20/20 vision has been ballyhooed immensely when it comes to laser eye surgery. In essence, the value 20/20 refers to a way of measuring visual acuity via the Snellen eye chart - the same old alphabet chart that you might have seen at a nearby eye care center. As an instance of Snellen measurement, people with 20/40 vision can see clearly at 20 feet what people with 20/20 vision can see clearly at 40 feet.

With the latest technological advancements in laser eye surgery, the conventional LASIK procedure has been augmented with superlative techniques like wavefront LASIK, and its add-on, iris registration. With such enhancements there is an even greater chance of 20/20 vision relative to that with conventional LASIK. By wielding wavefront technology there is a great, around 95%, chance of 20/20 vision. However, with the iris registration technology, the possibility of 20/20 vision skyrockets to an overwhelming 99%.

20/20 vision is what you aim for while undergoing any type of refractive surgery - it’s used as a benchmark. However, some people hold a somewhat dissenting opinion about 20/20 vision, as far as laser eye surgery is concerned. The argument put forth is that visual quality matters more than visual acuity. As is evident from a number of cases, laser eye surgeries, for instance LASIK, have potential complications. A patient might experience blurry vision, halos, ghost vision or double vision, glare, and starbursts surrounding light sources at night.

Normal vision is crisp and sharp. But after laser eye surgery, a person might have to deal with debilitating side effects, which typically diminish vision quality. Though the patient might still be able to decipher a 20/20 line on the Snellen chart, the vision might be blurry. Unless the complications subside, eye surgeons’ famous promise of 20/20 vision is merely a myth.

In general, the degree of refractive error and the pupil size are the only criteria while determining the candidature of a patient for laser eye surgery. Most patients are not tested on other grounds, such as contrast sensitivity, glare and depth perception. The data pertinent to such aspects is fairly anecdotal. A comprehensive preoperative test regime is necessary for achieving authentic 20/20 vision (with enhanced vision quality) after laser eye surgery.

If you find a LASIK surgery that you are confident with, you will be able to get more information about 20/20 vision.

The LASIK Surgery Directory - find a LASIK surgery. Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports, provides news and views about LASIK laser eye surgery and 20/20 vision at Your Lasik Information.

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-LASIK.info

Share This

LASIK is the most prevalent of all refractive eye surgery procedures. Though it’s quite intricate when we take into account the technology wielded by it, superficially, LASIK is a simplistic procedure that takes only about half an hour to accomplish. However, it is the postoperative period of LASIK that is often a source of mild discomfort to the patients. This is when the corneal flap, which was cut out during surgery, acts as a natural bandage and the cornea is healed - the healing time after LASIK surgery.

In general, LASIK allows for a rapid visual recovery. Most patients experience enhanced vision within a few days after surgery. However, don’t expect to jump off the operation table after surgery - the effects are not instantaneous. The refractive error will be corrected at the time of surgery but your vision may be blurry or hazy for the first day at least. It’s better to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery, since you certainly won’t be in a position to do it by yourself.

Though LASIK has several potential complications that might set in during the healing period, one of the most common is the dry eye condition. The surgeon would typically prescribe certain eye drops to avert infection and moisten the eyes. Regular postoperative checkups are pivotal during the healing period, since they help evaluate the recovery progress. The first follow up visit should typically be around 24-48 hours after surgery, and should be followed by regular visits until the first six months after surgery.

God forbid, any complications occur, your visual acuity will be restored within a few days. Any fluctuations or side effects normally subside and the prescription stabilizes within six months following surgery. However, the complete healing of the corneal flap may take up to a year or so, and the healing period may vary from one patient to another. What’s imperative is that the healing process must be meticulously monitored by the surgeon. Thus your main concern is to stick to a follow up visit schedule, and to heed to your surgeon’s advice on postoperative care.

If you find a LASIK surgeon that you are confident with, you will be able to get more information about post LASIK healing times.

The LASIK Surgeons Directory - find a LASIK surgeon. Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports, provides news and views about LASIK eye surgery healing times at Your Lasik Information.

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-LASIK.info

Share This