LASIK Educational Material
Laser Eye Surgery
Wavefront LASIK - Part One (on a new page)
IntroductionWavefront LASIK - Part Two
Why Wavefront LASIK is important
The goal of Wavefront LASIK
How Wavefront LASIK works
What is the value of wavefront?Wavefront LASIK - Part Three (on a new page)
What is meant by better than 20/20?
Where did wavefront come from?
Who is a good candidate for wavefront LASIK?
What is the VISX WavePrint System?Wavefront LASIK - Part Four (on a new page)
Is Wavefront LASIK safe?
What does wavefront LASIK cost?
Will Dr. Cutarelli depend on me for anything?
I have already had LASIK. Can wavefront help me?
Has any further research been done?
Part Two:
What is the value of Wavefront?
The wavefront system, as it is now used, was developed by VISX, Inc. (VISX.com), the world's largest manufacturer of excimer lasers and was produced specifically for LASIK . Possibly the most promising aspect of its wavefront technology is the ability to help us identify individuals who are not ideal candidates for LASIK , as well as individually customize the procedure for those patients who are.
Wavefront mapping is a giant leap in refractive techniques. Traditionally, glasses/contacts are measured in 0.25 diopter steps, whereas wavefront measures to 0.01 diopters.
No two eyes are alike. Just like fingerprints and DNA, each eye has its own unique characteristics. Now, with wavefront technology, Dr. Cutarelli can develop a customized LASIK vision plan exclusively for you.
What is meant by better than 20/20 vision?
Custom wavefront-guided LASIK can provide a new level of accuracy and precision, never before seen. Studies show the possibility will now exist for individuals to see beyond 20/20 vision after LASIK surgery.
A FDA clinical study presented at the 2003 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS: ascrs.org) revealed that after a year following wavefront-guided LASIK :
98% of study participants had 20/20 vision or better
70% had 20/16 vision or better
23% had 20/12.5 vision or better
Nearly 80 percent had either the same or better post-op vision without glasses than their best pre-op visual acuity with glasses or contacts.
More patients were satisfied with their night vision without glasses or contacts after CustomVue LASIK , when compared to their night vision with glasses or contacts before surgery.
Where did Wavefront come from?The wavefront map is derived from technology first developed to correct distortions of light waves from space. This allowed researchers to accurately view images of stars and planets.
1994 - The first wavefront mapping of the complete aberration
profile of a
human eye
was performed.
1995 - LASIK gained FDA approval.
1999 - The first wavefront LASIK was performed in 1999.
2002 - The FDA
approved the first commercial use of wavefront
LASIK to correct nearsightedness.
Who is a good candidate for Wavefront LASIK?
Normal LASIK candidacy criteria will continue to apply. These include being 21 years or older, having a stable prescription for at least a year, plus other medical criteria. CLICK HERE to take our LASIK TEST!
Continue to: Wavefront, part three .