One of the primary improvements in the technology used in vision correction surgery is wavefront technology, which provides an advanced method for measuring optical distortions in the eye. Measuring and treating these distortions goes well beyond just determining if you are nearsighted, farsighted, and/or have an astigmatism. As a result, physicians can now customize the LASIK procedure according to each individual patient’s unique vision correction needs. Wavefront-guided LASIK is unique to each eye. Wavefront systems work by measuring how light is distorted as it passes into the eye and then is reflected back. This creates an optical map of the eye, highlighting individual imperfections and is as unique to each person as their fingerprint.

According to the Eye Surgery Education Council, a leading group for which Emory Vision’s Medical Director, Doyle Stulting, MD PhD, has served in leadership roles, states that wavefront technology functions as a roadmap for LASIK surgery, providing benefits to the patient during both the evaluation and treatment process.

The Council has established the following:

• During the patient evaluation process, wavefront provides the physician comprehensive individual diagnostic information, not available using earlier technologies. Thus, before surgery even begins, the surgeon is better able to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
• During treatment, wavefront allows the surgeon to tailor the laser beam settings, making the surgical procedure itself more precise. In this way, wavefront technology offers the patients sharper, crisper, better quality vision, as well as a reduction in nighttime vision difficulties, such as halos and glare.
• Wavefront technology is an adjunct tool used to enhance an already safe and effective procedure. As the most common form of vision correction surgery, LASIK has already benefited millions of patients. The increased safety and the improved quality of vision benefits of customized procedures are an important technological advancement for patients and physicians alike.

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