Laser Eye Surgery Articles                

Wavefront LASIK laser eye surgery explained..21 Aug 09

Fed up with glasses and/or contact lenses, you have decided to undergo laser eye surgery.

As you know, research into both your eye condition and the clinics, procedures and available surgeons is vital.

Although Lasik surgery cost is one of the main factors to be considered, you should not base your selection of clinic or surgeon on Lasik surgery cost alone.

Many clinics today are in a position to offer finance to patients and will be happy to explain these Lasik surgery cost arrangements to you.

Each clinic has their own preferred financial package. Some require a small deposit, others request a 50% deposit, and the balance of your Lasik surgery cost can be paid monthly over an agreed period of time.

You have carried out the necessary research, selected your clinic and eye specialist, have had your consultation and examination and your specialist has recommended the use of Wavefront Lasik Laser Eye surgery equipment.

Wavefront is another form of laser treatment, which goes a little further than conventional laser eye surgery. Conventional laser eye surgery treats the area based on the patient's optical prescription and treatment is in the form of a pattern programmed into the system by the surgeon, but it can leave the patient with some night vision problems such as glare and halos.

Wavefront Optimised Lasik takes not only the patient's prescription into account but also deals with corneal curvature and thickness as it uniquely applies its laser energy around the corneal area. This type of procedure has also been known to avoid the complications of glare, halos and night sight which can occur following conventional laser treatment.

Wavefront-guided Lasik, sometimes known as custom Lasik or Wavefront Lasik, is very much like conventional Lasik eye treatment, however, this procedure takes things a little further. Not only does it treat a patient's basic eye error, specific alterations in the eye can also be detected and treated during the Wavefront procedure.

Should your surgeon decide Wavefront-guided Lasik is the best option for you, prior to your surgery a special mapping process is carried out which identifies any little irregularities in the eye which can be treated during surgery. These irregularities are detected by checking how lightwaves actually move through the eye.

The Wavefront system individually guides how the cornea is reshaped achieving the Lasik ablation required to correct your problems. In severe cases these irregularities can affect not only the quality of your vision, both day and particularly night, but also contrast sensitivity.

The equipment will generate an individual Wavefront map, the details of which will be programmed on to the computer system directing the laser and during surgery these irregularities will be treated accordingly. Again, this is another form of laser eye surgery where the risk of glare, halos and night vision complications are reduced.

Following surgery, a protective shield will be placed around the eye area to stop you trying to rub your eye as the cornea is very delicate after any laser treatment. You will be given antiseptic eyedrops, and possibly cream, as well as an appointment for a follow on visit to the clinic the next day.