Wavefront-guided LASIK is being hailed as the greatest advance in laser vision correction because of its potential to help individuals see even better than 20/20.

Wavefront technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. Its adaptation to laser vision correction incorporated detailed measuring of imperfections in the eye.

Conventional laser vision correction before Wavefront corrected spherical and cylindrical errors, known as lower order aberrations. This precision was limited to 0.25 diopter steps. Wavefront uses a sophisticated diagnostic test called the Wave Scan which measures up to the hundredths of a diopter. Additionally, the Wave Scan's "waveprint" takes into account a series of higher-order aberrations which provide extremely detailed information about the entire visual system.

All of the WaveScan data - which is contained in a report called the WavePrint - can be transferred to the VISX Star S4 laser for Custom Wavefront-guided LASIK to provide a new level of accuracy and precision.

Prior to FDA approval, clinical studies were conducted. More than 90 percent of the study participants undergoing wavefront LASIK could see 20/20 or better; 74% could see 20/16 or better, and 27% could see 20/15 or better. Also, nearly 70 percent had either the same or better post-op vision than their best visual acuity with glasses or contacts. Additionally, four times as many participants were very satisfied with their night vision compared to night vision with glasses or contacts.

Because wavefront-guided LASIK utilizes the same surgical process as traditional LASIK, you can be reassured that more than several million LASIK procedures have been successfully performed.

Your Today's Vision doctor in conjunction with the surgeon will determine if you may benefit from Wavefront-guided LASIK.