Wavefront-Guided LASIK Improves Vision Quality with Minimal Complications (NAPSA)—A promising new technology allows doctors to tailor Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annualscientific sessions in San Francisco. In one study, 96 percent of LASIK surgeries resulted in 20/20 vision, an importantclinical vision standard. In another study, a very high percentage of patients reported complications LASIK, the most common form of laser eye surgery, to the individual terrain of each patient’s eye. The technology is called “wavefront” and plays a role in both diagnosis and treatment, helping to improve visual quality. Studies show that patients who received treatment with the new technology experienced sharper, clearer vision and fewer complications associated with LASIK, such as nighttimevision difficulties. Heather Hughes of Houston, Texas recently had LASIK surgery with wavefront and noticed an improvement in her night vision almost immediately. “At night, especially with my glasses or contacts, I would see little halos around oncoming cars. It was dis- tracting,” she said. “Now, I have more clarity at night with oncoming cars, and even with seeing things crossing the road.” According to Heather’s doctor, Douglas Koch, MD, whois professor of ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, these quality-of-life benefits make a big difference. “Wavefront is tremendously beneficial for patients, because enhanced sharpness and quality of vision with fewer complications means higher satisfaction with the surgery.” Here’s how wavefront works. like light sensitivity (92.4 per- First, a device beams light through the eye, taking detailed measurements as the light bounces back. These measurements are recorded on a virtual three-dimensional map that highlights each patient’s individual visual imperfections. During the LASIK surgery, this mapis used by the surgeon to tailor the laser beam settings, making the procedure customized to the precise vision specifications of that particular patient. For Heather Hughes, this “individualization” was important. “It gave me peace of mind when the doctor ran all the computer readouts of my eye, showing the exact imperfections and what needed to be corrected. That's when I understood that they had the technology to correct myparticular eye.” New data on the surgery was recently presented at the American Society of Cataract and cent), glare (84.7 percent) and night driving difficulties (89.7 percent) were improved or unchanged after wavefront-guided surgery. In response to the emergenceof this cutting-edge technology, the educational arm of the ASCRS, called the Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC), has included information about wavefront in its LASIK Surgery Screening Guidelines for Patients. These first-ever guidelines were created to arm patients with the information they need to make an informed decision about laser eye surgery. The guidelines help patients assess whether they are an ‘ideal,’ ‘less than ideal’ or ‘non’ LASIK candidate, as well as outline what patients should expect from their doctor and from the procedureitself. For more information about wavefront-guided LASIK or to access a copy of the LASIK Surgery Screening Guidelines for Patients, visit the Web site www.eyesurgeryeducation.com or call the Eye Surgery Education Council at 1-800-536-ESEC.
