Frequently Asked Wavefront Questions

• What are higher-order aberrations and Wavefront technology?
• How does Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK vision outcome compare to traditional LASIK?
• Is WaveFront Customized IntraLASIK more expensive?
• What kind of results can I expect?
• What if I am not 20/20? How permanent are the results?
• How well will I see after having WaveFront-Guided Customized IntraLASIK performed?

What are higher-order aberrations and Wavefront technology?

Glasses, contacts, and traditional LASIK only correct lower order aberrations, which include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. There are other higher-order aberrations that are subtle focusing abnormalities that are unique for each person's eye. Left untreated, these aberrations can affect the quality of vision and night vision. The testing of these aberrations provides a Wavefront Map that is downloaded into the excimer laser to customize the treatment for each patient's eye. When the WaveFront Map is treated, a higher percentage of patients are 20/20, more patients are better than 20/20, and the night vision is markedly improved.

How does Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK vision outcome compare to traditional LASIK?

Visual outcomes are better with Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK when compared to traditional LASIK. More patients are 20/20 or better, and clinical studies have shown that over 95% of patients with Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK are seeing 20/20 or better with a higher percentage of patients seeing 20/15. IntraLASIK is rapidly becoming known as the key ingredient to optimizing vision results in laser vision correction by offering a new level of predictability to each patient in all parts of the procedure: customized diagnosis with Wavefront mapping technology, a custom corneal flap procedure with the IntraLase FS, and a customized Wavefront treatment. Dr. Boothe believes IntraLASIK is the essential ingredient of this strategy of obtaining your best vision while maintaining the highest standards for safety and patient care.

Is WaveFront Customized IntraLASIK more expensive?

In general, offering the most advanced technology is costly. Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center carries the latest FDA approved excimer lasers capable of Wavefront Customized treatments, however, because Dr. Boothe specializes in laser vision correction, our fees are highly competitive and our patients tell us the added level of safety and assurance offered by Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center is well worth the cost when considering laser vision correction surgery.

Compared to the lifetime cost of glasses, contact lens, and general lens care over the course of 5-6 years, Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK pays for itself. Patients can eliminate glasses in most cases and have clear, natural vision. Most insurance companies do not cover laser vision correction, but with easy payment options, patients can have IntraLASIK for as little as $50 a month. Flex Plan dollars are also accepted.

What kind of results can I expect?

While laser vision correction has proven overwhelmingly successful, how well and how quickly your vision improves depends on how well you heal and the degree of correction required. In patients in the low to moderate range of correction having Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK, 95% are 20/20 or better, or are within one line of their best-corrected vision. This means they no longer need glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch TV, and participate in careers requiring excellent vision such as being a pilot, police officer, or firefighter. In a recent study, 98% of patients treated with CustomVue by VISX could pass their drivers license test almost immediately.

What if I am not 20/20? How permanent are the results?

Approximately 5% of low to moderate corrections under respond to the laser treatment and are not 20/20. Few would actually need glasses for their temporary vision needs. All of these patients are reevaluated at 3-6 months for an additional laser treatment, called an "enhancement." Almost everyone is 20/20 after an enhancement procedure. A person rarely shows under correction many months or years later, and this under correction can also be treated with an enhancement. Once the vision is stable at the 6-12 month point, less than 1% of patients would ever need to come back for more laser treatment.

How well will I see after having WaveFront-Guided Customized IntraLASIK performed?

Although results vary depending on each individual, the majority of patients say that the quality of their vision is better after the procedure than with their prior glasses or contact lens. This is proving to be the case in both clinical studies where patients report by questionnaire before and after the procedure, as well as research where subtle contrast sensitivity (vision in dim illumination) is measured before and after the procedure. Because higher-order aberrations are corrected with Wavefront Customized IntraLASIK, patients categorically report improved night vision and less glare or halos than with traditional LASIK.

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