Is Wavefront LASIK Eye Surgery For You?

Is Wavefront LASIK Eye Surgery For You?

LASIK eye surgery has helped millions of people correct their vision. It's become one of those things that we take for granted, but without it we'd be back in the stone ages. It wasn't very long ago that we were forced to wear either glasses or contact lenses, if we had vision problems. Fortunately, those times are a thing of the past, thanks to LASIK eye surgery. LASIK is an acronym that stands for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. This is a corrective eye procedure that creates a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome blade, and then uses a laser to reshape the cornea. As the LASIK surgery procedure continues to advance new techniques have been developed for this popular surgery.

Wavefront LASIK eye surgery is one of the newest and hottest LASIK procedures available today. It has been utilized in Europe for some time now, but it wasn't until recently that it was approved for U.S. use. Wavefront LASIK eye surgery, compares favorably to its traditional LASIK surgery counterparts. They are, however, very similar when it comes to this procedure. They work under the same premise, in that they function with a laser to cut the corneas tissue, that is often the cause of flawed vision. The main underlying advantage that wavefront LASIK has over conventional laser procedures is in the mapping. Wavefront LASIK takes a complete measurement of the whole eye; this not only results in a precise measurement of the eye, but also provides three-dimensional mapping. For obvious reasons, these details provide much advantage when it comes to executing the eye surgery.

When choosing between traditional LASIK surgery and wavefront LASIK, there are a few things you should consider. Conventional LASIK procedures are sufficient when it comes to lower order aberrations, including astigmatism, farsightedness, or even nearsightedness. Wavefront LASIK eye surgery really shines when it comes to higher order aberrations. These vision issues cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or even traditional LASIK eye surgery. Since wavefront technology utilizes sophisticated mapping, you can not only measure, but also correct these issues. Problems with night vision, starbursts or light halos can all be corrected by the new wavefront LASIK technology.

Many reports show that wavefront LASIK eye surgeries are commonly more successful. This can be attributed to the sophisticated measuring techniques available to this technology. But, like anything else that is superior in this world, it comes with a cost. Wavefront LASIK eye surgery considerably more expensive than conventional LASIK procedures. So, if you are on a tight budget, you'll need to decide if it's necessary or worth the extra cash. It is not unusual to see wavefront LASIK surgery costing twice of what it would cost for your typical LASIK procedure. If you have higher order aberration issues, wavefront LASIK is the only way to go. So, your decision should not only reflect your budget, but your specific vision needs.

Unfortunately, at this time, neither traditional LASIK surgery or wavefront LASIK surgery is covered by typical health insurers. There is some optimism down the road that LASIK eye surgery may be covered by your common health insurance plan. When you look at the overall savings that LASIK surgery provides over an individuals life, having to deal with the hassles of eye care, such as glasses/contacts, the benefits are obviously in favor of LASIK. For these reasons, you'd think you'd be a priority for health insurers, but they have bigger problems currently, so don't hold your breath.

It's important to sit down with a qualified LASIK physician when considering LASIK eye surgery. He or she can help you determine whether traditional LASIK eye surgery is sufficient for your needs. Whether you are a good wavefront LASIK eye surgery candidate. And what's involved in the surgery, including preoperatively and postoperatively. Don't be tempted by price alone, a reputable LASIK doctor is much more important to your eyes than saving a buck.

By Frank Rodriguez

Is Wavefront LASIK Eye Surgery For You?