Spokane Eye Surgery Center,Wavefront Technology

VISX Wave Front Technology Laser Vision Procedure

Q: What is VISX Wave Front Technology (individualized laser vision) correction?
A: VISX Wave Front Technology individualized laser vision correction is WaveScan (R) driven, which, enables the physician to measure and correct unique imperfections in each individual's vision. Many of these imperfections could never be measured before.

Q: Who is a candidate for VISX Wave Front Technology procedure?
A: Anyone 21 years of age or older who wears glasses or contacts to correct nearsightedness and/or astigmatism may benefit from VISX Wave Front Technology. Individuals should visit www.personalbestvision.com and see their eye doctor for more information.

Q: What is Personal Best Vision?
A: Because every individual's eyes are unique, each individual would benefit from a correction custom-tailored for them. For the first time, VISX Wave Front Technology using WaveScan technology can measure and correct the unique characteristics of each individual's vision, potentially providing them with the best possible vision for their eyes, or their Personal Best Vision.

Measure and Correct
Q: What is WaveScan technology?
A: WaveScan technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. This technology has now been applied to laser vision correction, measuring imperfections in the eye never measured before using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses. WaveScan-based digital technology identifies and measures imperfections in an individual's eye 25 times more precisely than the standard method. Physicians use this information to treat individuals with the VISX Wave Front Technology

Q:Why is WaveScan Technology so important to the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure?
A: Until now, physicians were forced to practice one-size-fits-all vision. An off-the-shelf lens corrects an individuals vision fairly well, but it does not correct it precisely because it is not uniquely tailored to that person's fingerprint of vision. Now, with WaveScan technology, we can custom tailor a correction for the unique characteristics of each individual's vision.

Q: How is the information transferred from the WaveScan to the laser?
A: The WaveScan digital information is transferred to the laser, providing a new level of precision and accuracy.

Q: Can you briefly explain what a patient will experience during the course of this procedure?
A: The individual will initially meet with the physician for an evaluation to determine if he or she is a good candidate for the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure. A WaveScan measurement will be taken to map the unique characteristics of his or her vision. The physician will assess several criteria including level of correction and overall eye health. Once it is confirmed that the individual is a good candidate. he or she can be scheduled for VISX Wave Front Technology. The physician will provide details for the individual on how to prepare for the day of the procedure.

If the physician feels it is beneficial, he may choose to provide the patient with a PreVue Lens during the consultation. The PreVue Lens allows individuals to "preview" their potential vision before the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure. The physician will place a plastic lens under the laser. Using the information from the WaveScan, the individual's unique correction will be placed on the lens. The lens is then fitted in a trial frame for viewing.

On procedure day, the individual will be seated in a reclined position. Anesthetic drops will be placed in the eyes and a flap will be created in the cornea. The individual's treatment information is transferred from the WaveScan to the laser in order to drive the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure. The actual laser procedure typically takes several seconds. The majority of individuals feel no pain during the procedure.

After VISX Wave Front Technology , individuals will notice results immediately, and vision will continue to improve over the next few days. The individual will be scheduled for a follow-up visit the next day, and again several weeks after the initial procedure.

Beyond and Better Than Glasses

Q: Is VISX Wave Front Technology better than glasses and contacts?
A: As shown in the FDA clinical study, VISX Wave Front Technology can produce better vision than is possible with glasses and contact lenses. Glasses and contacts are limited in their ability to correct unique imperfections in each individual's vision. In fact, thousands of individuals have the same prescription. With the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure, no two prescriptions are identical.

Q: Will I need glasses or contacts after the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure?
A: Probably not. One year after the clinical study, all participants saw well enough to drive a car without glasses or contacts. Ninety-eight percent had 20/20 vision. However, individuals results may vary.

Q: What does better than 20/20 mean?
A: 20/20 is the current standard for excellence in vision. But, with the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure, individuals have the potential to see even better than 20/20. In fact, one year after the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure more than 70% of clinical study participants saw 20/16 or better.

Q: How could the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure affect my night vision?
A: Because VISX Wave Front Technology corrects the unique imperfections in each individual's vision, it is likely that night vision will be improved. In fact, in the clinical study, four times as many participants were very satisfied with their night vision after the procedure as compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts.

WaveScan -driven Procedure/PreVue Lens

Q: Why is WaveScan technology so important to the VISX Wave Front Technology procedure?
A: For the first time, WaveScan Technology captures unique imperfections in each individual's vision that could not have been measured before using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses. This new level of measurement provides 25-times more precision than standard measurements for glasses and contact lenses. Then, WaveScan technology produces a detailed map of the eye-much like a fingerprint, no two are alike. The WaveScan digital information is transferred to the laser, providing a new level of precision and accuracy.

Q: What is the PreVue Lens?
A: The PreVue Lens allows individuals to test drive their potential new vision before undergoing the procedure. Once the WaveScan measurement is taken, the physician will place a plastic lens under the laser. The individual's unique correction will be placed on the lens, then the lens will be fitted in a trial frame for viewing. The PreVue Lens is not a requirement for VISX Wave Front Technology procedure. Your physician will decide if this tool is beneficial for each individual.