Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a vision correction procedure that can correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. New technologies, including custom LASIK, have improved outcomes for a number of LASIK patients.
Custom LASIK allows the doctor to not only treat the refractive error but also the patient’s higher order aberrations. Higher order aberrations are eye issues that require special tests to diagnose and cannot be corrected with standard corrective lenses. Examples include poor night vision, glare, halos, starbursts and poor vision in low-contrast situations. Custom LASIK technology accurately measures each patient’s higher order aberrations. This is just like taking a “fingerprint” of each patient’s cornea. Doctors then use these “fingerprint” measurements to perform a custom LASIK procedure on the patient.
LASIK doctors have been encouraged by the results of most custom LASIK procedures. Because the procedure is tailored specifically to each patient, custom LASIK may lower the risk of side effects. In fact, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy Surgeons General approved custom LASIK for their fighter pilots. Aviator studies after custom LASIK showed better postoperative night vision during aviation tasks such as landing on aircraft carriers in dark conditions.
Each person’s eyes are unique, and each patient will experience a different outcome from her laser vision correction procedure. To find out if LASIK is right for you, visit a qualified, experienced LASIK doctor.