| Brent Hanson - LasikFraud.com 2005-01-27, 8:51 am |
| The Eye Surgery education Council of the American Society of Cataract and
Refractive Surgery Foundation has issued a clarification on the use of the
terms "wavefront-guided," and "wavefront-optimized" in connection with
laser-based procedures (LASIK, PRK, etc.) and implantable lenses used for
vision correction purposes.
Wavefront-guided vision correction procedures customize laser treatments
based on the individual characteristics of the eye that is being corrected.
The term "wavefront-optimized" refers to laser treatment software that has
been designed with certain corrections pre-programmed, although a true and
customized wavefront plan is not employed.
The advent of wavefront technology enables ophthalmologists to measure and
treat the defects of the eye's visual system that extend beyond what can be
corrected by the basic prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. In
addition, wavefront concepts are now being used in the design of artificial
lenses that are implanted into the eye as part of treating cataracts and
other vision problems.
Conventional diagnostic systems and the treatment software that operates the
lasers, rely upon the same kind of data that would be gathered during the
physical examinations and ophthalmic tests used to make prescription eye
glasses and contact lenses.
By contrast, the most commonly used wavefront technology passes light into
the eye, reflects it off the inside of the back of the eye, and then
measures how this light is distorted as it exits. All of the light rays that
exit the eye form the wavefront, which is representative of the eye's
focusing characteristics. This reflected light or wavefront is analyzed by
computer software for distortions caused by the eye's optical imperfections.
For laser-based vision correction procedures, that information is then used
to generate a customized treatment plan that guides the laser as it treats
the individual eye in question.
"Spherical aberration" is a common optical imperfection that is treatable by
wavefront technology. It occurs when the peripheral portion of a lens system
focuses light to a different point than does the central part of the lens
system. A patient with excessive spherical aberrations may have problems
with glare and lack of sharpness of vision, particularly under dim light
conditions. This problem is well known in the optical industry, and fine
cameras, movie projectors, telescopes, etc., have been designed to overcome
the problem.
Since spherical aberration is a common problem, some new laser programs have
a built in software correction for it. Similarly, new artificial lenses
(used for cataract and other vision correction procedures) are designed to
correct for spherical aberration. Because the design or treatment concept
has been influenced by wavefront methods, it has been referred to as
wavefront- optimized, although a true and customized wavefront plan is not
employed.
Vision correction surgery (LASIK, LASEK, PRK, etc.) to correct
nearsightedness and farsightedness with or without astigmatism has become
widely accepted. Approximately 655,000 people are expected to have laser-
based and lens-based procedures in 2004. Customized, wavefront-guided laser
procedures are more expensive than traditional ones, and differ from
wavefront-optimized procedures. Patients considering laser-based and lens-
based vision correction can benefit from understanding those differences.
The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery is an international
educational and scientific organization whose 9,000 member ophthalmologists
specialize in surgical procedures associated with the front part (anterior
segment) of the eye. They specialize in treating cataracts, glaucoma,
diseases and trauma of the cornea, and pediatric eye disorders, and in
vision correction procedures using laser-based and artificial lens
technologies. The Society publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Cataract
and Refractive Surgery.
This article was prepared by Health Insurance Law Weekly editors from staff
and other reports. Copyright 2005, Health Insurance Law Weekly via
LawRx.com.
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