In keeping with modern Eye Laser developments,
the EuroEyes clinical group have specialised not only
on the optimal correction of myopia, hypermetropia and
astigmatism, but also on improving the quality of vision
for our patients. This is carried out by linking Aberrometry
with LASIK. With the tradition LASIK technique (see
illustration 1a/b/c); following the initial steps
of creating the corneal flap using the microkeratome
or Femtolaser (see illustration 2a/b/c),
the exposed corneal bed is then re-shaped with the eximer
laser. In doing so, a small depression in the central
cornea is created when correcting myopia. With hypometropia,
a ring shaped depression is created in order to induce
a steeping in the shape of the central cornea. When
the abberometer is then coupled with this process, the
cornea can, in addition to this, be moulded in such
a way as to treat the eye´s aberrations to optimise
the quality of vision following treatment.
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| Illustration
1 :: Traditional LASIK technique |
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1.a
For fixation purposes, a suction ring is placed on the
eye prior to surgery. The eye is put under pressure for
a brief period of time. |
1.b
With a precision knife, an incision is placed to create
a thin flap of the cornea (0.16 mm). |
1.c
The corneal flap is flapped back like a book cover. |
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| Illustration
2 :: Femtolaser technique |
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2.a
The IntraLase laser produces tiny bubbles to be able to
lift up the surface of the cornea |
2.b
The ability to precisely place the bubbles up to the edge
of cornea enables an exact preparation of the flap |
2.c
The corneal flap is opened up in order to treat the deeper
layers of cornea |
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What exactly is Aberrometry?
This is a new way of measuring and differentiating between
the complex "higher order" refractive errors of the eye as
well as the tradition refractive errors such as short-sightedness,
long-sightedness and astigmatism. In order to carry out an
aberrometry measurement, an exact band of light with a perfectly
flat shaped wavefront is shone into the eye. This passes through
the cornea, lens and vitreous (clear media of the eye) and
is then reflected back out of the eye by the retina (receptor
layer). This reflected light can then be measured, to determine
how it´s profile has changed after passing through the eye´s
optical system (illustration 3). These wavefront profile changes
in turn give us the necessary information about the afore-mentioned
aberrations of the eye.
Should there be significant aberrations, then the eye is
not able to accurately focus this bundle of light on or near
the retina. This problem is reported by our patients through
symptoms such as glare and reduced contrast sensitivity, which
has an impact on their quality of vision under mesoptic light
conditions (ie. just before sunset or under candlelight) or
in darkness (illustration 4)
Through aberrometry assisted LASIK (wavefront assisted LASIK),
it is possible to correct these aberrations in a way which
positively influences the quality of vision. The risk of a
slight reduction in contrast vision, and a reduction in the
quality of vision under mesoptic light conditions following
the LASIK procedure, are reduced.
At EuroEyes, we use the Pre-operative Examination to allow
us to determine which type of LASIK procedure suits you the
best. In addition to measuring your eyes individual focusing
errors, the thickness of your cornea, and your pupils size
in darkness; we also measure your eyes aberrations using the
aberrometer. Should you have symptoms such as glare sensitivity,
reduced contrast vision and\or reduced vision under mesoptic
lighting conditions, then you could be a good candidate for
aberrometry assisted LASIK!
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