What is Advanced CustomVue?

Advanced CustomVue allows the doctor to customize your LASIK procedure to an amazing degree. Advanced CustomVue is an exciting, specialized way to help patients get the near perfect vision they’ve always dreamed of through laser vision correction surgery. The corneal mapping, sophisticated FDA-approved lasers, and high-tech computer software utilized in Advanced CustomVue allows the doctor to potentially correct vision to a more precise degree than contact lenses or glasses. Specialized corneal topography systems and software called “Wavefront” make this process possible.

Traditionally, corneal topography focuses on the sphere and cylinder of the cornea, or the lower order aberrations. Wavefront expands on this technology by identifying higher-order aberrations (other irregularities) in the whole visual system. Wavefront allows for a complete, personalized measurement of the entire visual system including eye shape, imperfections, refractive errors, and visual conditions such as impaired night vision or presence of halos.

Until recently, eye surgeons largely measured vision with lenses – using the standard, “which is better- lens one or lens two?” approach. They then programmed these results into a computer system. The measurements were used to determine to what degree laser vision correction could improve a patient’s vision. The problem was that the lenses, used in a rotating system called a phoroptor, while able to determine the necessary correction (using sphere, cylinder, and axis), could not fully assess other imperfections such as halos and night vision distortion.

Wavefront technology was originally developed to help reduce the distortion one might see when viewing objects positioned in outer space. Wavefront technology has been used in other areas for decades, such as in the development of special lenses for the Hubble Telescope. Now this technology is revolutionizing the laser eye surgery industry. Wavefront allows for complete personalized measurements of the entire visual system. After each eye is evaluated, the computer goes through more than 1 million computations and designs a personalized patient surgical plan. The doctor reviews this plan and has the option to make adjustments in the treatment plan if necessary. The plan is then directly loaded directly from a memory stick into the computer of the VISX S4IR Excimer Laser,  the system we use to perform laser vision correction.

According to recent FDA studies, 100% of 189 patients who underwent Advanced CustomVue  surgery reported post-operative vision of 20/40 or better without contact lenses or glasses, 94% reported 20/20 vision, and 74% reported 20/15 vision or better. The overwhelming majority of those studied also reported that their night vision was much sharper and stronger after the surgery than ever before. However, despite its extremely high success rate, Advanced CustomVue is not for everyone.

It is important to note that not all laser vision correction patients qualify for Wavefront guided Advanced CustomVue treatment. First, candidates must have nearsighted vision of 6 diopters or less and/or three diopters of astigmatism or less, and their pupils must measure five millimeters or greater in dim light. To ensure that their vision is corrected with the utmost accuracy, they must also have the Wavefront computer analyze their eyes three times before surgery. All three readings must be consistent or the patient will NOT be permitted to have Advanced CustomVue laser surgery. Additionally, before both eye exams and the actual surgery, candidates must not wear their soft contact lenses for two weeks and their hard contact lenses for a minimum of three weeks (possibly longer if recommended by the doctor). Glasses are recommended.

If you think you may be a candidate for an Advanced CustomVue laser vision correction procedure, please call 334.271.3804 today to schedule a free screening!