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Visx Laser Correction FAQ
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Useful Link
VISX Laser Correction
What is VISX CustomVue
(individualized laser vision) correction?
VISX CustomVue individualized laser vision
correction is WaveScan-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 using standard methods for glasses and contact
lenses.
Who is a candidate for VISX
CustomVue procedure?
If you are 21 years of age or older and wear glasses or contacts to
correct nearsightedness and/or astigmatism you may benefit from
CustomVue. If you meet the criteria, you should see your eye doctor
for more information.
What is Personal Best Vision?
Because every individual's eyes are unique, each individual may
benefit from a correction custom-tailored for them. For the first
time, CustomVue 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
What is WaveScan technology?
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 before measured
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 standard methods.
Physicians use this information to treat individuals with the
CustomVue procedure.
Why is WaveScan technology so
important to the CustomVue procedure?
Until now, physicians were forced to practice one-size-fits-all
vision. An off-the-shelf lens corrects an individual's 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.
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.
How is the information
transferred from the WaveScan to the laser?
The WaveScan digital information is transferred to the laser,
providing a new level of precision and accuracy.
Can you briefly explain what a
patient will experience during the
course of this procedure?
The individual will initially meet with our eye doctor for an
evaluation to determine if he or she is a good candidate for the
CustomVue procedure. A WaveScan measurement will be taken to map the
unique characteristics of his or her vision. The doctor will assess
several criteria including level of correction, and overall eye
health and discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with the
patient. Once it is confirmed that the individual is a good
candidate, he or she can be scheduled for CustomVue. The doctor will
provide details for the individual on how to prepare for the day of
the procedure.
If the doctor feels it is beneficial, he may choose to provide the
patient with a PreVue Lens during the consultation. The PreVue Lens
allows an individual to "preview" their potential vision before the
CustomVue procedure. The doctor 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. If a PreVue Lens is used in
this evaluation, your vision through the PreVue lens is not meant to
be predictive of the end result that you might achieve.
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 VISX laser in
order to drive the CustomVue procedure. The actual laser procedure
typically takes several seconds. The majority of individuals feel no
pain during the procedure.
After CustomVue, 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.
PreVue Lens
What is the PreVue Lens?
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 VISX 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 the CustomVue
procedure. Your physician will decide if this tool is beneficial for
each individual. If a PreVue Lens is used in this evaluation, your
vision through the PreVue lens is not meant to be predictive of the
end result that you might achieve.
Beyond Glasses and Contacts
Will I need glasses or contacts
after the CustomVue procedure?
Probably not. Six months after the clinical study, all participants
saw well enough to drive a car without glasses or contacts.
Ninety-four percent had 20/20 vision. However, individual results
may vary.
Clinical Study Results
How many sites were included in
the FDA clinical study and where are
they?
Six sites participated in the FDA clinical study at the following
locations:
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Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL
William Culbertson, MD
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Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Douglas Koch, MD
Coleman Vision, Albuquerque, NM
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Stephen Coleman, MD
Kraff Eye Institute, Chicago, IL
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Colman Kraff, MD
Maloney Vision Institute, Los Angeles, CA
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Robert Maloney, MD
Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD
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Terrence O'Brien
Nada Jabbur, MD
What were the visual acuity
results of the FDA clinical study?
A significant result was that six months after the VISX CustomVue
procedure:
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100% of participants could pass a driving test without glasses or
contacts
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94% of participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses or
contacts
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74% of participants could see better than 20/20 without glasses or
contacts
What does better than 20/20
mean?
20/20 is the current standard for excellence in vision. But, with
the CustomVue procedure, individuals have the potential to see even
better than 20/20. In fact, six months after the CustomVue procedure
more than 74% percent of clinical study participants saw 20/16 or
better.
How could the CustomVue
procedure affect my night vision?
Many patients found their night vision was improved after the
CustomVue procedure. 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.
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