Before the Wavelight Plus InnovEyes procedure, a thorough eye exam is conducted to evaluate vision and corneal condition. Other tests may be performed to ensure suitability for the treatment.
If you’re considering WaveLight Plus InnovEyes for vision correction, you’re looking at one of the most advanced and sophisticated technologies in laser eye surgery. However, just like any surgical procedure, preparation is a critical part of achieving the best outcomes. Pre-surgery evaluations play a crucial role in determining whether you are a suitable candidate for the procedure and ensuring optimal results.
Here, we’ll explore the rigorous evaluations and discussions required before proceeding with WaveLight Plus InnovEyes treatment and provide insights into its revolutionary features as well as some nuances of the technology.
Why Pre-Surgery Evaluations Are Essential
WaveLight Plus InnovEyes is a highly refined system designed to address refractive errors and higher-order aberrations with precision. However, this precision is only possible with an in-depth understanding of each patient’s unique eye characteristics. Pre-surgery assessments are crucial for:
- Identifying candidates unsuitable for the procedure, either due to eye health concerns or other contraindications.
- Mapping the unique optical and structural characteristics of the eye to tailor the treatment to the individual.
- Setting realistic expectations for the outcomes of the procedure, including discussing risks and limitations.
Now, let’s break down the crucial steps that comprise the pre-surgery evaluation process for WaveLight Plus InnovEyes.
1. A Comprehensive Eye Examination
The first step in pre-surgery evaluation is a thorough eye examination. This isn’t your typical eyesight test at the optometrist. It involves a deep, detailed analysis of the eye’s health and specific measurements that will influence the surgery. Below are the aspects evaluated:
- Vision and Prescription Accuracy: Establishing the current refractive errors.
- Corneal Thickness: This is a critical factor in laser eye surgery. A cornea that’s too thin may not provide sufficient tissue for the laser to work effectively without compromising structural integrity.
- Corneal Curvature and Irregularities: A corneal topography scan identifies any unevenness or abnormalities on the corneal surface.
- Pupil Size: Larger pupils can sometimes lead to issues with night vision after surgery, such as halos or glare.
- General Ocular Health: Conditions such as dry eye syndrome or untreated ocular diseases might disqualify someone from undergoing the surgery.
These measurements not only assess your eligibility but also feed into the customised surgical planning software of WaveLight Plus InnovEyes, making the treatment truly individualised.
2. Reviewing Medical History
Your medical history can significantly influence the success of the procedure. Be ready to discuss:
- Pre-existing Conditions: Autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or any condition that impacts the body’s healing process.
- Ocular Health History: Previous eye surgeries, infections, or recurring eye conditions.
- Medications: Certain medications can affect healing or influence eye conditions, and this will influence your surgeon’s recommendations.
This review ensures your safety during both the surgery and post-operative recovery period.
3. Advanced Diagnostic Imaging – The Role of the Sightmap Device
WaveLight Plus InnovEyes takes pre-surgical evaluations a step further with the use of the Sightmap system. This three-in-one diagnostic device integrates a Scheimpflug Corneal Tomographer, a Hartmann-Shack Aberrometer, and an Interferometry-Based Biometer. The following are its contributions to pre-surgery assessments:
- Scheimpflug Corneal Tomography: This technology measures the front and back surfaces of the cornea. It provides a detailed map of corneal thickness and curvature to identify structural weaknesses and determine suitability for the procedure.
- Wavefront Aberrometry: Analyses how light waves travel through the entire eye (not just the cornea) to detect higher-order aberrations that can impact visual clarity. The treatment plan includes adjustments for these aberrations beyond standard corrections for myopia or astigmatism.
- Laser Interferometry-Based Biometry: Calculates the eye’s axial length and the spatial positioning of refractive components like the cornea and lens. This ensures precise adjustments during surgery, optimising visual outcomes.
By utilising over 2,000 virtual rays of light to assess the eye in astonishing detail, the Sightmap system builds a 3D digital model of your eye. This model enables surgeons to simulate how light interacts with the eye’s anatomical structures, ensuring the ablation pattern is customised to your individual ocular architecture.
4. Discussion of Realistic Expectations
Before undergoing WaveLight Plus InnovEyes, it’s crucial to have an open and honest conversation with your ophthalmologist about what the procedure can achieve and its limitations. This discussion typically covers:
- Vision Goals: What are you hoping to achieve from the surgery? Your doctor will assess whether the technology aligns with these goals.
- Potential Risks: Even though WaveLight Plus InnovEyes is advanced, risks such as dry eyes, halos, or under-correction/over-correction remain possible.
- Long-term Outcomes: Over time, the eyes naturally change, which may impact the lasting results of the surgery. Understanding this beforehand can set the right expectations.
5. Advanced Ray-Tracing Calculations and Adjustments
WaveLight Plus InnovEyes employs state-of-the-art ray-tracing technology to calculate a customised ablation profile. This process includes:
- Virtual Ray-Tracing Adjustments: The software traces light rays virtually, both forward (from the cornea to the retina) and retrograde (from the retina back to the anterior surface of the lens), capturing minute details about the eye’s refractive behaviour.
- Tilt Corrections: By virtually aligning the cornea and lens, tilt corrections are made for optimal post-surgery optical performance.
- Higher-Order Aberration Adjustments: These aberrations, calculated beyond typical refractive errors, are factored into the customised treatment plan. This ensures sharper vision clarity compared to older systems.
Interestingly, while this technology is exceptionally advanced in its diagnosis and treatment planning, the use of a flap-based procedure places WaveLight Plus InnovEyes slightly behind newer flapless approaches in terms of overall innovation. It’s an aspect that prospective patients should consider and discuss with their doctors.
6. Customised Adjustments by the Surgeon
While most of the calculations for the surgery are automated and data-driven, the final ablation profile may still be fine-tuned by the surgeon. Low-order aberrations, including sphere, cylinder, and axis, can be manually adjusted to ensure that the treatment reflects the patient’s manifest refraction data if necessary. However, higher-order aberration corrections and tilt adjustments calculated by the software are final and cannot be altered.
7. Understanding the Limitations
Though WaveLight Plus InnovEyes is considered a breakthrough in precision laser surgery, it remains a flap-based procedure similar to traditional LASIK. This contrasts with newer techniques such as SMILE Pro (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), which are flapless and involve smaller incisions. While the treatment outcomes are still exceptional, factoring its flap-based nature into your decision-making process is essential.
Is WaveLight Plus InnovEyes Right for You?
The decision to undergo WaveLight Plus InnovEyes treatment stems from a combination of meeting the eligibility criteria and feeling confident in the procedure’s ability to address your vision issue. The rigorous pre-surgery evaluations ensure that only suitable candidates proceed with the surgery, maximising the likelihood of satisfied outcomes.
If you’re considering WaveLight Plus InnovEyes, consult with an experienced ophthalmologist to assess whether this cutting-edge technology matches your vision goals. Its robust diagnostics and advanced applications deliver unparalleled customisation, marking a significant step forward in refractive laser surgery.
With the right preparation, your vision enhancement with WaveLight Plus InnovEyes can be the beginning of a new chapter in how you see the world.
