| Custom lasik is an extremely precise, individualized | | | | people with thin corneas are often unable to have |
| type of lasik eye surgery to correct visual defects | | | | this procedure.One way to find a good custom lasik |
| that result from an imperfectly shaped cornea. First, | | | | surgeon in New York State is through academic and |
| three-dimensional measurements of how your eye | | | | research centers such as teaching hospitals. The |
| processes and focuses light images are made. These | | | | American Academy of Ophthalmology website also |
| measurements are then used to guide the laser | | | | provides useful links. Keep in mind that custom lasik is |
| during surgery. The technology used to guide custom | | | | more expensive than conventional lasik, in part |
| lasik procedures is called wavefront | | | | because a fee is paid to the device manufacturer for |
| technology.Custom lasik offers certain advantages | | | | each procedure. The average cost per eye is slightly |
| over conventional lasik surgery. Greatly improved | | | | under $2,000. However, cost may vary depending on |
| precision means there is less of a chance that your | | | | the type of visual defect you have and the amount |
| specific visual defect will be under-corrected or | | | | of surgery that may be required to correct it. |
| over-corrected. Some recent studies indicate that | | | | Surgeons who use a newer and potentially safer |
| people who undergo custom lasik may be more likely | | | | technology called IntraLase may also have higher |
| to have 20/20 vision or better after surgery. Custom | | | | fees. IntraLase is laser that replaces the |
| lasik can be used to treat both so-called lower order | | | | microkeratome or cutting device used in conventional |
| refractive errors, such as nearsightedness and | | | | lasik surgery. To learn more about custom lasik |
| farsightedness, and higher-order errors. Higher-order | | | | equipment approved for use by the Food and Drug |
| errors include night vision disturbances, glare, halos | | | | Administration (FDA), visit the FDA website. |
| and shadows. A downside of custom lasik is that | | | | |