Research moves ever forward on LASIK techniques and equipment. Improvement and success rate continue to climb in increments. In the past two years, several studies on topography-guided LASIK have given positive results in a field where over 90% success has become the norm. In a pivotal trial in 2016 topography-guided LASIK showed improvement for myopia in most cases. With that data, the FDA approved the new technology for use. Now an additional option exists when dealing with myopia with or without astigmatism.
How is topography-guided Lasik different
Topography laser uses the surface of the eye to sculpt. It measures the curves and specifically individualized characteristics of a patient’s eye. Each person’s eye has an individual map that when holistically put all together gives information on where the light locates on the retina in the back of an eye. Topography interprets the layers of the eye and can determine when more fluid tissues wrap around a static tissue. Now a doctor can customize the procedure to a more precise calculation for a patient.
Studies
An array of studies appeared in ophthalmic journals in the last three years comparing topography-guided laser eye surgery to known proven technologies with high success rate. By doing so, the reviews also checked the status of preop preparation of patients to see if any difference occurred in the outcomes. Twin studies in multicenter clinical trials over a year’s evaluation did visual acuity measurements. Refractive outcomes showed a surprisingly accurate and stable appearance. It came in with a 98% success rate for myopia.
The Journal of Refractive Surgery reported in a randomized contralateral eye study that topography-guided LASIK remained superior in all categories of visual performance whether objective or subjective. SMILE like procedures had been popular for the condition with a high success rate, but the topography-guided laser eye surgery did even better. An earlier study comparing topography-guided LASIK to Wavefront-Guided LASIK had the two technologies come in a dead heat. The Wavefront-Guided laser eye surgery technology did do better in the quality of vision category. The study recommended doctors study eye conditions intensely in the corneal higher order aberrations and choose patients carefully for each procedure to optimize results.
Change in pre-surgery questioning
Doctors found querying patients about visual symptoms from their condition such as halos, starbursts, glare, or night driving make it easier to identify suitable candidates for topography-guided LASIK. Reducing visual symptoms first made for better outcomes. Reliable topography became a key component of the success of the surgery. Now as part of the process ocular surface disease or tears must be evaluated and healed before attempting topography laser surgery. Patients interested in the new procedure should track their visual symptoms over a period of time and give that information to their doctor.
Conclusion
The quality and knowledge of the doctor doing the surgery make a world of difference in the outcome. Houston Lasik consistently has that quality in its staff and its doctors. From the moment a person enters the clinic personal customized care begins. Now the technology of laser surgery has caught up, and it too does customized personal care.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
VIA
http://ophthalmologytimes.modernmedicine.com/ophthalmologytimes/news/topography-guided-procedure-raises-bar-laser-vision-correction-outcomes
https://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/journals/jrs/2017-5-33-5/%7B929aab37-dad6-46ee-b6e5-e0a0bfc6a1e4%7D/topography-guided-lasik-versus-small-incision-lenticule-extraction-smile-for-myopia-and-myopic-astigmatism-a-randomized-prospective-contralateral-eye-study
https://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/journals/jrs/2016-11-32-11/%7B09cc10ee-1e99-4c90-846a-61daf9541912%7D/visual-outcomes-after-lasik-using-topography-guided-vs-wavefront-guided-customized-ablation-systems
http://www.desertpathmarketing.com/project/lasik-and-beyond-newest-advances-in-technology-and-surgery-options-to-correct-nearsightedness-farsightedness-and-presbyopia/:
