Wavefront LASIK is an enhanced version of LASIK and is the latest procedure available in laser-assisted treatments for refractive eye corrections. In the 1930s, a German physicist named Zernicke first developed the actual wavefront mapping theory and has been in use for aberration mapping and image enhancement in astronomy. And in about 1990, at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, Dr. Junzhong Liang measured higher-order aberrations of a human eye using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor as a part of his Ph.D. work and his papers were published in 1994. The first Wavefront LASIK procedure was performed in 1999.

"My eyes are great! I saw the doctor today and I have 20/20 in both eyes." says Lynne after her recent Wavefront LASIK treatment.

This procedure is much similar to the conventional LASIK, but the difference is in the diagnosis and the way the laser computer is fed with the data. This procedure makes use of a sensor and the laser, where the light from the laser is beamed through the eye. When the light waves are reflected back, the sensor that measures the irregularities captures them and produces a 3-dimensional map of the eye's visual system.

The conventional LASIK treatment estimates and programs the laser before treatment, but in Wavefront LASIK the actual 3-dimensional map is used to program the laser to provide a more accurate treatment.

Studies show that 90 to 94 percent of patients receiving Wavefront LASIK achieve visual acuity of 20/20 or better, whereas up to 80 percent of those receiving conventional LASIK achieve 20/20 or better.

This procedure reduces likelihood of creating night vision or glare/ halo problems. However, t his does not mean that this procedure is the right choice for you because this may not suit everyone. If you have any of the following, this procedure may not suit you.

•  Thin corneas

•  High degrees of aberration

•  Severely dry eyes

•  Certain other conditions that affect the lens

However, you may still be a good candidate for conventional LASIK. So before make up your mind on what you want to do to your eye(s), it is recommended that you book an appointment with the surgeon to have your eyes analysed and find out which treatment is best suited for you.