about CustomCornea FAQ
If you don't see your question or topic addressed here, check with your doctor.
What is CustomCornea®?
CustomCornea® is an exciting laser vision correction procedure that addresses both the familiar refractive vision problems as well as higher order aberrations, which are a range of visual distortions that doctors are just recently able to measure. CustomCornea® creates a customized procedure for your eyes by directly evaluating your vision, and collecting data to make the exact correction your eyes need. The procedure aims to improve both visual acuity and visual quality.
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What is the difference between CustomCornea® and traditional laser vision correction?
While traditional laser vision correction can help with familiar refractive vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, CustomCornea® can go further and help with higher order aberrations. Doctors are only just able to measure higher order aberrations, which contribute to common night vision problems, including glare and halos. The goal of traditional laser vision correction procedures is to improve visual acuity, or sharpness of vision. With CustomCornea® the goal is to improve both your visual acuity and visual quality.
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How will I know if I should have CustomCornea® instead of traditional laser vision correction?
This determination should be made by your doctor, based on a pre-operative examination that includes wavefront analysis. He or she will take a wavefront map of your eyes. Wavefront mapping plots the errors in your entire optical system by passing a narrow ray of eye-safe light through the optical system and measuring the optical distortion as the light exits the eye. These patterns are then compared to a wavefront map for normal vision, which is perfectly flat. In CustomCornea® with the LADARVision® System these maps are used by your doctor to plan your surgery and to guide the laser during treatments. Make sure when choosing your doctor that you find one that provides CustomCornea® with the LADARVision® System.
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What is visual quality?
A number of factors contribute to the overall quality of your vision, or the crispness or clarity of your vision, other than just your 20/20 measurements. Factors such as higher order aberrations can affect your visual quality.
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What are higher order aberrations?
Higher order aberrations are a range of common vision problems affecting the quality of your vision. Problems believed to be associated with poor visual quality are normally most apparent in low-light situations and may include night vision problems like glare and halos.
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How do I know if I have higher order aberrations?
As part of the CustomCornea® procedure, your doctor will check for higher-order aberrations by taking wavefront measurements of your eyes. Wavefront mapping plots the visual errors present in your entire eye by passing a narrow ray of eye-safe light through the optical system and measuring the optical distortion as the light exits the eye. These patterns are then compared to the flat wavefront maps associated with normal vision, giving your doctor a detailed perspective of the problems in your vision.
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What is a wavefront map?
A wavefront map is a plot of the visual errors of your entire eye. These are obtained by passing a narrow ray of eye-safe light through the optical system and measuring the optical distortion as the light exits the eye. These patterns are then compared to the flat maps associated with normal vision, giving your doctor a detailed perspective of the problems in your vision.
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Will CustomCornea® cost more than traditional laser vision correction?
Pricing for laser vision correction procedures varies considerably, and is established by individual doctors and laser vision clinics. Remember, it's your eyes and your vision we're talking about. The value you receive through the improvement of your vision is probably more important to you than the price. You may pay more for the CustomCornea® treatment, because it is the most advanced technology on the market and has more capabilities than other laser vision correction technologies.
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How can I find a CustomCornea® surgeon in my area?
Choose your doctor carefully. Select a surgeon who willingly answers all your questions, who you feel comfortable with, and who puts you at ease. We've provided some guidelines for choosing your doctor. You can also find a doctor near you that provides CustomCornea®.
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