Higher vs. Lower Order Aberrations
If you are currently wearing glasses or contact lenses, you are certainly at least somewhat familiar with the basic refractive errors myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Hundreds of millions of people around the world rely on glasses or contacts to correct these visual errors and help them see clearly. You probably remember the various tests - “Which is clearer, one or two? Two or three?” - you underwent in the diagnosis of your vision problem and the determination of your prescription. What you may not have realized, however, is that glasses and contacts correct only some of your refractive errors, known as lower order aberrations. While you may no longer be experiencing the debilitating effects of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, tiny and highly unique imperfections in the shape of your cornea - higher order aberrations - could be severely affecting the quality of your vision.
For years, LASIK was no more able to correct these higher order aberrations than glasses or contact lenses. However, recent advances in ophthalmologic technology have led to the creation of custom LASIK. This variation on the traditional LASIK procedure is so precise that it corrects the majority of higher order aberrations while continuing to restore vision at all distances.
At our Lake County vision center center, we are pleased to offer our patients the best possible results made possible through the most advanced technology available. Through custom LASIK at Deen-Gross Eye Centers, you too can enjoy crystal-clear vision and reduced dependence on traditional vision aids.
What Effect Do These Higher Order Aberrations Have on My Vision?
If you are like millions of other people who rely on glasses or contacts to see clearly, you probably notice that, while your corrected vision may technically be 20/20, your vision still isn’t quite perfect. Perhaps you catch yourself instinctively squinting to reduce the fuzziness of the letters on a faraway sign, or you struggle to gauge how close you are to the car in front of you while driving at night. These impairments to the quality of your vision are likely the result of higher order aberrations that are beyond the corrective reach of glasses and contacts.
How Does Custom LASIK Correct Higher Order Aberrations?
Custom LASIK accounts for unique flaws in the shape of an individual’s cornea through the use of advanced wavefront technology. This technology allows our surgeons to create a remarkably thorough map of the patient’s eye, down to the finest detail. The data collected during this process is then used to guide, via a sophisticated computer program, the excimer laser used to reshape the cornea during LASIK surgery. For patients of our practice in Lake County, LASIK not only improves their chances of bidding farewell to glasses and contacts altogether, but it also dramatically decreases the risk of such post-procedural complications as halos, glare, and difficulty seeing at night.
At Deen-Gross Eye Centers in Lake County, refractive errors of all kinds can be resolved through custom LASIK surgery.
Learn More about Custom LASIK
Don’t wait another day to experience the world through clearer vision than you’ve ever had before. Contact our Lake County laser eye surgery center today to learn more about how custom LASIK can help you rid yourself of pesky higher order aberrations.
