Ophthalmologists Serving Northridge, San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles, CA

Q: What is VISX CustomVue (individualized laser vision) correction?

A: VISX CustomVue individualized laser vision correction is WaveScan®-driven, which enables the physician to measure and correct unique imperfections in each individual's vision. Many of these imperfections could never be measured before using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses.

Q: Who is a candidate for VISX CustomVue procedure?

A: If you are 21 years of age or older and wear glasses or contacts to correct nearsightedness and/or astigmatism, you may benefit from CustomVue™. If you meet the criteria, you should see your eye doctor for more information.

Q: What is Personal Best Vision?

A: Because every individual's eyes are unique, each individual may benefit from a correction custom-tailored for them. For the first time, CustomVue using WaveScan technology can measure and correct the unique characteristics of each individual's vision, potentially providing them with the best possible vision for their eyes or their Personal Best Vision.

Q: What is WaveScan® technology?

A: WaveScan technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. This technology has now been applied to laser vision correction, measuring imperfections in the eye never before measured using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses. WaveScan-based digital technology identifies and measures imperfections in an individual's eye 25 times more precisely than standard methods. Physicians use this information to treat individuals with the CustomVue™ procedure.

Q: Why is WaveScan technology so important to the CustomVue procedure?

A: Until now, physicians were forced to practice one-size-fits-all vision. An off-the-shelf lens corrects an individual's vision fairly well, but it does not correct it precisely because it is not uniquely tailored to that person's fingerprint of vision. Now, with WaveScan technology, we can custom tailor a correction for the unique characteristics of each individual's vision.

Q: How is the information transferred from the WaveScan to the laser?

A: The WaveScan digital information is transferred to the laser, providing a new level of precision and accuracy.

Q: Can you briefly explain what a patient will experience during the course of this procedure?

A: The individual will initially meet with the physician for an evaluation to determine if he or she is a good candidate for the CustomVue procedure. A WaveScan measurement will be taken to map the unique characteristics of his or her vision. The physician will assess several criteria including level of correction and overall eye health and discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with the patient. Once it is confirmed that the individual is a good candidate, he or she can be scheduled for CustomVue. The physician will provide details for the individual on how to prepare for the day of the procedure.

If the physician feels it is beneficial, he may choose to provide the patient with a PreVue® Lens during the consultation. The PreVue Lens allows an individual to "preview" their potential vision before the CustomVue procedure. The physician will place a plastic lens under the laser. Using the information from the WaveScan, the individual's unique correction will be placed on the lens. The lens is then fitted in a trial frame for viewing. If a PreVue Lens is used in this evaluation, your vision through the PreVue lens is not meant to be predictive of the end result that you might achieve.

On procedure day, the individual will be seated in a reclined position. Anesthetic drops will be placed in the eyes, and a flap will be created in the cornea. The individual's treatment information is transferred from the WaveScan to the VISX® laser in order to drive the CustomVue procedure. The actual laser procedure typically takes several seconds. The majority of individuals feel no pain during the procedure.

After CustomVue, individuals will notice results immediately, and vision will continue to improve over the next few days. The individual will be scheduled for a follow-up visit the next day and again several weeks after the initial procedure.

Q: Will I need glasses or contacts after the CustomVue™ procedure?

A: Probably not. Six months after the clinical study, all participants saw well enough to drive a car without glasses or contacts. Ninety-four percent had 20/20 vision. However, individual results may vary.