Custom laser vision correction surgery is a more sophisticated laser treatment, and results in a better visual result than standard laser vision correction. To understand how custom laser eye surgery works, one must first understand what standard laser vision correction does to the cornea.
The above diagram A shows the cornea and how its curved shape ideally focuses peripheral light rays and brings images into focus. In a myopic individual (nearsighted), there is a mismatch between the shape of the cornea and the length of the eye, resulting in the premature focus of the external light rays before they reach the retina in the back of the eye.
To treat this, standard laser vision correction flattens approximately ½ the cornea (only the central part) thereby adjusting the primary focus point back onto the retina. (Diagram B)
Unfortunately, when you’ve only flattened the central part of the cornea, this can cause ‘night halos’ with vision at night time. This happens because the pupil enlarges in a dark environment, and like a camera aperture, more light from the peripheral cornea enters the eye.
This part of the cornea (see above diagram B) has not been corrected with the laser during the standard treatment and therefore creates night halos in the patient’s vision.
Custom laser vision correction treats the peripheral cornea (see above diagram C) which therefore minimizes this side effect. At BoydVision, we offer custom laser treatments as standard for this very reason.
To find out more about custom LASIK, send us any questions you may have or call us on 604-430-9560 to book a free consultation at our Burnaby laser eye surgery centre with our eye surgeon, Dr. Boyd.