Have you heard of 20/20 vision?
This standard measure of visual acuity represents what a typical human eye can see clearly at a distance of 20 feet (6 meters).
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about wavefront-guided LASIK and LASIK Xtra, including current trends, expected outcomes, pricing, and the advances offered by the new iDesign 2.0 wavefront-guided LASIK system.
From my professional perspective, the iDesign 2.0 platform represents a significant breakthrough for patients seeking vision correction.
Speaking of vision clarity, do you currently have 20/20 vision?
If you’re in Singapore, chances are you don’t. Our nation has one of the world’s highest myopia rates, with a staggering 83% of young adults experiencing myopia or short-sightedness.
Perhaps you’ve grown weary of your daily routine with glasses or the tedious process of inserting contact lenses.
You might find yourself reminiscing about times when you could effortlessly read bus numbers or shop signs without visual aids.
Fortunately, there’s a solution you’re likely familiar with and may have considered: LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery.
Different types of LASIK
Traditional LASIK is a refractive surgical procedure that addresses corneal issues to correct various vision conditions:
- Myopia: Commonly known as short-sightedness
- Hyperopia: Also called far-sightedness Astigmatism: Resulting in blurred vision
The procedure involves creating a corneal flap—the transparent front surface of your eye—and using laser technology to reshape it, thereby eliminating refractive errors that cause focusing problems.
However, conventional LASIK may not match the effectiveness of more advanced LASIK procedures in certain scenarios.
What is Wavefront-Guided LASIK?
Think of wavefront-guided LASIK as a more personalized, tailored version of conventional LASIK.
This technology customizes the LASIK procedure to match each patient’s unique eye characteristics. The process employs a specialized eye scanner to create a detailed 3-D image of your eye. In my clinic, we refer to this as iLASIK, though you might hear it called “High Definition” LASIK in casual conversation.
This sophisticated technology identifies and addresses even the smallest imperfections on and within the eye’s surface, adjusting the correction accordingly.
I often explain to my patients that wavefront-guided LASIK is comparable to having a bespoke suit or dress made—it’s tailored to your specific needs.
While conventional LASIK and wavefront-optimized LASIK offer good results, they typically can’t address the higher-order aberrations that wavefront-guided LASIK corrects. Even though wavefront-optimized LASIK provides more refinement than standard LASIK, wavefront-guided LASIK remains the most precise and specialized option.
It’s worth noting that wavefront-guided LASIK earned the distinction of being the first LASIK procedure approved by both NASA and the US Navy for their astronauts and naval pilots respectively in 2007, based on its effectiveness and potential for enhancing night vision quality.
Interestingly, wavefront-guided technology extends beyond LASIK to other vision correction procedures, including surface ablation techniques such as:
- Wavefront Guided LASEK
- Wavefront Guided PRK
- Wavefront Guided Trans-PRK
What is LASIK Xtra?
LASIK Xtra serves as a complementary treatment that can enhance both LASIK procedures and surface ablation treatments. Its primary function is to improve the cornea’s tensile strength following LASIK procedures.
Since LASIK and surface ablation procedures target the cornea, using laser manipulation to reshape it, these treatments naturally result in slight corneal thinning. This can lead to some loss of the cornea’s natural rigidity.
To address this, LASIK Xtra employs a cross-linking treatment that enhances the cornea’s tensile strength and mechanical properties, effectively compensating for any initial structural changes caused by the vision correction procedures.
How much do these LASIK procedures cost?
Standard LASIK procedure: Less than $4,000 for both eyes, including GST
LASIK Xtra and Wavefront-guided LASIK: 10-20% above standard LASIK pricing ($400-$800 additional)
Related article: LASIK Costs in Singapore: An Eye Doctor Explains Everything
Refractive Surgery Procedures (PRK, EpiLasik, TransPRK): $3,800-$5,000
Flapless laser vision correction (ReLEx SMILE): $5,000-$6,000
What are the main differences between the LASIK procedures?
Conventional LASIK focuses on the fundamental procedure of flap creation and corneal reshaping.
Related article: ReLEx SMILE vs LASIK: Which is Right for Me?
Wavefront-guided LASIK enhances the correction process by addressing subtle eye imperfections. LASIK Xtra adds a corneal strengthening step after the main treatment (whether LASIK or surface ablation).
What results can you expect from LASIK and how long does it last?
LASIK generally provides permanent results.
Once your cornea is reshaped, it maintains that form indefinitely. Many patients achieve vision that surpasses 20/20 and maintains this improvement long-term.
A research study revealed impressive success rates: 98.5% of patients achieved better than 20/40 vision, while over 90% reached 20/20 vision or better.
However, while LASIK treats the cornea, it can’t prevent natural aging processes in other parts of the eye.
You may still develop conditions like cataracts later in life. Vision might gradually change due to presbyopia and cataract formation. In Singapore, the National University Hospital reports that cataracts affect 78.6% of the elderly population.
Generally speaking, LASIK demonstrates excellent outcomes, with serious complications being extremely rare.
What are the market trends for Wavefront-Guided LASIK and LASIK Xtra in Singapore like right now?
Let’s examine current LASIK trends and statistics within Singapore’s eye health sector to help inform your decision about LASIK surgery.
LASIK Xtra Trends
LASIK Xtra’s popularity continues to grow.
An increasing number of LASIK patients opt to include the LASIK Xtra procedure, driven by greater awareness of the technology and its acceptance as a mainstream treatment option.
In our clinic, we recommend LASIK Xtra to all LASIK candidates, with particular emphasis on younger patients in their early 20s or those with high optical power corrections.
LASIK Xtra proves especially beneficial for these groups as it helps stabilize the cornea and minimize potential mild power regression, reducing the likelihood of requiring enhancement treatments later.
Wavefront-Guided LASIK Trends
While wavefront-guided LASIK has been available for many years, the technology has become more refined but remains complex for practitioners to operate.
This complexity partly stems from the variety of laser machines offering different versions of wavefront-guided LASIK, which can create confusion for both providers and patients.
This complexity explains why relatively few practitioners offer wavefront-guided LASIK as their primary treatment option.
However, there’s an exciting development worth highlighting: the updated iDesign 2.0 wavefront-guided iLASIK scanning system, introduced to Singapore within the past year, represents an updated iteration of iDesign for wavefront-guided LASIK.
It features a more sophisticated measuring device that provides more accurate and robust dimensional calculations by integrating both whole-eye and corneal measurements into a unified data set.
The technology has become more user-friendly for practitioners, streamlining the pre-operative examination process for patients.
It also demonstrates the ability to treat a broader range of vision corrections. We’ve committed to providing wavefront-guided LASIK treatment with the iDesign 2.0, as evidence suggests that wavefront-guided treatments help more patients achieve superior vision quality.
However, patient eligibility still requires careful assessment, as wavefront-guided treatments typically require more corneal thickness.
What tests do I have to undergo before LASIK to assess my suitability?
LASIK candidacy requires comprehensive testing to evaluate corneal dimensions and gather essential measurements. This includes multiple eye power assessments, both with and without muscle-relaxing eye drops.
We evaluate your eye’s posterior structure and conduct pre-operative ectasia testing (to determine if your cornea might be too “weak” or “soft” for LASIK). Since ectasia prevalence varies by geographic region, we consider racial background and related factors.
The entire testing process typically requires at least two hours.
Before testing, you must discontinue contact lens use for a minimum of two days, and only soft contact lenses are permitted if necessary. Spectacle wearers can continue their normal usage.
On surgery day, avoid using creams, lotions, makeup, and perfumes, as these can increase infection risk and interfere with laser effectiveness.
Your LASIK procedure should only proceed if test results confirm corneal suitability, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing.
What are some potential side effects and risks of LASIK?
Common LASIK side effects include:
- Temporary dry eyes
- Mild glare
- Halo effects
These effects typically persist for several weeks post-surgery.
Like any medical procedure, risks include potential infection and inflammation. Extended use of post-operative eye drops may occasionally cause eye pressure issues.
The LASIK corneal flap can also present concerns.
For instance, contact sport participants face increased risk of flap trauma or dislocation after surgery. However, your doctor should advise appropriate precautions and activity restrictions based on your lifestyle.
Follow-up appointments
Your doctor will schedule several follow-up appointments to monitor progress, typically within days of surgery, at the one-month mark, and at the three-month mark.
How likely is it that I would have to come back for retreatment?
With advanced procedures like LASIK Xtra and wavefront-guided LASIK, retreatment is rare. However, we typically quote a 1% chance of retreatment to account for unexpected over or under-corrections.