Wavefront-optimized LASIK equals wavefront guided for most patients

CHICAGO — Wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized LASIK with the WaveLight Allegretto Wave laser achieved nearly identical visual outcomes at 3 and 6 months postop, and neither treatment induced higher-order aberrations, according to information from WaveLight.

In and instructional course at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, Bill Bond, MD, presented 3- and 6-month results of a randomized study comparing the two techniques, according to a WaveLight press release. Patients with myopia of up to 7 D and astigmatism of up to 3 D were eligible for participation in the multicenter study.

In the 81% of participants with less than 0.3 µm of preoperative higher-order aberrations, equivalent outcomes were achieved with either laser platform, according to WaveLight. For those with preop higher-order aberrations greater than 0.3 µm, aberrations were reduced slightly more with wavefront-guided treatment than with wavefront-optimized treatment on the Allegretto Wave laser. Neither platform induced aberrations after treatment.

“Approximately 82% of all patients reported postoperative visual acuity better or equal to preoperative best corrected visual acuity, and 55% of patients gained one or more lines of vision. No loss of contrast sensitivity was observed with either platform,” the press release stated.

Wavefront-optimized treatment is the standard treatment on the Allegretto Wave laser. Dr. Bond noted in the press release that “Wavefront-optimized LASIK provides considerable benefits to all patients without inducing spherical aberrations. Only a small proportion of patients benefit from wavefront-guided treatments, and it is still unclear how much benefit is achieved.”