Wavefront-guided LASIK (also called "custom" LASIK) is a more advanced LASIK procedure that's capable of correcting not only nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, but also optical imperfections of the eye called higher order aberrations (HOA) that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or standard LASIK surgery.

HOA are unique to each individual. If you take 10 people who have the exact same eyeglasses prescription, each person will have different higher order aberrations that can affect their vision. This is why wavefront-guided LASIK is also called custom LASIK or customized LASIK: the treatment is 100% customized for each patient.

In standard LASIK, the treatment plan for the excimer laser is essentially an eyeglasses prescription---a single lens power for the entire eye.

In wavefront-guided LASIK, the treatment laser is programmed with measurements from a computerized instrument called an aberrometer. These measurements, frequently called a wavescan, are 25 times more precise than those of an eyeglasses prescription and also contain detailed information about the eye's higher order aberrations.

The wavescan measurements are transferred digitally from the aberrometer to the excimer laser, programming it to deliver a customized treatment that addresses the eye's unique optical imperfections.

With it's ability to measure and treat higher order aberrations as well as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, wavefront-guided LASIK may be capable of providing better visual quality than eyeglasses, contact lenses, or standard LASIK surgery.