Did you know that laser vision correction was approved by the FDA over 25 years ago? But be assured the LASIK performed today at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists is significantly different from that of the late 1990s. For example, the introduction of Contoura in 2015. So, what is Contoura LASIK? The proper term is Contoura Vision Topography Guided LASIK. At the heart of the procedure, this is still a LASIK or PRK treatment in which we utilize the WaveLight EX500 laser for corneal reshaping. However, we can enhance a treatment with Contoura. Contoura utilizes up to 22,000 data points from the Vario Topolyzer to create a detailed corneal map that guides the EX500 laser treatment. This allows us to perform more personalized laser procedures.
Contoura Vision Topography Guided LASIK integrates the WaveLight Topolyzer Vario Diagnostic Device (VARIO) data with our WaveLight EX500 laser. The VARIO combines two features:
Your cornea is unique to you, just like your fingerprint. This innovative device captures detailed, sophisticated scans of your cornea showing the peaks and valleys. It also measures aberrations or imperfections in the optics of your cornea that are then reduced by the laser during the procedure. Contoura Vision has the potential to produce an even better outcome by adding this additional layer of vision correction customization. While not everyone will qualify for or benefit from topography-guided technology, nearly all patients will benefit from the precision of iris registration.
The cornea is not a naturally smooth surface. It has microscopic peaks and valleys that vary from person to person. These peaks and valleys affect how the light passes through the cornea. Glasses and contacts cannot correct for these natural peaks and valleys.
Using Contoura technology, we gather extra data points to smooth out the peaks and valleys, creating crisper, clearer vision for each patient’s unique eyes– potentially even better than you can achieve with glasses and/or contacts. It’s similar to the differences between watching television in SD and watching it in HD. Although the SD images may look fine, eyesight with HD vision, Contoura Vision, will appear much sharper after treatment with this advanced technology.
At Providence Eye, all patients are evaluated for Contoura Vision Topography Guided LASIK during their complimentary consultation with their potential LASIK surgeon. Not all patients are good candidates for Contoura LASIK. You must be within the approved treatment range. However, being a candidate is not enough. We want to ensure our patients will benefit from this additional level of customization. A few days prior to your scheduled procedure, your surgeon, Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery, will carefully analyze all of the data we collected regarding your vision and cornea. After this detailed analysis using a sophisticated software analytic engine, the surgeon will determine if he expects you to benefit from Contoura Vision.
If Contoura Vision would likely produce an even better vision correction result for you, Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery will integrate this next level of customization into your LASIK procedure. Please note that Contoura is always optional and that your likelihood of obtaining 20/20 vision is extremely high with or without this feature. If you elect not to be considered, or Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery decides it will not be of benefit to you, iris registration will still be incorporated into your procedure.
Contoura Vision Topography Guided LASIK is extremely detailed and time-consuming. It requires additional planning by our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery. Not all LASIK surgeons at other practices are willing to invest this time for their patients! Here are a few more reasons why you might want to choose Providence Eye for your Contoura LASIK:
*Lobanoff, M. Clinical and Refractive Outcomes after Topography-Guided Refractive Surgery Planned Using Phorcides Analytic Surgery Planning Software, ASCRS Annual Meeting: Las Vegas, Nevada; July 23-27; Las Vegas Nevada
Schedule a complimentary consultation to have your questions answered by one of our Contoura LASIK surgeons.
