Star Wars technology could offer new hope to those experiencing problems after laser vision correction.

Main Line Eye Specialists use advanced diagnostic testing program with Wavefront technology.

More than a million people will have laser vision correction this year. Most of those will be very happy with their outcome, many able to see without glasses or contacts for the first time in years. A small minority will have ongoing frustration due to halos and glare, reduced contrast sensitivity or problems with night vision.

The new advanced diagnostic testing program at Jones Eye Centers is seeking solutions for these patients through new wavefront technology. This revolutionary program will be the largest of its kind in the country.

Originally developed as part of the Star Wars anti-missile defense program and used by astronomers to enhance the images found through ground-based telescopes, wavefront technology is now positioned as possibly the biggest breakthrough in refractive surgery in years.

The first phase of the testing program involves the use of new wavefront diagnostic equipment, now in the research phase. This equipment allows surgeons to measure "higher order" aberrations (imperfections) that are not currently measured by traditional means. Wavefront technology can detect these aberrations to provide a better, more accurate representation of the entire optical system. Clinical studies which couple these measurements with an excimer laser for a custom treatment are starting in the spring of 2002.

While this new technology has the potential to predict a more accurate treatment regimen for a new refractive patient, an even more important benefit lies in the possibility of treating residual aberrations in past refractive surgery patients. In many cases, these residual aberrations are the cause for glare, halo and poor contrast sensitivity. The ability to bring these patients to a greatly improved level of vision will be a pioneering step in the future of vision correction.

Dr. Richard E. Roth, director of refractive surgery at Main Line Eye Specialists believes that this new technology has great potential. "The advances in laser vision correction have been amazing. Millions of people are enjoying improved vision, but we're always looking for ways to make the process better - to take it to the next level. Wavefront could be the technology that takes us there."

If you are interested in learning more about Wavefront, make an appointment online or call 610-687-6888 or email Andrea at advocate@MainlineEyeSpecialists.com.