New Lasik uses the same kind of laser as is used in PRK or photorefractive keratectomy. PRK was actually the forerunner of new Lasik, and new Lasik was developed much later. The difference between the two processes lies in the way they handle the exposure of stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, before being vaporized with laser. While the PRK scrapes away the epithelium, the top layer of the cornea, to expose the stromal layer, the new Lasik cuts a flap in the stromal layer and then folds it back. The first refractive laser systems approved by FDA, excimer lasers, were used in PRK to treat myopia and astigmatism. Later, when new Lasik was invented, these lasers were used to treat other refractive errors. These days Lasik treatment is used for people suffering from eye diseases like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

The last ten years have seen major developments occurring in the field of laser vision correction technology. These developments include enhanced eye tracking systems during the laser procedure, larger treatment zones, improved mechanical and laser microkeratomes which reduce flap complications among others. However, the one FDA approval which deserves special mention is CustomVue LASIK from VISX utilizing wave front guided treatment (June, 2003). This will be the preponderant form of the new Lasik.

The new Lasik is different from the conventional Lasik. The new Lasik is wave front guided, while the conventional had to rely on other crude and inaccurate measures to measure eye’s optics. This new accurate measurement of the optics of each eye has contributed a lot to the better results of the new Lasik procedure. This measurement is essential to program the laser for reshaping the cornea. Conventionally, the surgeon would have to objectively measure the eye with a handheld instrument or an automated measuring device, and then ask the patient to subjectively polish the measurement. Since the eye’s optical system is not uniform throughout the central 6 mm of measurement, this conventional method was erroneous and led to degraded results. The new Lasik wave front can precisely measure even the minute areas.

Though conventional Lasik was and still is an effective treatment, the wave front guided new Lasik is better, and provides better visual results. This new Lasik uses a wave print of the eye’s optical system, 25 times more precise than average measurement, to guide the laser reshaping. This is so because data is collected from hundreds of separate points in the central 6mm area of cornea. Thus the cornea shaping is customized at each of the hundreds of points, giving the patients a better quality of vision.