Transform your vision with the iDesign® Refractive Studio, a groundbreaking mapping technology that customizes your LASIK procedure with extraordinary precision, ensuring the best possible outcome tailored to your unique eyes.
The iDesign® Refractive Studio is a revolutionary mapping technology that allows our LASIK surgeons to create a highly detailed, 3D image of your eye's unique structure. This personalized "fingerprint" guides your LASIK procedure with incredible precision, correcting your vision with a level of customization that goes far beyond a standard prescription for glasses or contacts.
A standard vision prescription corrects for common imperfections like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, every eye also has tiny, unique irregularities, much like a fingerprint. The iDesign® Refractive Studio is an advanced diagnostic system that captures these details. It creates a complete analysis of your eye's optical pathway, allowing for a truly personalized vision correction procedure tailored specifically to you.
In one rapid scan (about three seconds), the iDesign® system samples 1,245 wavefront measurement points and integrates up to 22,000 corneal topography data points to generate a detailed 3D map of your entire optical system. It performs two critical measurements simultaneously. First, it uses wavefront analysis to map how light travels *inside* your eye, identifying all optical imperfections. Second, it uses a corneal topographer to map the exact shape and curvature of the *outside* surface of your eye. This combination creates a complete 3D map of your vision.
This incredibly detailed map is then used as the guide for your iLASIK™ procedure. The data is entered into the laser system, programming it to deliver a precise and personalized treatment. Because the plan is based on your eye's unique characteristics, no one else in the world will ever receive the same treatment. It is a procedure that is one-of-a-kind, just for you.
The primary benefit of the iDesign® system is the exceptional level of customization it brings to your LASIK surgery. The system's measurements are 25 times more precise than the traditional methods used for prescribing glasses or contacts. This allows our surgeons to correct not just common refractive errors, but also the subtle higher-order aberrations that can affect the quality of your vision, especially at night. The corneal flap in an iLASIK™ procedure is created with a femtosecond laser, which offers more predictable flap thickness and fewer flap-related complications compared to a mechanical microkeratome.
By addressing the full spectrum of your eye's imperfections, the iDesign® system helps achieve a higher quality of vision. Patients often report not only seeing more clearly, but seeing *better*. This can mean sharper details, improved contrast sensitivity, and a reduction in visual issues like glare, starbursts, and halos around lights, which are common complaints with traditional vision correction methods.
The enhanced precision and capabilities of the iDesign® system mean that more people than ever before may be candidates for LASIK. It has been FDA-approved for a wider range of conditions, including for patients with higher levels of astigmatism. This technology opens the door to vision correction for individuals who previously may not have been eligible for the procedure.
The iDesign® Refractive Studio is FDA-approved to perform Monovision LASIK for patients with presbyopia. Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near vision that typically begins after age 40. This specialized procedure can correct one eye for distance and the other for near vision, dramatically reducing or eliminating the need for reading glasses.
The iDesign® system is FDA-approved to create treatment plans for a wide range of common refractive errors. This includes nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and mixed astigmatism. If you rely on glasses or contacts to correct your vision for any of these conditions, you may be an excellent candidate for a custom iLASIK™ procedure.
If your primary motivation is to free yourself from the daily hassles of glasses and contact lenses, iDesign® LASIK offers a long-lasting solution. Successful treatment can provide a permanent improvement in your vision, allowing you to enjoy activities like swimming, sports, and traveling without worrying about your corrective eyewear. It offers a significant improvement in convenience and overall quality of life.
To be a good candidate for any LASIK procedure, your vision prescription should be stable. This means it has not changed significantly for at least one year prior to your consultation. Refractive stability ensures that the correction made during the procedure will be accurate and long-lasting. Our LASIK surgeon will review your history to confirm your prescription's stability.
Your overall eye health is a critical factor. Ideal candidates have healthy corneas of sufficient thickness and are free from eye diseases like advanced glaucoma or significant cataracts. During your comprehensive consultation, our LASIK surgeon will perform a detailed examination to ensure your eyes are healthy enough for a safe and effective procedure.
Recent clinical studies have underscored the efficacy and safety of the iDesign Refractive Studio in laser vision correction. These studies highlight its precision, long-term stability, and patient satisfaction.
A study presented at the 2023 ASCRS Annual Meeting revealed that 97% of patients experienced an improvement of more than one line in best-corrected distance vision. This indicates the system's effectiveness in enhancing visual acuity.
Data from a 2021 study demonstrated that the iDesign 2.0 Refractive Studio provides stable refractive outcomes over time. The integration of topography-guided measurements contributes to this long-term stability.
A clinical trial involving 334 eyes reported a low incidence of adverse events, with serious complications occurring in less than 1% of cases. However, as with any surgical procedure, the risk of complications can vary based on individual factors, and it is important to discuss these risks with our doctor. This supports the safety of the iDesign system in clinical settings.
Studies have shown high levels of patient satisfaction, with many expressing a preference for the iDesign system over traditional LASIK methods. This reflects the positive reception of the technology among patients.
Comparative studies indicate that the iDesign system may offer superior outcomes in correcting higher-order aberrations compared to other LASIK technologies. This suggests its advanced capabilities in addressing complex visual issues.
Laser vision correction may not be suitable for individuals with specific systemic health issues. This includes patients with active connective tissue diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, or autoimmune conditions that can affect wound healing. Uncontrolled diabetes can also impact the healing process and may make you an unsuitable candidate for the procedure.
The LASIK procedure involves reshaping the cornea. Therefore, having a cornea that is thick enough and has a regular shape is essential for safety and success. Conditions like keratoconus (an abnormal bulging of the cornea) or corneas that are naturally too thin would disqualify a person from undergoing the procedure. Our iDesign® scan will precisely measure your corneal thickness.
Before proceeding, we perform a comprehensive dry-eye evaluation—measuring tear-film breakup time, osmolarity, and meibomian gland function—to ensure any tear-film instability is treated first, since pre-existing dry eye can significantly affect healing and visual quality. LASIK can temporarily worsen dry eye symptoms. If you already suffer from severe or significant dry eye, it may interfere with the healing process and the quality of your visual outcome. In some cases, our LASIK surgeon can treat your dry eye disease before the procedure, but severe cases may make you a better candidate for an alternative vision correction option.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing can cause temporary fluctuations in your vision prescription. Because of this instability, LASIK is contraindicated for women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. We recommend waiting several months after nursing has ended to ensure your prescription is stable before proceeding with a consultation.
Take the first step towards unparalleled vision with iDesign® LASIK. Schedule a consultation with our experienced LASIK surgeons today to see if you're a candidate for this advanced procedure.
Your journey begins with an in-depth eye health evaluation. During this visit, we will use the iDesign® Refractive Studio to perform the detailed mapping of your eyes. This is a quick and painless scan that provides all the data needed to create your custom treatment plan. We will discuss the results with you and answer all of your questions.
On the day of your procedure, you should arrange for someone to drive you home, as your vision will be blurry immediately afterward. When you arrive, our team will help you feel comfortable. We will administer anesthetic eye drops to completely numb your eyes, and you may be offered a mild sedative to help you relax throughout the process.
The entire procedure for both eyes usually takes less than 20 minutes. A small device will hold your eyelids open to prevent blinking. First, an ultra-fast laser creates a thin, hinged flap on your cornea. This flap is gently lifted, and a second, highly precise excimer laser, guided by your iDesign® map, reshapes the corneal tissue underneath. The flap is then repositioned, where it begins to heal immediately.
After the procedure, you will rest for a short while before going home. The most important thing to do is rest your eyes. You will be given protective shields to wear, especially while sleeping. It is normal to feel some mild discomfort or grittiness, which can be managed with prescribed eye drops. Your first follow-up visit will typically be the very next day.
Traditional LASIK corrects vision based only on your standard glasses or contact lens prescription. It does not account for the unique, subtle imperfections (higher-order aberrations) of your eye. iDesign®-guided LASIK, by contrast, corrects your vision based on a detailed 3D map of these imperfections, resulting in a more precise procedure and a potentially higher quality of vision.
Contoura® Vision is another advanced technology that uses topography mapping to measure up to 22,000 points on the cornea's surface. While this is a highly detailed map of the outer eye, iDesign® takes a more comprehensive approach. It combines topography of the outer eye with wavefront analysis of the inner eye's entire optical system. Our practice prefers the holistic iDesign® approach for its all-encompassing analysis.
By integrating both topography and wavefront guidance, iDesign Refractive Studio sets a new standard for personalized LASIK. The topography aspect focuses on capturing the exact shape and curvature of the cornea, while wavefront guidance delves deeper by assessing how light travels through the eye’s optical pathway. This combined approach provides a holistic view, ensuring that the laser treatment is uniquely suited to your physiological makeup.
The level of precision provided by the iDesign® Refractive Studio translates into outstanding visual outcomes. In clinical studies submitted to the FDA, the majority of nearsighted patients who underwent an iDesign®-guided procedure achieved vision of 20/16 or better six months after their surgery. This means they could see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can only see at 16 feet.
The goal of LASIK is to provide clear, functional vision without the need for corrective eyewear. Clinical data demonstrates the remarkable success of procedures guided by this technology. Six months after their iLASIK™ procedure, 94% of all clinical study participants could see 20/20 or better, highlighting the effectiveness and reliability of this advanced treatment platform.
Beyond the numbers, patients report substantial improvements in their daily lives. At six months post-procedure, nearsighted patients in clinical studies reported significant enhancements in all measures of vision quality. This included clarity of vision, satisfaction with their correction, improved near and far vision, and fewer activity limitations, such as difficulty with night driving.
These excellent results are based on extensive clinical trials reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The data from studies P930016 and its supplements (S044, S045 & S048) formally document the safety and effectiveness of the iLASIK™ platform, including the iDesign® system, for correcting a wide range of refractive errors and improving patients' quality of life.
No, the procedure itself is not painful. We use powerful anesthetic eye drops to ensure your eyes are completely numb throughout the process. You may feel a slight sensation of pressure briefly, but you should not feel any pain. After the procedure, it is common to experience some mild discomfort, itching, or a feeling like an eyelash is in the eye, which typically subsides within a day or two.
Recovery is remarkably fast. Many patients notice clearer vision within minutes or hours of the procedure. Most people can return to work and normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. While functional vision returns quickly, it is important to remember that the eye undergoes a full healing process that can take three months or longer. Following our post-operative care instructions is vital.
LASIK is one of the safest elective surgical procedures, but it does have potential risks. The most common side effects are temporary and include dry eyes, glare, halos, and sensitivity to light. These issues typically fade as your eyes heal. More serious complications are very rare, and we will discuss all potential risks and benefits with you during your consultation.
Take the first step towards unparalleled vision with iDesign® LASIK. Schedule a consultation with our experienced LASIK surgeons today to see if you're a candidate for this advanced procedure.
Experience personalized LASIK procedures with the iDesign® Refractive Studio, offering unmatched precision and improved vision quality.
