A New Era in LASIK
For more than 20 years, LASIK has given millions of people the freedom to live without glasses or contacts. But technology continues to evolve. The latest advancement, wavelight® plus LASIK, brings a new level of personalization, precision, and potential outcomes to laser vision correction.
At Best LASIK Surgeons (BLS), our mission is to help you understand these breakthroughs and connect you with the nation’s top surgeons who use the most advanced technologies available.
What Is wavelight® plus?
Developed by Alcon, wavelight® plus is an FDA-approved, next-generation LASIK platform. Unlike standard LASIK, which primarily reshapes the cornea, wavelight plus uses ray tracing technology to map how light travels through your entire eye.
This creates a highly detailed “digital twin” of your visual system, drawing on more than 1,500 data points per eye. Your surgeon can then design a treatment plan tailored to your unique optical fingerprint.
How Does It Differ From Standard LASIK?
| Feature | Standard LASIK | wavelight® plus LASIK |
|---|---|---|
| Area measured | Cornea only | Entire optical system (cornea + internal optics) |
| Data points | Limited | 1,500+ per eye |
| Personalization | Generalized treatment | Fully customized plan |
| Night vision & glare | Some risk of halos/glare | Designed to reduce glare and improve clarity |
| Outcomes | Many patients achieve 20/20 | Clinical studies show higher rates of 20/16+ (results vary) |
By correcting subtle imperfections that standard LASIK may miss, wavelight plus is designed to deliver sharper, clearer vision, especially in low-light settings like night driving.
Who Is a Candidate?
The general eligibility is similar to standard LASIK:
- Age 18+ with stable vision prescription
- Healthy corneas and overall eye health
- No active eye disease or uncontrolled medical conditions
Here’s what’s new: because wavelight plus measures the entire optical pathway, some patients who were previously told they weren’t ideal candidates for LASIK may now qualify. The only way to know is through a comprehensive consultation with a LASIK specialist.
What to Expect
- Consultation: Advanced diagnostics, including ray tracing and 3D mapping.
- Procedure: The surgery itself is bladeless, quick, and uses numbing drops.
- Recovery: Many patients notice improvement within 24 hours, though mild dryness, glare, or sensitivity are still possible as the eyes heal.
- Results: Clinical studies show many patients achieve 20/20 or better, and some reach 20/16 vision. However, as with all LASIK, results vary and perfect vision isn’t guaranteed.
Why wavelight plus Matters
The promise of LASIK has always been clarity and freedom. With wavelight plus, patients may benefit from:
- Sharper detail and improved contrast
- Reduced halos and glare at night
- More personalized correction for unique eyes
- Higher likelihood of exceeding 20/20 vision
This technology represents a major step forward in making LASIK even more precise and predictable.
Availability in the U.S.
Because wavelight plus is newly introduced, it is currently available at only a few select centers in the United States. Access is expected to expand as more surgeons adopt the platform.
If you are considering LASIK, it’s worth asking your surgeon what advanced technologies they offer — including wavelight plus.
Why Choose a Surgeon Through Best LASIK Surgeons
Technology is powerful, but it’s only as effective as the surgeon who uses it. That’s why finding the right LASIK specialist matters.
With BLS, you can:
- Search our national directory of top, board-certified LASIK surgeons
- Know you’re connecting with professionals recognized among the Best LASIK Surgeons in America
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About the Author Written by Dr. Michael Shumski, M.D., M.S.E.
Dr. Shumski is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract & refractive surgery at Magruder Laser Vision in central Florida.
