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SNEC Announces Final Results of Wavefront-Guided LASIK (Customised Laser Vision Correction) Under Bausch & Lomb (B&L) Global Alliance Study

A randomised multi-centre trial on the wavefront-guided LASIK technology under the Bausch & Lomb (B&L) global alliance study has concluded recently. The wavefront-guided technology (ZyoptixTM) customises the laser treatment to each individual's eye by using a special diagnostic equipment called the aberrometer. Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) was among the 6 reference centres in the world involved in the global randomised trial.

Conventional vision correction techniques reshape the cornea based on the patient's manifest refraction which involves the use of trial lens measurement and the patient's subjective judgement of whether a particular set of lenses (degree) enables the patient see better. The aberrometer is not only able to measure an eye's refraction (degree) accurately and objectively, but is also able to distinguish the fine optical aberrations even among patients with the same degree of myopia (same lens prescription).This more objective and scientific way of measurement will give eye surgeons more accurate measurements to tailor the laser pattern to each individual's eye characteristics and thus further enhance the already excellent results obtainable with conventional LASIK surgery.

In the randomised controlled multi-centre trial, one eye of each patient was randomly assigned to undergo conventional LASIK and the fellow eye customised LASIK using the wavefront guided system and the results were measured after a 3 month follow-up period. SNEC concluded the trial in September last year and contributed data on 68 eyes. SNEC's results have been pooled with the worldwide study data.

The final results analysed from the global study showed that a higher proportion of eyes that underwent customised LASIK using the ZyoptixTM system had better unaided vision compared to those eyes that underwent conventional LASIK. The eyes that had customised LASIK also had better predictability and accuracy of the result and the procedure met all the various safety and efficacy parameters. SNEC ophthalmologist has been invited to present the final results of the trial at the 29th International Congress of Ophthalmology meeting in Sydney in April 2002.

SNEC started laser vision correction surgery since 1992 and has performed 13,300 laser procedures over the years.With the successful conclusion of the worldwide multi-centre trial, SNEC will be providing customised LASIK as part of its laser refractive surgery service for patients who are suited for this procedure.

An additional cost of $170 will be charged for the ZyoptixTM treatment card and $25 for the aberrometer test. Total cost of the customised LASIK will be $2470 per eye.