The Difference Between Contoura Vision and Traditional LASIK

If you are struggling with poor vision and want to do something about it, you have two main options-Contoura Vision and Traditional LASIK. While most people are familiar with LASIK, Contoura vision can offer the same and maybe more benefits. Before comparing the differences between the two, let us understand each option and how they compare.

Contoura Vision: What is It, How it Works, and the Cost

It is an individualized, accurate, and exceptionally advanced LASIK treatment. Using the procedure, a surgeon can get an exact and detailed cornea mapping of the patient, which enables them to offer personalized care to their patients. Usually, the cornea has more than 22,000 elevation points.

The advanced technology in the process makes it easy to see these points, analyze them, and send them to the surgical planning computer. The computer then directs the laser beam to the curvature at each end. Thus, Contoura vision is topography-guided. The result is an undeniably better vision for patients.

How it Works

Contoura vision works in a three-step process. The equipment measures and treats the aberration profile on the cornea surface. It then centers the cornea apex instead of the pupil, which is considered in traditional LASIK. Then, it uses the cornea’s unique shape to personalize treatment.

After the treatment, the recovery is straightforward, and you can resume your routine in 48 hours. However, during your recovery, your doctor will recommend only light physical activity until they approve anything further. Intense physical activity can dislodge the flap and slow your recovery.

Cost

Contoura is a recent addition to eye surgeries, and with the sophisticated cornea information capture system, it offers superb results. However, while it is effective, it is a little costly, and you can expect to get Contoura vision on your eye at an average cost of $3,000 for every eye.

Traditional LASIK: What it Is, How it Works, and its Cost

It was an eye surgery portion, introduced in the 1990s, which treated low-aberration eye problems associated with refractive eye problems. Before the procedure, the doctor would have you take a LASIK test by holding several lenses up to know the degree of correction your eye needed.

How it Works

Traditional LASIK is a two-step procedure where a microkeratome (a high-precision, oscillating blade) is used to create the flap in the top layer of the cornea. Once the corneal flap has been lifted, the excimer laser is used to reshape the patient’s corneal tissue precisely. The excimer laser had 3D eye tracking, ensuring it remains accurately aligned with your eye. After the procedure, the doctor would lay the flap back down and leave it to heal.

In 1999mWavefront technology was developed, and it changed traditional LASIK to custom LASIK. Thanks to Wavefront, custom LASIK is a more accurate option to detect and resolve vision problems, offering more efficiency.

Cost

LASIK costs between $1500 and $3,500 per eye, depending on the type of LASIK you will undergo. The experience of the surgeon also plays a role in the price.

How are the Two Different?

While both are advanced eye surgeries that need a laser to reshape the cornea, there are some differences between the two procedures. The first is in the quality of the results. While LASIK has gained popularity as a top-notch eye surgery that helps patients get clear vision and eliminate the need for lenses, Contoura vision offers higher quality results and refractive outcomes in most cases. In addition, the advanced use of technology that maps out the cornea makes it more effective and thus offers better results.

Second, there is a difference as to what each procedure treats. For example, LASIK only helps with refractive eye problems, while Contoura vision helps treat refractive errors and other irregularities associated with the cornea, including optics. Mostly, patients experience poor vision due to irregular cornea curvature. Contoura helps with this as the treatment focuses on the cornea curvature. So, it is not as restrictive as LASIK.

Third, the two surgeries have different processes. When undergoing Contoura vision, the equipment maps out your cornea, and the information is computerized and passed to a uniquely designed laser. So, the surgeon gets an individualized treatment plan. In LASIK, the surgery uses equipment to personalize the treatment, but the process is not very advanced to map out all the 22,000 points in the cornea.

Take Away

Both options are variants of laser eye surgery that can help correct your vision. Schedule your free consultation with us. Let us have your eye examined, and we will let you know the most suitable procedure based on your eye and physical health.