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| A decentered ablation will cause a shift in the refractive error across the visual axis, resulting in poor vision quality. |
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Decentered ablation is when the area reshaped by the laser in
PRK,
LASEK,
Lasik,
Epi-Lasik, and other laser assisted refractive surgery techniques
is not centered to the eye's
visual axis. This often means the edge of the ablation zone
is within the visual axis, producing
ghosting,
starbursts, and/or
halos. It is possible that an enhancement will correct the decentered
ablation, but that process may increase refractive error and make
you
overcorrected.
Excimer lasers that use high
frequency eye tracking systems significantly reduce the probability
of a decentered ablation, however a decentered ablation can occur
even with a tracker. It is important for the patient to fixate on
the target within the laser during surgery.
An ablation that corrects
only the decentered portion of the original ablation is most desirable,
but is limited by technology. CWR may resolve a decentered ablation. If you have a decentered
ablation, discuss the current technology and techniques with your
doctor.
Looking For Best Lasik Surgeon?
If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional
or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, or any refractive surgery procedure, we recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization.
Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Doctor.
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