The basic function of Contoura Vision Lasik surgery is similar as topography guided Lasik. The objective of this procedure is improvement of vision, by correcting astigmatism refractive error.

Basically Lasik surgery is considered as the most popular, familiar, recent and advanced surgery for correction of vision. And efficiency and effectiveness of the surgery is further improved and developed by recent leaps and bounds. Eventually, Topography-Guided Lasik has been developed and stands today as one of the latest vision correction procedures, which created ripples and vibrated medical industry. The specialities of this procedure are its unique capabilities and highly effectiveness. In addition to that it adds up and enables greater personalization with improved precision for ophthalmologists than the standard treatment procedures of Lasik. According to the research reports recently, the vision quality is revolutionized with this procedure, by implementing modern technologies and techniques and all these are proven by improved satisfaction levels of the patients, which indicate the success and popularity of the procedure, directly.

So far Lasik surgery stands as the most advanced and popular surgery for vision correction and recent eye surgery technology developments improved the effectiveness and efficiency by bounds and leaps. Topography-Guided Lasik laser eye surgery is the latest procedure for vision correction, which made ripples in the medical field, because of highly effective and unique capabilities. This technology is also referred as Contoura Lasik it empowered and enabled the ophthalmologists to add much improved precision and greater personalization when compared to the standard Lasik treatment procedures. The recent researches report that the procedures of vision quality have been revolutionized with the modern techniques and eventually the patients’ satisfaction levels are the direct indication of the popularity and success of these new methods and procedures.

The traditional and standard Lasik technologies can discover the date about the cornea, Contoura Lasik can collect corneal structure’s comprehensive details and these details become highly significant for personalized surgical procedures. The advanced and latest topographer enable the system to measure all previously immeasurable patient’s eyes characteristics and these details help the ophthalmologist for detailed patient profile development and design customized, individualized and effective Lasik surgery for the eye.

The research and study conducted indicate that topography-guided Lasik has clearly improved vision for the patient than the clear vision and corrections through eye glasses and contact lens. Contoura Lasik today stands as the further leap in the personalized high technology evaluation for the correction procedures of vision in the US.

The benefits are proven for this methodology and FDA has approved and these benefits are limited for many of the diagnosed eye patients, but not all.

Issues With Cornea

Cornea gets misshaped or irregularly shaped sometimes and it results in distorted or blur image at varied distances, to some degree. The root cause of astigmatism, usually is usually accompanied by headaches or eye strain, which become more intense after longer reading or visual tasks. One more very common astigmatism symptom is squinting and all such troublesome problem can be well treated effectively through Contoura Lasik.

Contoura Vision Uniqueness (USP)

Contoura vision is performed using a special topolyser, which enables the process to map and remove the irregularities of the cornea by marking unique elevation points of about 22,000 over the cornea. The process is special as it can create smooth and perfect cornea surface that is optically visible, enhancing the overall quality and visual sharpness at higher levels.

The logic associated with the Contoura vision technology is that it treats the refractive error by treating the natural eye’s seeing axis called visual axis. It is different from the other procedures, like SMILE and LASIK, which treat over papillary axis. The advantage of the visual axis associated treatment is that it enhances the overall vision quality.

Contoura Vision Lasik surgery is the first laser eye procedure that can be personalized. The procedure includes the software or additional profile applied to the respective excimer laser and it offers treatment that links with topography. Most often, this software is offered by the Alcon Wavelight laser company. The technology is applied only when the center or surgeon uses Topolyser Vario, a topography mapping diagnostic equipment that gets integrated to the laser. Contoura Vision combines glass prescription measurements towards optimizing focusing area.

How Contoura Vision Technology Is Developed?

Vision correction treatments are centuries old and eye glasses were designed and developed in the 13th century in Europe. Development of contact lenses was done later part of 1800s in Switzerland. Further, Radial Keratotomy has been developed by a Russian ophthalmologist to treat nearsightedness. This procedure has been transitioned to photorefractive keratectomy in 1990s, by the FDA in the US. The same procedure has been further refined and transformed into LASIK surgery, in which a small cornea flap is raised to enable reshaping the underlying tissues of the cornea and after the surgery, the flap is replaced. LASIK has vibrated the medical industry in correcting the refractive error, enabling many surgeons to correct long sightedness, short sightedness and astigmatism.

The refractive error procedure is further refined and enhanced with wavefront analysis, in 1999. The procedure helps to map the error of the eyes of the patient, as a whole. Further development is to customize the procedure after programming the data into the laser, which has bettered the results to multiple times. Eventual procedure developed is Contoura vision and the principle involved in it is topography. The procedure provides a 22,000 cornea points precise mapping.

Topography – Guided Lasik Technology

Topography Guided Lasik is a newer technology, which ensures effective outcomes, with collaboration of Contoura Vision and Alcon Laboratories. The surgery procedure depends over the WaveLightTopolyzerVario Diagnostic device, which gets operated with proprietary treatment planning software. The procedure of cornea ablation is conducted using Allegrettor Wave Eye-Q Laser system or WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser system from Alcon Laboratories. According to expert ophthalmologists, the topography guided ablation procedure delivers unsurpassed and better visual acuity, when compared to the standard procedure of corneal ablation. Both wave technology and topographer are combined in the procedure to ensure overall accurate cornea shaping and quality improvement of vision.

Usually, Contoura Vision technology offers the following features.

  • The technology can treat one number in as low as 1.6 seconds.
  • It offers three kinds of customized treatments.
  • The technology enables the surgeons to save about 40% of tissue of cornea.
  • It consists the techniques to enhance contrast and improve night vision.

Standard and Traditional Lasik Vs. Contoura Lasik

The technology associated with the standard and traditional Lasik enables the surgeons to discover basic information about cornea. In addition to these details, Contoura Lasik collects more and comprehensive details about the structure of the cornea and the same details stand very important for the surgical procedures, customized. The previously immeasurable details and characteristics of the patient’s eye are measured by the latest and advanced topographer and these details enable the ophthalmologist to prepare the development of patient profile. Finally, the profile becomes a well designed and individualized for the patient. Eventually, these details become key for effective Lasik surgery.

The difference is clearer, when explored in detail. When standard Lasik performed as standard wavefront guided, a light targeted beam is sent and focused to the eye and it gets reflected off the retina. After reflection of the light, measurement points of about 200 are taken, related to curvature, are taken of the eye. These points stand as reference to analyze the irregularities in the light pattern, as these points are passed through the visual pathway. Based on this analysis, a treatment profile is developed. When the Lasik procedure is performed with Contoura Vision process, the measurements are focused only over the cornea, which is a clear eye window, where identification and location of imperfections of vision are done. The procedure of mapping of surface is done using 22,000 topographical points. Eventually, a detailed scan is created and detailed microscope valleys and peaks are identified. The microscopic scan allows smoothing out through advanced laser system and procedure.

The cornea’s irregularities are smoothed and light penetrates into the eye so evenly, as the optical quality becomes quite perfect. The result is in sharper and clearer vision. The problems associated with the halos around the lights and glare become almost negligible. The complaints are reduced to a greater extent.

Topography guided Lasik surgery has improved the eye vision in a better way compared to the refractive error correction and clear vision through contact lens and glasses. The same has been proved by the researches and study. It is possible as Contoura stands as a further leap in evolution of higher and personalized technology for vision correction procedure in the US. All its benefits are legitimated as the FDA has approved the same. These benefits are limited for some of the patients, diagnosed, however, not all of them.

Contoura Vision In India

Contoura Vision has received approval from the FDA in the US, after favourable clinical trials and results, in multi centers, with superior clinical safety and efficacy. Later, it has been launched in early 2016, commercially. Food and Drug Administration in the US stands as a regulatory body and it consistently evaluates available and newer medical technology to ensure clinical safety and effectiveness and then respective doctors are allowed to offer the respective procedures to their patients, after rigorous clinical trials and tests. After two years of its commercial commencement, Contoura Vision is introduced in India.

Benefits

The primary benefit of the contoura vision eye surgery is its highest safety in the procedure of spectacles removal, as it is well approved by the FDA in the US.

The direct benefits of this surgery procedure are,

  • No bandage
  • Blade-less
  • Stitch-less
  • Pain-less
  • No hospitalization
  • No injections
  • Easy walk-in and easy walk-out spectacles free

 

Who is Eligible For Topography-Guided Lasik – Contoura Vision Lasik Surgery?

Patients, suffering from corneal imperfections, corneal abnormalities or high cylindrical powers grab more benefit from this procedure. However, this procedure is applicable and be eligible for only certain specific cases.

The basic eligibility criterion for the patients for Contoura vision Lasik surgery is nearsightedness. So, patients, with nearsightedness, either with astigmatism or without astigmatism are eligible to undergo this procedure. Though Astigmatism sounds like a eye disease or eye associated health problem, it is not so. The condition is quite similar to the refractive error, nearsightedness or farsightedness with additional problem, like eye’s capability of light focussing over the retina. Sometimes the condition also indicates deviation of cornea or lens over the retina or natural spherical curvature, which affects the light focusing capability of the eye.

The patients, who have the problem of nearsighted vision either with astigmatism or without it, can undergo Contoura Lasik surgery. The problem Astigmatism may sound like an eye health problem or eye disease, however is not. It is similar to farsightedness or nearsightedness, as it is a refractive error and additionally certain problems related to the light focusing capability of the eye on the retina. It also indicates deviation of lens or cornea from the natural spherical curvature and over the retina, the light is not focused properly.

When the cornea is irregularly shaped or misshaped, it results in blur or distorted image, to some degree at varied distances. The problem of astigmatism usually is accompanied by eye strain or headaches, especially, after long run visual tasks or reading. Another symptom of astigmatism, which is very common, is squinting and such problems that are troublesome can be treated using Contoura Lasik, effectively.

 

What Procedure Patient Has To Approach

  • Initially the patient has to start the process of seeking appointment and consultation with the eye specialist or ophthalmologist to initiate the process of detailed eye examination after consultation.
  • Quite commonly, the astigmatism patterns change from one patient to another considerably, as these are quite unique.
  • The unique pattern of the astigmatism is examined after comprehensive eye inspection by eye specialists, thereby confirming astigmatism of the patient and the treatment required for the patient is shared with the patient.
  • All the pros and cons are shared in detail with the patient, after assessing and checking the suitability for Topography Guided Lasik.
  • Finally, design and development of a highly personalized and specific Contoura Lasik is done perfectly and accurately towards correcting the vision.

Pre-Treatment Process

Pre-treatment evaluation is conducted by the optometrist and completed in 2 hours, approximately. During the evaluation, the following tasks are performed.

  • A complete history of health of overall body and eye.
  • The current method of vision correction is checked with the visual acuity method.
  • The current spectacle prescription is measured.
  • Checking of eye pressure is done

 

Diagnostic Procedure

  • The procedure of diagnostic starts with initial assessment of the eye and it is performed through detailed images at micro level. The assessment is done in a total comprehensive manner that helps in customized treatment.
  • Complete and detailed unique elevation points of around 22,000 performed over the cornea.
  • The next stage after collecting the data is processing of this resultant data, by applying the software called proprietary surgical planning software.
  • Visual optimization is then targeted through a custom profile, which is very personalized or individualized.

The next stage of evaluation is done by Lasik specialist and it includes the following.

  • The basic needs, expectations and motivations for laser vision correction or Lasik are assessed.
  • Fine measurement of the refraction or prescription is done, followed by measurement of refraction and size of pupils.
  • The shape of the cornea is measured with digital mapping procedure. the cornea thickness is measured with topography image.

In addition, the following Lasik specific tests are also conducted.

  • Wavefront analysis
  • Tear film evaluation for dry eyes.
  • Integrity and health of cornea of the eye evaluated at micro-level.
  • Health of optic nerve and retina assessment
  • If needed, other Lasik treatments related tests conducted

Finally, treatment options are declared and discussed with the patient and eligibility of the procedure is explored. Later, fee structure for the treatment and procedure of payment are discussed with the patient.

Surgical Procedure

  • The topography-enabled surgery procedure would be initiated by the ophthalmologist.
  • The procedure is performed by employing wave technology and so with less elevation point elevation, resulting in lesser removal of tissue.
  • Eventually, cornea reshaping and equalizing would then be performed towards attaining improved vision in a very accurate manner.
  • During the procedure, most of the patients experience no or very little discomfort.
  • The entire procedure can be completed in not more than 15 minutes.

Advantages

  • Contoura Lasik surgery is painless and personalized and so stands very effective in improving the eye vision.
  • The procedure uses both the technologies of hardware and software and so it is highly advanced.
  • It needs very less effort for performing tissue removal and corneal reshaping, by the surgeon.
  • Since the surgery procedure addresses the unique aspects of the patient’s cornea and covers all the patterns of astigmatism, the risks and side effects associated with the procedure are highly reduced.
  • The entire procedure takes very less time and it gets completed in just 25 minutes and the patient experiences very little pain or subtle discernible discomfort.
  • The procedure is effectively customized and so can successfully reduce 9different risks, such as light, halos, glare.

Results

Topography Guided Lasik treatment gets completed in very less time and the results are optimizing as follows.

  • Total recovery time varies from one patient to another.
  • Usually, patients suffering from refractive error with more prescription take more time to recover.
  • The primary noticeable result experienced by the patient is the dramatic improvement in terms of visual acuity.
  • After a day of the surgery, the patient can resume work in workplace.

More specifically, after one year of Contoura Vision surgery show the following results.

  • 20/25 or better vision is achieved by 96.5% patients.
  • 20/20 is achieved by 92.6% of eyes of patients.
  • 20/16 is achieved by 64.8% of eyes of patients.
  • 20/12.5 is achieved by 31.6% of eyes of patients.
  • 20/10 is achieved by 15.7% of eyes of patients.

Complications and Risks

Though it is very rare, technically certain risks and complications are possible to occur and for your information, those can be the following.

  • Among certain risks, some of them are watery eyes, red eyes.
  • In the first few days of the surgery, mild discomfort is possible during healing phase of the eyes.
  • If the patient suffers from any unexpected or severe risks and continues for longer time, unusually, immediate, one has to contact the surgeon for the medication.

Recovery

Dramatic visual improvements can be noticed by most of the Lasik patients, immediately after Contoura Vision Lasik procedure. still, total time for recovery varies from one patient to another. For instance, patients suffering from higher prescription may take more time for recovery.

Post Surgery Care

  • Small pain after the surgery may be continued for a few days. Minor issues like red eyes or watery eyes are experienced by some people.
  • Protective eye shields are placed over the eyes after the surgery and during the recovery, these shields help to protect from dust and accidental pressure applied.
  • Right after the surgery, someone has to be with you to drive home, after collecting the medicine needed to use and follow post surgery medication.
  • Rubbing over the eyes must be avoided.
  • The eyes must be maintained very clean and ensure clean environment around you.
  • Keep wearing the protective eye shields for a several hours, while at home and ensure comfort rest.
  • All the postoperative instructions must be very clearly noted and followed.

Discounted Cost of Contoura Vision Eye Laser Lasik Surgery

  • Contoura Vision Lasik Surgery costs 48,000 INR for both the eyes, and with SBK Technology or INR, it is 70,000 INR with 100% Blade Free Technology.
  • Contoura vision Lasik is a Topography Guided Lasik Surgery and is FDA approved latest technology for astigmatism and improvement of vision.

Contoura vision procedure is quite customized procedure and hence there is no fixed or exact cost followed at all the places. The cost of the surgery varies from 95,000 to 1,15,000 approximately, while Bladeless Lasik procedure is available with the cost ranging from 75,000 to 90,000, approximately. The increase in cost compared to the bladeless Lasik is because of the additional cost accumulated from specialized and state of the art equipment, pay for high-end medical expertise. Trained ophthalmologists and surgones are very less today. At certain places, the cost of Contoura Vision Surgery starts usually from 45,000 to 50,000 INR, for treating both the eyes and it costs around 70,000 INR, when performed with SBK technology, a blade free technology.

Studies and Reports

About 65% of eyes treated using topo-guided Lasik, Contour Vision technology, enable the patients to achieve vision better than 6/6, where normal human vision is specified as 6/6 vision. According to the international Journal and Refractive surgery, based on scientific research conducted at PGI, in Chandigarh, India indicate that Contoura vision, based on topography guided Lasik enabled the patients to achieve tissue ablation in smaller amounts, lower HOAs induction and better contrast sensitivity than Blade free Lasik performed regularly.

Reports From FDA

  • Close to 98% of patients, who have undergone the procedure of Contoura Vision are willing to choose the same procedure for themselves again, if opted.
  • The Contoura Vision pateitns have reported significant decrease in sensitivity to light, glare, driving difficulties during nights and many such annoying visual symptoms.
  • About 40% of the Contoura Vision patients achieved better vision than 20/20 or 6/6, which is normal vision for human beings.
  • Experts of Contoura Vision are at more ease with the technology, as faster tracker with the machine ensures proper customized ablation centration, each time over visual axis.

According to the reports, the results have shown that 40.4% chance to get better vision than 6/6. It means clinical trials of FDA with Contoura Vision, proved that study group of 40.4% has –obtained or extended to one or more than one lines of better corrected vision acuity or BCVA. And 13.5% of Contoura Vision pateitns achieved two lines over –the chart of visual acuity.

According to the documentation of a study, the complaints of night driving difficulty had been reduced to 4.4% than other procedures of laser vision correction. Complaints of glare, halos are also gradually reducing.

Finally Contoura Vision technology and procedure has won immediate acceptance, all over the world, with spectacular performance, in terms of surgeon comfort and patient satisfaction.

Be Cautious and Conscious

Most of the Contoura Vision centers are genuine and transparent, in delivering their services. However, -there are also centres, which offer Contoura Vision procedures and still perform Lasik procedure, instead of the committed one. So, one has to be very cautious and conscious about the detailed procedure to be performed and it must be conduced with the actual protocols of the same procedure, Since Contoura Vision is a new procedure, relatively, there are only a few Lasik centres offering the same procedure. So you need to ensure that the Lasik centre you approached has the license, equipment and expertise to perform. You should be aware of the actual procedure to be performed and its detailed process.

In a Nut-Shell

On an overall, based on the researches and studies, sourced from the patients’ reports, experts express the opinion that the Topography-Guided Lasik procedure stand compatible for majority of the patients and they experience less risk with the effective outcomes of the surgery.

Who is Eligible For Topography-Guided Lasik – Contoura Vision Lasik Surgery?

The patients, who have the problem of nearsighted vision either with astigmatism or without it, can undergo Contoura Lasik surgery. The problem Astigmatism may sound like an eye health problem or eye disease, however is not. It is similar to farsightedness or nearsightedness, as it is a refractive error and additionally certain problems related to the light focussing capability of the eye on the retina. It also indicates deviation of lens or cornea from the natural spherical curvature and over the retina, the light is not focused properly.

When the cornea is irregularly shaped or misshaped, it results in blur or distorted image, to some degree at varied distances. The problem of astigmatism usually is accompanied by eye strain or headaches, especially, after long run visual tasks or reading. Another symptom of astigmatism, which is very common, is squinting and such problems that are troublesome can be treated using Contoura Lasik, effectively.

What the Eye Patient Needs To Do?

  • First, the patient should start with seeking consultation and appointment with the ophthalmologist or eye specialist for detailed consultation and examination.
  • The patterns of astigmatism are quite unique and keep changing from one patient to another patient, considerably.
  • A comprehensive eye inspection is performed by the eye specialist and confirms the patient’s astigmatism, along with the respective unique pattern.
  • The fitness or suitability for Topography-Guided Lasik is assessed by the specialist and then confirmed, after all the pros and cons are discussed in detail.
  • A highly specific and personalized Contoura Lasik is designed and developed very accurately for effective correction of vision.

Topography-Guided Lasik Technology

The newer technology, Topography-Guided Lasik is an effective outcome of successful collaboration in between Alcom Laboratories and Contoura Vision. For vision correctness, the procedure of surgery depends on a the device called WaveLightTopolyzerVario Diagnostic and it is operated with the software called proprietary treatment planning software. The cornea ablation procedure is performed with the help of WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser system or Allegretto Wave Eye-Q Laser system from Alcon Laboratories. The procedure of the topography-guided ablation delivers comparatively better and unsurpassed visual acuity than the standard corneal ablation procedure, according to highly reputed ophthalmologists. The topographer and Wave technology combination ensures that the entire reshaping of cornea and the goal of vision improvement quality can be achieved with better efficiency.

Contoura Lasik Diagnostic Procedure and Surgical Procedure

  • Initially assessment of patient’s eye is performed through extremely detailed images with thorough and comprehensive manner for custom treatment.
  • Detailed and complete unique elevation points of about 22,000 on the cornea will be performed.
  • Then the processing of resultant data is done with the proprietary surgical planning software.
  • Then a custom profile that is highly individualized or personalized is generated for vision optimization.
  • The procedure for topography-enabled surgery is then conducted by the ophthalmologist.
  • The procedure is performed with less flattening of elevation points and less tissue removal, because of the wave technology employed.
  • Equalizing and reshaping of the cornea is performed for improved vision in an accurate manner.

Benefits of Contoura Lasik Eye Surgery

  • The Contoura Lasik eye surgery is highly effective, painless and personalized in improvement of the vision.
  • The actual procedure of the surgery itself is advanced highly, since it makes use of both hardware and software technologies.
  • Then corneal reshaping and tissue removal is performed by the surgeon, with no much effort.
  • The surgery addresses all astigmatism patterns and patient’s cornea’s unique aspects, for reducing the side effects and risks.
  • The surgery procedure is completed in very less time, for about 25 minutes and subtle discernible discomfort or very little pain is experienced by the patient.
  • The surgery, which is customized, can reduce various risks like glare, halos, light, successfully.

Topography-Guided Lasik Treatment – Post Operative Care

Results

  • Dramatic improvements in terms of the visual acuity are noticed and experienced by many patients.
  • Time of recovery varies between patients.
  • Patients, who have the glasses with more prescription, recover from the surgery in more time.
  • Patient can get back to the work, after 24 hours of the surgery, in case there are no side effects.

Side Effects

  • Some mild discomfort, in the first few days after the surgery, for the eyes to heal.
  • There can some minor side effects, like red eyes, watery eyes, for some patients.
  • In case of any persistent, severe or unexpected side effects, the patient has to contact the surgeon immediately, for medication.

On an overall, The Topography-Guided Lasik treatment works for majority of the patients and the outcomes are effective and less risky.