WaveLight PlusPersonalised precision
Next-generation laser vision correction. Before surgery, the system builds a virtual 3D model of your own eye and calculates an individual laser profile — with no standard, one-size-fits-all correction tables.
- myopia
- astigmatism
- higher-order aberrations
The final correction method is chosen by your doctor after a full diagnostic exam.
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about the method
Surgery calculated for one eye — yours
Every eye has its own corneal shape and thickness, anterior chamber depth, lens position and length. WaveLight Plus takes all of these parameters into account together.
Standard correction
The laser profile is based on your refraction and the shape of the front surface of the cornea, using a fixed matrix of adjustments.
WaveLight Plus
The laser profile is based on a 3D model of the eye’s entire optical system and refined for every single laser pulse.
The method is built around the InnovEyes Sightmap diagnostic device. In a single examination it measures the eye’s wavefront, corneal tomography and biometry. From this data, optical ray tracing creates a virtual model of the eye: the software “passes” light through it and sees exactly where the image is not focused precisely.
The system then calculates an individual ablation profile — how, and how much, corneal tissue the laser needs to reshape so that light rays focus on the retina. A new pre-compensation algorithm models the effectiveness of each pulse depending on its position on the cornea and takes into account how the epithelium heals after surgery.
The finished plan is sent to the WaveLight EX500 excimer laser, which performs the correction. For the surgeon, this means a treatment plan in just a few clicks, with no manual data entry or extra calculations; for the patient, it means less room for error.
how it works
Three steps to personalised precision
We measure
One device — many measurements. Sightmap collects data on the eye’s entire optical system:
- the eye’s wavefront
- corneal tomography
- biometry
We personalise
Ray tracing creates a 3D model of the eye. The software adapts it to the required refractive correction and iteratively optimises the future shape of the cornea. The result is a unique ablation profile.
We perform
The individual profile is sent to the EX500 excimer laser. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic eye drops, and the treatment plan is calculated specifically for your eye.
3D model of the eye
What ray tracing takes into account
Tap a point or an item in the list to see which part of the eye the system measures.
comparison
How much the laser knows about your eye
Before correction, the device measures your eye. The more parameters it takes into account, the more precisely the laser will reshape the cornea specifically for you.
eye parameters taken into account
all parameters — a 3D model of your eye
- Glasses prescription and corneal curvatureWhat is measured when choosing glasses. The basis of any correction.Conventional correction✓alwaysWaveLight Plus✓yes
- WavefrontHow light passes through the whole eye — the tiny distortions that cause halos at night.Conventional correction~only some methodsWaveLight Plus✓yes
- Front surface of the corneaThe contour of the very surface whose shape the laser changes.Conventional correction~only some methodsWaveLight Plus✓yes
- Corneal thicknessHow much tissue can be safely reshaped.Conventional correction~only some methodsWaveLight Plus✓yes
- Back surface of the corneaThe inner side of the cornea — it refracts light too.Conventional correction✕noWaveLight Plus✓yes
- Lens positionWhere the eye’s natural lens sits and how deep.Conventional correction✕noWaveLight Plus✓yes
- Eye lengthThis determines exactly where the image needs to come into focus.Conventional correction✕noWaveLight Plus✓yes
WaveLight Plus or SMILE
Why WaveLight Plus is a step forward from SMILE
SMILE corrects vision using a standard profile: sphere and cylinder only. WaveLight Plus first studies the entire optics of your eye and then calculates a correction that doesn’t exist in any table.
Personalisation
SMILEThe same calculation principle for everyone: only the glasses prescription is taken into account.
WaveLight PlusThe profile is based on a 3D model of your own eye: cornea, lens, eye length and wavefront.
Night vision quality
SMILEDoes not correct higher-order aberrations. Halos and glare from headlights may remain.
WaveLight PlusCorrects higher-order aberrations, so vision is sharper at dusk and behind the wheel.
Centration accuracy
SMILEThe surgeon centres the treatment manually; there is no active eye tracking.
WaveLight PlusThe laser tracks eye movements in real time and accounts for eye rotation, so every pulse lands exactly where it was calculated to.
Recovery
SMILEVisual acuity may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to build up.
WaveLight PlusMost patients see clearly the very next day after surgery.
Result
SMILEThe goal is vision “as good as with glasses”.
WaveLight Plus98.1% of eyes see 1.0 or better, and many people end up with sharper vision than they had with glasses*.
This comparison is a general overview. Your doctor will determine which method is right for you after a diagnostic exam.
results
What the studies showed
How to read visual acuity
doctors and equipment
Certified doctors and genuine Alcon equipment
The precision of WaveLight Plus depends on two things: the surgeon’s experience and properly maintained equipment. We have taken care of both.
Our doctors are trained and certified
The surgeons who perform WaveLight Plus correction have been trained by clinical specialists from Alcon — the manufacturer of the technology — and have received specialist certificates to work with this equipment.
our doctorsGenuine Alcon equipment
The InnovEyes Sightmap diagnostic station and the WaveLight EX500 excimer laser are genuine equipment supplied by the manufacturer. They are serviced by certified Alcon engineers, so the laser works with the precision the manufacturer designed it for.
who it’s for
Who your doctor may recommend WaveLight Plus for
The method may be right for you if
- you are short-sighted (myopia), including with astigmatism
- in addition to your main refractive error, you have higher-order aberrations, such as halos or “blurring” at night
- you want the most personalised plan possible and a highly predictable result
- the quality of your vision at dusk and behind the wheel matters to you
The decision is made after a diagnostic exam
- the doctor assesses the thickness and shape of your cornea, the condition of your eyes and your general health
- the contraindications are the same as for other laser vision correction methods: a thin cornea, inflammation, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and certain systemic diseases
- if WaveLight Plus is not right for you, the doctor will suggest a different method
our methods
Compare with other methods
All laser vision correction methods, prices and answers to general questions are collected on the “Laser vision correction” page.
questions
Frequently asked questions about WaveLight Plus
How is WaveLight Plus different from conventional laser vision correction?
Conventional profiles are calculated from your refraction and the shape of the front surface of the cornea, using a fixed matrix of adjustments. WaveLight Plus builds a 3D model of the entire eye (both sides of the cornea, the lens, eye length and wavefront) and calculates the laser profile specifically for that model.
Is the procedure painful?
No. The correction is carried out under local anaesthetic eye drops, just like other laser vision correction methods. Patients usually feel only light pressure.
What will my vision be like after surgery?
In a post-approval study, at 3 months 98.1% of eyes had 20/20 (1.0) vision or better, and 82.5% had 20/16 (1.25) or better (n=212 eyes). Your doctor will give you a personal prognosis after a diagnostic exam.
Is the method suitable for astigmatism?
The method was developed to correct short-sightedness, including with astigmatism. Whether it can be performed is determined after a full examination.
How much does WaveLight Plus correction cost?
The cost depends on your clinical indications and the complexity of your case. See current prices on the “Prices” page or ask during your consultation.
How should I prepare?
Start with a pre-operative examination. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will tell you how many days before the diagnostic exam you need to stop wearing them so that your cornea returns to its natural shape.
Find out whether WaveLight Plus is right for you
Book a diagnostic exam: the doctor will examine your eyes, explain the results and recommend a correction method.