Wavelight Plus InnovEyes is typically not recommended for people with thin corneas. Having thin corneas and still undergoing the surgery can pose certain risks during the procedure.
If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, you must know that corneal thickness plays a big role in determining your eligibility for the procedure. Flap-based surgeries like Wavelight Plus InnovEyes may not be suitable for people with thin corneas, as the procedure involves making an incision, a flap, and reshaping the cornea.
In this blog, we are going to discuss why Wavelight Plus InnovEyes may not be suitable for everyone, and what other specs removal options can be explored.
What is Wavelight Plus InnovEyes?
Wavelight Plus InnovEyes is the latest and 1st ever AI+3D ray-tracing LASIK surgery. The technology maps 1 lakh+ data points on each eye to create a 3D model (Digital Eye Twin) and a personalised treatment plan for vision correction. The surgery is completely painless, bladeless, and does not involve injections or stitches.
What’s more, in addition to treating refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism, the technology also corrects higher-order corneal aberrations and irregularities, providing vision quality beyond 6/6.
👉 Also read: World’s Most Advanced LASIK: Wavelight Plus InnovEyes in Chandigarh
Can Wavelight Plus InnovEyes be Performed on Thin Corneas?
Generally, corneal thickness is a major requisite when it comes to LASIK-based vision correction. Your eligibility for Wavelight Plus InnovEyes will be based on your unique visual requirements and a series of pre-LASIK screening tests. If your corneas are thick enough to withstand the flap creation, you may qualify for the procedure. However, if your test results indicate exceptionally thin corneas whose structural integrity wouldn’t allow for flap creation, your surgeon may advise alternative procedures for specs removal.
Alternative Options for Thin Corneas
If you are not eligible for the Wavelight Plus InnovEyes procedure, your surgeon may suggest alternative (flapless) options like SMILE Pro (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), or ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery. These options are known to cause significantly less tissue damage and maintain corneal integrity post-treatment.
👉 Also read: Wavelight Plus InnovEyes vs SMILE: Which Is Better for You?
SMILE Pro
SMILE Pro or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction Pro is an advanced AI+robotic vision correction treatment. The procedure is flapless, bladeless, completely painless, and corrects myopia and astigmatism in just 9 seconds (per eye). The procedure does not involve the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, a small side incision is created to extract a disc-shaped lenticule from the cornea. This causes much less tissue damage and is often recommended for people with thin corneas.
PRK Surgery
PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy is a type of laser eye surgery that corrects myopia and astigmatism without the need for flap creation. The procedure involves removing the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) using a mild alcohol solution. The cornea is safely reshaped using an excimer laser. Once the cornea has been reshaped, a soft bandage contact lens is placed on the eye to facilitate a smooth recovery. The epithelium heals and grows back on its own in a few days.
ICL Surgery
ICL or Implantable Collamer Lens surgery is a common alternative to LASIK for individuals who have high myopia, inadequate corneal thickness, or excessively dry eyes. The procedure involves positioning a lens permanently inside the eye to make sure that light entering the eye focuses on the retina correctly. This surgery facilitates clear vision without the need to reshape the cornea. The lens is biocompatible, so it is accepted by the body fairly easily. Additionally, if the need ever arises, the lens can also be removed.
The above-mentioned surgeries are worthy alternatives in case you are found ineligible for Wavelight Plus InnovEyes or LASIK in general.
Sohana Hospital’s expert team of the best eye doctors in Chandigarh, along with their efficient support staff, advanced diagnostic tools, and state-of-the-art treatment facilities, ensures that you get the best guidance for your unique visual requirements. The institution is the only hospital in the region with a complete refractive suite consisting of Wavelight Plus InnovEyes, SMILE Pro, Contoura Vision, LASIK, PRK, ICL, and RLE – under one roof! You name it, we have it!
Clear vision is just a decision away – get your pre-LASIK tests today!
