Table of Contents
- Understanding Contoura Vision: The Revolutionary Approach
- Custom Eyes: Tailored Vision Correction at a New Level
- Corneal Topography vs. Wavefront Mapping: What Makes Each Unique?
- How Personalization Enhances Outcomes
- What to Expect: Comprehensive Preparation Guide
- Who Can Benefit the Most
- Risks & Limitations of Contoura Vision & Custom Eyes
- Looking Ahead: Future Innovations
- Conclusion
- FAQs
The world of laser vision correction is more advanced than ever, offering custom-tailored solutions for practically every vision problem. But for patients who want the very best clarity and visual comfort, whether for night driving, reading, or screen work, advanced techniques like Contoura Vision and Custom Eyes LASIK have raised the bar for what’s possible.
This blog breaks down how each technique works, highlights key clinical differences between Contoura vs custom LASIK, and gives you the knowledge you need to make the best decision about the most accurate LASIK for the correction of refractive error.
Understanding Contoura Vision: The Revolutionary Approach
Contoura Vision is a topography-guided LASIK technology based on the Alcon WaveLight platform. Unlike traditional LASIK, which relies heavily on your glasses prescription, Contoura Vision scans 22,000+ points across your corneal surface using corneal topography. This detailed “mapping” guides the laser to correct not just your main prescription (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) but also extremely fine surface irregularities, called higher-order aberrations (HOAs).
Clinical facts:
- Uses 22,000+ corneal points for mapping
- Customizes treatment zone to track the exact topography of your eye
- Corrects both standard refractive errors and subtle surface defects
- Especially useful for patients with irregular corneas, previous surgical scarring, or “problem” vision after standard LASIK
Benefits for patients:
- Greater chance of seeing 20/20 or better (sometimes sharper than glasses)
- Improved low-light/ night vision, less glare, and starburst
- More natural vision with better color and contrast sensitivity
Custom Eyes: Tailored Vision Correction at a New Level
Custom Eyes, sometimes called “wavefront-guided” LASIK, takes a different approach. Instead of mapping just the corneal surface, it measures how light travels through your entire eye, using aberrometry. This generates a 3D optical “fingerprint” which the laser uses to correct for almost any kind of visual distortion, including higher-order aberrations inside the eye.
Clinical facts:
- Uses advanced aberrometry and wavefront analysis
- Performed on the world’s fastest laser, Schwind Amaris 1050RS
- Surgery time takes only 10 seconds*
- Custom plan reduces internal errors, not just surface shape
- Ideal for treating “HOAs” and vision that varies in different lighting conditions
Benefits of Patients:
- Best-in-class for reducing halos, ghosting, and night driving disturbances
- Tailors the correction for your visual pathway, not just refractive error
- Offers excellent visual quality for people with large pupils or subtle visual complaints
Corneal Topography vs. Wavefront Mapping: What Makes Each Unique?
| Method | Contoura Vision (Topography-Guided) | Custom Eyes (Wavefront-Guided) |
| Corneal mapping | 22,000+ corneal surface points | 1,00,000+ corneal surface points |
| Best for | Patients with irregular corneas, scarring, failed previous LASIK | High-order aberrations, “internal” errors |
| Corrects | Surface irregularity, refractive error, some HOAs | Refractive error, all HOAs (surface & internal) |
| Equipment | Alcon WaveLight Topolyzer, EX500 laser | Schwind Amaris 1050RS |
| Ideal outcome | Sharper day/night vision, high comfort | Reduced night glare/halos, ultra-fine vision |
| Activity Restriction | Minimal | Minimal |
| Recovery Time | 2–5 days | 1-3 days |
| Cost | 90,000 for both eyes | 1,30,000 for both eyes |
Contoura Vision is often preferred for people with a bumpy or irregular cornea, while Custom Eyes can benefit those with annoying light scatter or poor vision in low light, even if their cornea looks normal.
How Personalization Enhances Outcomes?
Both technologies outpace conventional LASIK because they’re individualized:
- Contoura Vision can smooth out “anterior” surface problems, even those caused by injuries or prior surgeries.
- Custom Eyes LASIK makes corrections deeper in the optical system, sometimes helping where glasses and previous surgeries have failed.
- Either method can be paired with a full diagnostic workup: dry eye testing, corneal thickness scans, and retina checks for optimal safety and results.
Their approach stands in sharp contrast to LASIK, where two patients with the same prescription might get the same treatment even if their eyes were very different.
Clinical Advantages Over Conventional LASIK or SMILE
Contoura Vision
- Better for those with irregular corneas or previous post-LASIK visual side effects
- Higher percentage of “super vision” (better than 6/6)
- Superior for correcting decentered ablations or corneal scars
Custom Eyes
- Reduces higher-order aberrations
- Top choice for those with significant night vision complaints or halos
- Great for people whose vision is good in daylight but suffers at night
What to Expect: Comprehensive Preparation Guide
Consultation
- Comprehensive eye mapping: 3D corneal topo (Contoura), wavefront aberrometry (Custom Eyes), dry eye, and other safety checks
- Medical history and expectations discussion
- Careful exclusion of those with corneal thinning, unstable prescriptions, or severe dry eye
Surgery Day
- Numbing drops (no needles), comfortable surgery chair
- Eye tracking and laser guidance for sub-millimeter precision
- Total procedure time for both eyes: usually 20–30 minutes
- Quick rest in the hospital and a first postoperative exam
H3: After Surgery
- Expect mild scratchiness and blur on the first day
- Return to most daily tasks in 2–5 days
- Vision sharpens quickly, with most reaching target vision in under a week
Who Can Benefit the Most?
- People with a history of failed LASIK or irregular results
- Those with mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism
- Individuals with keratoconus (if stabilized/crosslinked) or mild corneal scars
- High visual demands: pilots, drivers, sports players, professionals relying on night or computer vision
- Those sensitive to glare, halos, and night driving
What Survey Shows:
- Over 95% patient satisfaction in both procedures
- 98% achieve daytime 6/6 or better
- Less than 2% need a repeat procedure within the first 2 years
- More than 80% notice improved night vision and fewer visual disturbances
- Many resume driving and work in 3–4 days
Risks & Limitations of Contoura Vision & Custom Eyes
All surgical procedures involve certain risks, and understanding them will help you understand the LASIK comparison for precision.
Contoura Vision
- Not for those with unstable corneas, severe dry eye, or major eye disease
- Very small risk of persistent glare, under/overcorrection, or need for refinement
Custom Eyes
- Requires a full wavefront scan (not possible if severe scars block measurement)
- May cost more and require sophisticated equipment
- Not a replacement for those with severe corneal irregularity
- Dryness, glare, and enhancement rates similar to Contoura
Looking Ahead: Future Innovations
Both Contoura Vision and Custom Eyes are at the forefront of vision care. But as laser platforms become smarter and mapping gets even more detailed, the future includes:
- Wider eligibility, even for some previously “untreatable” corneas
- Integration with artificial intelligence for real-time adaptability
- Enhanced night vision correction for complex visual environments
Conclusion
For patients who want the sharpest, most comfortable vision, the choice between Contoura Vision and Custom Eyes LASIK comes down to unique eye anatomy and personal priorities. With precise mapping, proven safety, and glowing patient outcomes, both raise the standard of vision correction to a truly life-changing level. To find out which is the most accurate LASIK for your needs, schedule a detailed evaluation with your eye care specialist, and take a giant leap forward in seeing life’s details with clarity and confidence.
FAQs
1. Is Contoura Vision more precise than wavefront-guided LASIK?
Contoura Vision is often considered more precise for addressing corneal irregularities, while wavefront-guided LASIK excels in correcting higher-order aberrations.
2. Which gives better night vision – Contoura or Custom Eyes?
For night vision, Custom Eyes surgery is generally preferred due to its ability to reduce glare and halos.
3. Can I choose between the two, or is it doctor-recommended?
The choice between the two should be guided by a thorough evaluation by your ophthalmologist.
4. What is the cost difference between Contoura and Custom Eyes?
The cost difference between Contoura and Custom Eyes can vary, with both generally being more expensive than traditional LASIK.
5. Which LASIK type is best for corneal irregularities?
Custom Eyes LASIK surgery is particularly effective for corneal irregularities.
6. Is Contoura Vision available in India?
Yes, it is available at Planet LASIK Centre For Sight in India.
7. Do both techniques use lasers from the same platform?
Both techniques use the same type of laser but different platforms, depending on the equipment available at the clinic. The pre-operative diagnostic machines also vary.
8. How long is the recovery time for each type?
Recovery times are similar, typically ranging from a few days to a week.
9. Can Contoura be done after a failed LASIK?
Contoura can be an option after a failed LASIK, but this should be determined by a specialist.
10. Are there combined options using both technologies?
In some cases, combining both technologies may offer the best outcomes.