Contoura LASIK. How Does Contoura LASIK Work?

Optimized for patients with irregular corneas

Topography-guided Contoura LASIK is designed to correct the patient’s nearsightedness and astigmatism while helping to preserve or even improve night vision. Contoura is the tradename of Alcon’s topography-guided LASIK solution.

Contoura is not for everyone, as it principally benefits patients with significant irregularities in the shape of their corneas, something that Dr. Hyver can determine at the time of your consultation. For the majority of our patients, Wavefront-Optimized “All Laser” LASIK produces results that are equal to or better than Contoura.

How does Contoura LASIK work?

How does Contoura LASIK work?

The Contoura process starts with a scan of your cornea using our Alcon Vario topographer, which generates a detailed topography map of your eye (similar to that pictured here). Dr. Hyver employs these map coordinates along with your prescription data to formulate your treatment plan.

During your treatment, Dr. Hyver first uses a femtosecond laser to create a corneal flap, which he then lifts, exposing the underlying tissue. He then applies the Alcon EX500 excimer laser, guided by the Vario’s topographic map coordinates, to reshape your cornea in order to correct your nearsightedness and astigmatism while producing a uniform corneal shape.

Note that in the following video, the split frame on the left shows the use of a mechanical microkeratome to create the flap, while the frame on the right shows the femtosecond laser approach that Dr. Hyver employs to create the flap, after which he applies the EX500 laser’s topography-guided treatment:

Designed to preserve or even improve your night vision

Designed to preserve or even improve your night vision

The Contoura LASIK procedure is customized to the unique shape of your cornea. Guided by the Vario’s topographic map of your cornea, the Alcon EX500 laser smooths out significant surface irregularities, producing a uniform corneal shape, which can help improve vision quality, including night vision.

What can I expect during the recovery period?

What can I expect during the recovery period?

During the first four hours after your Contoura LASIK procedure, your vision will be hazy (similar to looking through a film), and you’re likely to experience varying degrees of eye stinging, scratchiness, tearing, and light sensitivity.

One day after surgery, aside from a little dryness, your eyes should feel relatively normal, and your vision should be clear enough (80-90% of normal) to resume most of your regular activities. However, results vary from patient-to-patient, based on the patient’s preoperative prescription and on the type of work she or he performs.

Over the next few weeks, your vision should gradually sharpen to reach its best correction.

How well will I see and what are the risks?

With today’s state-of-the-art laser infrastructure, combined with Dr.Hyver’s experience and deep surgical database, it’s rare that our patients don’t see 20/20 or better. Like any medical procedure, however, Contoura LASIK is not without risks or alternatives. You can learn more about Contoura safety here.

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