Refractive surgeons Dr. Neda Shamie and Dr. Karl Stonecipher share how wavelight plus, the first fully personalized LASIK treatment, enables them to deliver exceptional visual outcomes, feel confident in their ability to meet elevated patient expectations and transform their practices through streamlined workflows and empowered surgical teams.1-5
A Leap Forward in Personalized Precision
In the dynamic landscape of refractive surgery, innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a promise to offer patients tailored solutions that exceed their highest expectations. For Dr. Neda Shamie, cataract, LASIK and corneal surgeon and partner of the Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute in Los Angeles, and Dr. Karl Stonecipher, a cornea and refractive surgery specialist and the Director of Laser Defined Vision in Greensboro, North Carolina, wavelight plus goes beyond laser vision correction; it’s a leap that offers the potential of truly rewarding outcomes for surgeons and patients alike.3
Wavelight plus is Alcon’s fully personalized LASIK system that creates a 3D model of the eye and produces individualized ablation treatments using Sightmap®, ray-tracing technology and more than 100,000 diagnostic data points to go beyond 20/20 vision.2–4,6
“Laser vision correction has advanced from broad beam to wavefront and topography-guided treatments, each step bringing us closer to true personalization,” reflected Dr. Shamie.
With wavelight plus, LASIK surgery enters a new era. By treating the eye as a complete optical system and leveraging state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, surgeons can now create a true 3D model of each patient’s eye to produce a personalized ablation map and implement an optimized treatment approach.
Today's patients are looking for greater visual independence for a vision that enhances their lifestyle, comfort, and confidence. Wavelight plus focuses on what patients’ value most.6-8
“More and more, patients come in asking about 20/16, 20/12, and even beyond. Now I can confidently offer that possibility,” said Dr. Shamie.
Dr. Stonecipher added, “wavelight plus enables outcomes that consistently surpass 20/20 vision—sometimes even reaching 20/10 visual acuity, which supports my patients’ goals to live glasses-free.”5,6,*
An Integrated Platform for Personalized Vision Correction
Wavelight plus is an integrated refractive platform that offers fully personalized vision correction through a convenient single device.2,4 The technology leverages several key innovations that incorporate a patient’s eye shape and visual needs to create a unique 3D model derived from the patient’s individual eye anatomy.2–4
Sightmap® diagnostic technology uses more than 100,000 data points—including ocular wavefront, biometry, and corneal tomography—to compensate for non-symmetric aberrations, biomechanical changes, and corneal healing, while also optimizing laser-efficiency prediction.1–4,9 Ray-tracing technology then combines these measurements and performs iterative calculations to generate a 3D model of the eye and produce a fully optimized ablation profile.2–4
“It’s infused a lot of positive energy into our practice and given us an opportunity to truly differentiate ourselves,” said Dr. Shamie.
Empowering Surgical Teams with Confidence
Dr. Stonecipher describes the transformation as “making a telescope for your own eye.” The Sightmap’s seamless, iterative process allows for highly personalized treatments, and the system’s integration of multiple measurements—corneal surfaces, anterior chamber depth and volume, and biometry—streamlines the team’s workflow.3,4,**
“We started in May and have treated hundreds of patients already. Everyone’s noticing the difference,” he added. “For surgeons, this means greater confidence in delivering exceptional outcomes, consistently.”
In real-world clinical evidence of 200 patients, 100% of myopic eyes treated with wavelight plus achieved 20/20 vision or better at 3 months post-procedure, with 89% of patients reaching 20/16 visual acuity or better at the 3 months mark.6 Notably, in the same real-world data, 94% of eyes treated with wavelight plus had the same or better postoperative CDVA than their preoperative CDVA by 3 months, which further demonstrates the efficacy of this technology.6
Beyond these clinical results, both Dr. Shamie and Dr. Stonecipher emphasize how this integrated technology elevates team morale, and in their experiences, simplifies training. Both Dr. Shamie and Dr. Stonecipher share how their staff members quickly become proficient, and the device’s reliability allows their technicians to take a more active role in the surgical process, supporting overall efficiency and engagement.
“It has improved and increased my confidence in really delivering on the outcomes I want for my patients,” Dr. Shamie affirmed.
Renewing Patients’ Hope for Great Vision
Both surgeons have seen a resurgence of interest in refractive surgery, fueled by patient satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals.
As Dr. Stonecipher observed, “wavelight plus not only differentiates practices in competitive markets but also revives energy and growth in a field that has seen declining volumes.”
Empowering Surgical Teams with Confidence
Dr. Stonecipher describes the transformation as “making a telescope for your own eye.” The Sightmap’s seamless, iterative process allows for highly personalized treatments, and the system’s integration of multiple measurements—corneal surfaces, anterior chamber depth and volume, and biometry—streamlines the team’s workflow.3,4,**
“We started in May and have treated hundreds of patients already. Everyone’s noticing the difference,” he added. “For surgeons, this means greater confidence in delivering exceptional outcomes, consistently.”
In real-world clinical evidence of 200 patients, 100% of myopic eyes treated with wavelight plus achieved 20/20 vision or better at 3 months post-procedure, with 89% of patients reaching 20/16 visual acuity or better at the 3 months mark.6 Notably, in the same real-world data, 94% of eyes treated with wavelight plus had the same or better postoperative CDVA than their preoperative CDVA by 3 months, which further demonstrates the efficacy of this technology.6
Beyond these clinical results, both Dr. Shamie and Dr. Stonecipher emphasize how this integrated technology elevates team morale, and in their experiences, simplifies training. Both Dr. Shamie and Dr. Stonecipher share how their staff members quickly become proficient, and the device’s reliability allows their technicians to take a more active role in the surgical process, supporting overall efficiency and engagement.
“It has improved and increased my confidence in really delivering on the outcomes I want for my patients,” Dr. Shamie affirmed.
Renewing Patients’ Hope for Great Vision
Both surgeons have seen a resurgence of interest in refractive surgery, fueled by patient satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals.
As Dr. Stonecipher observed, “wavelight plus not only differentiates practices in competitive markets but also revives energy and growth in a field that has seen declining volumes.”
The Bottom Line: The wavelight plus Promise
• Delivers next-level personalization with a proprietary ray tracing technology that models each patient’s full optical system, creating a treatment plan for exceptional visual outcomes.1–5- • Integrates comprehensive diagnostic data—including wavefront, tomography, and biometry—into one seamless workflow, helping surgeons streamline planning and enhance confidence.2–4
- • Incorporates the evolution of the wavefront optimized pre-compensation algorithm with compensation for non-symmetric aberrations, biomechanical changes and corneal healing as well enhanced laser efficiency prediction.3,10
FAQs
1. How is wavelight plus different from other LASIK technologies?
In the article, surgeons explain that wavelight plus creates a full 3D model of a patient’s eye using over 100,000 data points. This allows for a more personalized ablation profile compared to traditional wavefront-optimized or topography-guided LASIK, which relies on fewer measurements.
2. What kind of vision results are people getting with wavelight plus?
According to the real-world clinical data referenced, 100% of myopic eyes reached 20/20 or better at 3 months post-procedure, and 89% achieved 20/16 or better.6,* The surgeons in the article report that some of their patients are seeing even sharper vision.
3. Does wavelight plus improve outcomes for surgeons and their teams?
Surgeons describe that the system integrates multiple diagnostics into one workflow, helping teams work more efficiently, support employee training, and feel more confident delivering highly personalized treatments.2–5,^
4. Why are more patients asking about wavelight plus?
The surgeons in the article note that patients increasingly want “better than 20/20” vision. The personalized nature of wavelight plus—and surgeons' confidence in delivering those results—has led to renewed interest in LASIK procedures and more word-of-mouth referrals to their practices.
Refer to the wavelight plus Operator’s Manual for a complete listing of indications, warnings and precautions.
CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The WaveLight® Plus laser systems is a non-contact ophthalmic diagnostic device designed to capture Scheimpflug images of the anterior segment of the eye, which includes the cornea, pupil, anterior chamber, and lens of the eye. Furthermore, it provides the axial dimensions of the eye using the technology of coherence interferometry. It can also measure the optical aberrations of the eye by applying Hartman-Shack wavefront technology
INDICATION:
The WaveLight® Plus laser systems is indicated for screening and diagnosis of adult patients who may undergo a customized photorefractive treatment with the WaveLight® Plus laser systems.
The WaveLight EX500 laser system in conjunction with WaveLight® Plus Sightmap is indicated for use in INNOVEYES Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (“wavelight plus”1 LASIK) treatments:
- for the reduction or elimination of myopia or myopia with astigmatism, in eyes with spherical equivalent (SE) more than -1.00 and up to -9.00 diopters (D), with up to -8.00 D of spherical component (in minus cylinder format) and up to -3.00 D of astigmatic component at the spectacle plane, based on the INNOVEYES Sightmap Measured Refraction
- in patients with magnitude of the spherical equivalent (SE) difference between the Manifest Refraction (MRSE) and the Sightmap measured refraction SE being less than 0.75 D,
- in patients who are 18 years of age or older, and
- for patients with documentation of a stable manifest refraction defined as ≤ 0.5 D preoperative spherical equivalent shift over one year prior to surgery.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
If you have any of the following situations or conditions, it is not recommended to have an examination with the WaveLight® Plus laser systems.
- Patients with open wounds and sores getting in contact with the head rest must not be examined.
There are no other known contraindications to the use of the WaveLight® Plus laser systems when used according to its approved indications.
TARGET PATIENT POPULATION:
The targeted patient population are patients which are selected for ophthalmic diagnosis consistent with the indications for use of the WaveLight® Plus laser systems.
INTENDED USERS:
The WaveLight® Plus laser systems may only be used by specially trained physicians, medical staff and optometrists who are well versed in its diagnostic abilities and possible dangers.
WARNINGS / PRECAUTIONS:
- Contact lens wearers must discontinue wearing hard or gas permeable lenses for at least 3 weeks and soft lenses for at least 1 week prior to examination.
- The examination takes place in a darkened room or with the help of a dark cloth covering the WaveLight® Plus laser systems and the patient’s head.
- The patient must be able to sit in an upright and comfortable position.
- The patient must be able to fixate steadily. Patients should not wear makeup at the day of examination.
- Avoid using eye-drops before examination. It may impact the diagnostic results and should be reported to the surgeon.
- Taking medication with influence on the hormonal balance can affect the consistency of the cornea.
- Results may be influenced by pregnancy and nursing. Hormonal changes can affect the consistency of the cornea.
- This device can cause flammable materials to ignite or explode
- Use of the controls or adjustments or performance procedures other than those specified in the user manual may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
MODE OF ACTION
The mode of action of the WaveLight® Plus laser systems is through the screening and diagnosis of anterior segment of the eye for planning custom refractive surgery treatments with the intent of improving vision.
STORAGE CONDITIONS
Store at -10-55°C (14-131°F).
ATTENTION:
Refer to the Directions for Use labeling for a complete list of warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions.
* In a real-world private practice setting-200 patients (400 eyes). Please refer to relevant product directions for use for complete list of indications, contraindications and warnings.
** Including corneal thickness, anterior, and posterior corneal surface
^ At 3 months after wavelight plus and wavefront-optimized LASIK, MRSE was within ±0.50D in 100% (95%CI: 88.6–100%) and 90.0% (95%CI: 74.4–96.5%) of eyes, and within ±0.25D in 83.3% (95%CI: 66.4–92.7%) and 76.7% (95%CI: 59.1–88.2%) of eyes, respectively (wavelight plus non-inferior for ±0.50D, p=0.125; non-superior for ±0.25D, p=0.313).
References:
1. Schumacher S, Seiler T, Cummings A, Maus M & Mrochen M. Optical ray tracing-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopic astigmatism. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38:28-34.
2. Mrochen M, Bueler M, Donitzky C, Seiler T. Optical ray tracing for the calculation of optimized corneal ablation profiles in refractive treatment planning. J Refract Surg. 2008;24:S446-S451.
3. Kanellopoulos AJ, Maus M, Bala C, et al. International Multicenter, Myopic and Myopic Astigmatism Femto LASIK, Customized by Automated Ray-Tracing Ablation Profile Calculation: A Post market Study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2024;18:525-536.
4. InnovEyes Sightmap Diagnostic Device User Manual 1089. [REF-03359].
5. Khoramnia R, Naujokaitis T, Blöck L, et al. Prospective intraindividual comparison of automated customized ray-tracing-guided vs. wavefront-optimized laser in situ keratomileusis. Ophthalmology. Published online June 5, 2025.
6. He G, Bala C. Ray-tracing-guided myopic LASIK: real-world clinical outcomes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023;49(11):1140-1146.
7. Alcon data on file, 2025. REF-27656.
8. Alcon data on file, 2021. REF-25401.
9. Penna RR, de Sanctis U, Catalano M, Brusasco L, Grignolo FM. Placido disk-based topography versus high-resolution rotating Scheimpflug camera for corneal power measurements in keratoconic and post-LASIK eyes: reliability and agreement. Int J Ophthalmol. 2017 Mar 18;10(3):453-460. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2017.03.20.
10. Bueler M, Mrochen M., inventors. “Computer program for ophthalmological surgery”. U.S. patent No. US2008/0033408A1.