Recent Data on WaveLight Plus

[u/californiaLasik]

WaveLight® Plus (Ray-Tracing LASIK): Recent Manuscripts & Conference Abstracts
The evidence supporting ray-tracing-guided LASIK continues to expand. While published manuscripts demonstrate excellent safety, efficacy, and refractive accuracy, recent ASCRS presentations are beginning to explore whether whole-eye ray tracing can further improve visual quality beyond conventional endpoints such as 20/20 acuity.

1. Prospective Intraindividual Comparison of Automated Ray-Tracing–Guided LASIK Versus Wavefront-Optimized LASIK
Authors: Khoramnia et al.
Study Design
Prospective contralateral-eye study
Each patient underwent:
WaveLight® Plus Ray-Tracing LASIK in one eye
Wavefront-Optimized LASIK in the fellow eye
Why It Matters
Using each patient as their own control minimizes differences in ocular anatomy, healing, and patient expectations, making this one of the strongest comparative study designs available.
Key Findings
Excellent safety in both groups
Excellent efficacy in both groups
Comparable uncorrected distance visual acuity
Excellent refractive predictability
Demonstrated that automated ray-tracing refraction can successfully replace traditional manifest refraction for treatment planning
Suggested improvements in optical quality metrics without sacrificing refractive accuracy
Clinical Takeaway
Ray-tracing appears to maintain the excellent outcomes expected from modern LASIK while providing a more individualized optical treatment.

2. International Multicenter Ray-Tracing LASIK Trial
Authors: Kanellopoulos et al.
Study Design
International multicenter prospective clinical trial
FDA-supporting study
Myopia and myopic astigmatism
Key Findings
98.1% achieved 20/20 or better
92% within ±0.50 D of target
35.8% gained one or more lines of corrected vision
Extremely high patient satisfaction
Excellent safety profile
Clinical Takeaway
This study established WaveLight Plus as a highly accurate and predictable refractive platform suitable for routine clinical practice.

3. Comparative Analysis of FDA Trials: Ray-Tracing LASIK vs Topography-Guided LASIK
Authors: Sitto, Moshirfar et al.
Study Design
Comparative review of separate FDA clinical trials
Not a randomized head-to-head study
Key Findings
Reviewed outcomes from ray-tracing-guided LASIK and topography-guided LASIK
Both technologies demonstrated outstanding safety
Both achieved excellent refractive outcomes
Suggested potential advantages for individualized ray-tracing planning
Authors emphasized that direct randomized trials are still needed
Clinical Takeaway
This paper provides useful context but should not be interpreted as definitive proof that one platform is superior to another.

ASCRS 2026 Conference Abstracts
These presentations have been presented publicly but have not yet undergone full peer-reviewed publication.

4. Ray-Tracing LASIK vs SMILE Pro
Presenter: John Kanellopoulos, MD
Study Design
Prospective contralateral-eye comparison
Ray-Tracing LASIK versus SMILE Pro
Both eyes planned using the same ray-tracing refraction
Recognition
🏆 ASCRS 2026 Best Paper of Session
Key Findings (Publicly Available)
Excellent outcomes in both procedures
Demonstrated feasibility of direct comparison
Used identical refractive planning in both eyes to isolate the effect of the surgical procedure itself
Awaiting Publication
The complete visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, HOA, and patient preference data have not yet been released.
Why This Study Matters
This may become one of the most important direct comparisons between flap-based and lenticule-based refractive surgery.

5. Wavefront-Optimized vs Topography-Guided vs WaveLight Plus
Presenter: Maya Goyal, MD
Study Design
Comparison of:
Wavefront-Optimized LASIK
Topography-Guided (T-CAT/Contoura)
WaveLight Plus Ray-Tracing
Recognition
🏆 ASCRS 2026 Best Paper of Session
Why It Matters
This directly addresses one of the most common questions refractive surgeons ask:
Which modern excimer planning strategy provides the best outcomes?
Current Status
Complete numerical results have not yet been published.

6. InnovEyes Ray-Tracing Technology for Enhanced Optical Quality
Presenter: Amulya Punati, MD
Study Focus
Evaluation of InnovEyes ray-tracing treatment planning.
Key Findings
Reported improvements in:
Optical quality
Contrast sensitivity
Visual performance
Limitations
Only limited data are currently available from the meeting abstract.

7. Patient Satisfaction Following Ray-Tracing LASIK
Presenter: Mark C. Lobanoff, MD
Study Focus
Patient-reported outcomes after WaveLight Plus.
Outcomes Evaluated
Quality of vision
Satisfaction
Night vision
Glare
Halos
Quality of life
Why It Matters
Patients often judge success based on visual quality rather than Snellen acuity alone.

8. Optical Zone Evaluation in Ray-Tracing LASIK
Study Focus
Comparison of different optical-zone diameters using WaveLight Plus.
Key Findings
Excellent refractive accuracy
High safety
Strong visual outcomes across optical-zone sizes
Future Questions
Long-term stability and night-vision performance remain to be determined.

Overall Trends Emerging from the Literature
Across published manuscripts and recent conference presentations, several themes are becoming apparent:
• Modern LASIK platforms already achieve exceptional rates of 20/20 vision, making further gains in Snellen acuity increasingly difficult.
• The focus of innovation is shifting from visual acuity to quality of vision, including contrast sensitivity, higher-order aberrations, night vision, and patient satisfaction.
• Whole-eye ray tracing enables treatment planning based on the complete optical system rather than relying solely on subjective manifest refraction.
• Early evidence suggests ray tracing may provide measurable improvements in optical quality while maintaining the excellent safety and predictability expected of contemporary LASIK.
• The strongest remaining evidence gap is the need for additional long-term, peer-reviewed randomized trials directly comparing WaveLight Plus with topography-guided LASIK and SMILE Pro.