From 3D corneal mapping of each eye, AI helps doctors design surgical procedures that overcomes limitations of conventional vision correction.
“Many patients achieve 10/10 vision after surgery but still experience discomfort because current procedures only correct low-order aberrations, not high-order ones,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Anh, senior lecturer at Hanoi Medical University, during the launch of Saigon Eye Hospital’s EYESignature personalized vision correction technology on April 12.
Dr. Anh explained that optical aberrations are abnormalities that prevent clear vision. People with refractive errors (myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia) – low-order aberrations – can easily be diagnosed and corrected with glasses or standard surgery. Meanwhile, high-order aberrations like spherical aberration and coma, impair night vision and visual quality, requiring advanced equipment for detection and treatment.
The new technology measures optical parameters of the entire eye to create personalized 3D corneal maps. AI software analyzes this data to identify all optical aberrations (high- and low-order), and develops optimized treatment plans for customized correction.
Dr. Truong Cong Minh, Specialist Level II and Director of Saigon Eye Hospital 2, noted that each person’s corneal structure is as unique as a fingerprint, with individual surface irregularities and curvatures. This “tailor-made” approach not only restores vision but significantly improves visual quality, delivering sharper images and reducing nighttime glare while driving.
Visual acuity typically stabilizes within 24 hours post-surgery compared to days with conventional methods, with laser time averaging just 1.3 seconds per diopter. The technology suits patients with myopia up to -12D, astigmatism up to 6D, or hyperopia up to +6D. It’s particularly recommended for those with large pupils, complex high-order aberrations, or irregular corneal surfaces.
AI “tailor-makes” myopia surgery for patients
Dr. Truong Cong Minh, Specialist Level II, performing a surgery. Photo: Provided by the hospital
Hai Yen, 24, among the first treated with this technology, resumed work the next day without taking leave. Freed from glasses after 10 years facing many inconveniences, especially when playing sports, she noted: “After the surgery, which lasted only a few seconds, I went home and slept. When I opened my eyes, I saw things more clearly than with glasses.”