What Is Z-Wave?
Who Would Benefit From Z-Wave?
Why Is Z-Wave Revolutionary?
How Does Z-Wave Work?
Dr. Maller And Z-Wave In The News
People Who Have Benefited From Z-Wave
Orthokeratology Academy of America Dr. Maller Interview

Z-Wave is a contact lens CAD/CAM (computer aided design, computer aided manufacture) system intended to aid Dr. Maller in addressing the vision problems associated with corneal irregularities. Z-Wave is comprised of the following: a corneal topographer, a computer with very sophisticated processing software, an advanced contact lens software design program, a state-of-the-art computer controlled manufacturing lathe, and a very adept contact lens finishing laboratory. This combined with Dr. Maller's experience with traditional rigid contact lens fitting as well as the integration and application of the above mentioned constituents makes this a very powerful system to address very complex problems. Since computers and technology continue to advance very rapidly, Z-Wave is also a work in progress that continues to improve.   Top

Z-Wave is intended to address corneal irregularities. These irregularities can be from a variety of causes. Among the causes leading to these corneal irregularities, are many of the refractive surgery procedures, i.e. RK, LASIK, etc. People who have had a refractive surgery procedure may now be dealing with many different types of visual distortions. The symptoms can be blur, glare, ghosting, multiple images, poor contrast, halos, starbursts, spikes, etc. Another source of these irregularities can be corneal transplants, which will also result in very distorted vision. Trauma or infections can sometimes leave scars in the cornea also causing these irregularities. Certain degenerative conditions such as Keratoconus or Pellucid Marginal Degeneration can cause very poor vision due to the unusual shape that the cornea assumes. All of these types of corneal conditions have traditionally been the most difficult group of conditions to properly restore 'functional normal' vision. Individuals who suffer with any of the aforementioned conditions would find the most benefit in Z-Wave.   Top

For the first time optical correction can be given to these very distorted corneas thus restoring good, clear, functional vision, to the individual. Using this type of tool is a revolutionary approach to manage these very unique problems. Instead of attempting to fit these very irregular corneas into contact lenses of preconceived designs and shapes, Dr. Maller is now instead, starting with your eye, and letting it be the guide to the design and manufacture process. This is the first time in history that this type of technological foundation exists, allowing this type of precision design and manufacture.   Top

The Z-Wave process starts with corneal topography. With topography, a digital "mold" is created of your unique eye. This is not a physical mold but rather a digital representation of your corneal shape summarized into a computer modeling system. With this "mold," Dr. Maller uses the Z-Wave software to design and manufacture the back surface of a contact lens that not only is rotationally asymmetrical, but can in fact follow the exact and unique contour of your cornea. The capability to design and manufacture rotationally asymmetrical lenses is a quantum leap forward for contact lenses. Since your eye was the guide, the resulting one-of-a-kind contact lens will now fit very well and therefore be comfortable, stable and healthy. Through the use of complex calculations, the "proper neutralizing prescription" can then be made onto the front surface of the contact lens thus providing clear vision. This manufactured contact lens is a unique and specific customized product for your eye. Prior to its manufacture, this specific lens has never existed before nor will it ever exist again unless an exact duplicate were required for your eye. This very powerful tool has allowed the restoration of vision on eyes that previously were impossible to address.   Top

Dr. Maller using the Z-Wave system to design custom contact lenses to address very irregular corneas after poor results from refractive surgery was on the television news. You can see the transcript of this news broadcast as well as view the video broadcast right   here.   Top

You can also read about patients that have been helped with this very sophisticated technology. They have told their stories in their own words. Their stories will likely "hit a note" with you and many of the elements of their stories will sound very familiar. Many of these people have been exactly where you are now. It is for this reason that they have taken the time to relay their story. They have done so in the hopes that what they have been through will help give perspective and hope to anyone enduring a similar type of scenario.

Orthokeratology Academy of America Dr. Maller Interview
Recently the president of the Orthokeratology Academy of America (OAA) interviewed Dr. Maller. The topics discussed were focused on the use of Wave technology to design totally customized designed lenses and the applications of these customized designs for Orthokeratology, Keratoconus, and Post-Surgical Complications (poor results after RK, PRK, LASIK, etc.). You can listen to the entire interview here on this podcast. (Click on the links below and then select 'open' to load the file into your media player)
Dr. Maller podcast - OAA Interview, Part 1
Dr. Maller podcast - OAA Interview, Part 2

For Z-Wave related links...

• Scleral Contacts can also be used for irregular corneas.
  
• Hybrid Contacts can also be used for irregular corneas.
  
• Wave Technology.
  
• Z-Wave can be used for Custom Accelerated Orthokeratology.
  
• Z-Wave can be used for Keratoconus.
  
• Z-Wave can be used for Pellucid Marginal Degeneration.
  

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