About
WAVE Contact Lens System is a premium, topography-based custom contact lens design platform built for eye care professionals who specialize in fitting Scleral, Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), and Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contact lenses. Since 1999, WAVE has provided clinicians with an advanced CAD/CAM software environment to empirically design fully customized rigid lenses tailored to each patient's unique corneal shape. The platform imports corneal topography or tomography data directly from compatible diagnostic devices—including Medmont Topographers, OCULUS Pentacam, OCULUS Keratograph, Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler, and Topcon MYAH—eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors. Practitioners enter the patient's subjective refraction or over-refraction, then leverage WAVE's powerful design tools to create one-of-a-kind lens geometries. Completed designs are submitted to the manufacturing lab with a single click. WAVE supports a broad lens portfolio: Scleral lenses for irregular corneas, Orthokeratology lenses for myopia management, Corneal GP lenses, and Multifocal FreeForm designs. The system includes a certification program, coaching sessions, clinical support resources, case reports, webinars, and an active community of certified 'WAVE Designers.' It is suited for independent optometry practices, specialty contact lens clinics, and larger ophthalmology groups looking to elevate their custom lens practice with data-driven, patient-specific designs.
Key Features
- Topography-Driven Lens Design: Imports corneal topography and tomography maps directly from compatible diagnostic devices to empirically design lenses matched to each patient's unique corneal shape.
- Multi-Lens Portfolio Support: Supports design of Scleral, Orthokeratology, Corneal GP, and Multifocal FreeForm contact lenses from a single unified platform.
- One-Click Lab Ordering: Sends finalized custom lens designs directly to the manufacturing lab for production with a single click, reducing friction in the order workflow.
- Broad Device Compatibility: Integrates with leading topography and tomography devices including OCULUS Pentacam, Medmont, Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler, and Topcon MYAH.
- Certification & Clinical Support: Offers a structured certification program, coaching sessions, case reports, webinars, and an active network of WAVE-certified clinicians for ongoing education.
Use Cases
- An optometrist fitting a patient with keratoconus uses WAVE to import Pentacam topography data and design a custom Scleral lens that vaults the irregular cornea for comfortable, clear vision.
- A myopia management clinic uses WAVE to design Orthokeratology lenses for pediatric patients, slowing axial elongation with precisely shaped overnight wear lenses based on each child's corneal map.
- A specialty contact lens practice streamlines its RGP fitting workflow by integrating WAVE with their Medmont topographer, reducing trial lens iterations and improving first-fit success rates.
- An ophthalmology group uses WAVE's FreeForm Multifocal design capabilities to offer presbyopic patients customized rigid lenses that address both distance and near vision needs.
- A new eye care practitioner enrolls in the WAVE certification program to build expertise in specialty lens fitting, using the platform's clinical resources and coaching to grow a custom lens revenue stream.
Pros
- Patient-Specific Precision: Every lens is individually designed from actual corneal data, resulting in superior comfort and vision outcomes compared to off-the-shelf alternatives.
- Streamlined Workflow: The three-step import-refraction-design process and direct lab submission significantly reduce chair time and administrative overhead.
- Extensive Device Ecosystem: Wide compatibility with major topography and tomography platforms means most practices can integrate WAVE without purchasing new diagnostic hardware.
- Strong Educational Resources: Certification programs, webinars, and clinical case libraries help practitioners quickly develop proficiency and grow their specialty lens practice.
Cons
- Requires Compatible Hardware: A supported corneal topographer or tomographer is mandatory to use the platform, representing an additional capital investment for some practices.
- Steep Learning Curve: The full range of customization options and CAD/CAM features requires certification training before clinicians can design lenses with confidence.
- Niche Professional Audience: The platform is exclusively designed for eye care professionals specializing in rigid contact lenses, limiting its applicability outside that specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of contact lenses can be designed with WAVE?
WAVE supports the design of Scleral contact lenses, Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, Corneal GP (rigid gas permeable) lenses, and Multifocal FreeForm lenses.
Which diagnostic devices are compatible with WAVE?
WAVE integrates with Medmont Topographers, OCULUS Pentacam, OCULUS Keratograph, Eaglet Eye Surface Profiler, and Topcon MYAH, among others.
Does a practitioner need certification to use WAVE?
Yes, WAVE offers a certification program including online demos, account setup, and coaching sessions to ensure eye care professionals can design lenses proficiently and safely.
How does the lens ordering process work?
After importing topography data and entering the patient's refraction, the practitioner designs the custom lens in the software and submits it directly to the manufacturing lab with one click.
How long has WAVE been available?
WAVE has been providing topography-based contact lens designs since 1999, with the company (Wave LLC) operating continuously and offering software updates and support since that time.
