The History of LASIK & How it Developed
LASIK is one of the safest elective medical procedures available, and it’s been performed on over 40 million people worldwide. There are different types of LASIK procedures, but what they have in common is they use a laser to reshape the eye’s cornea to correct refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurry vision at all distances).
LASIK has gained immense popularity in the last few decades, and many people have turned to it to achieve freedom from glasses and contacts. But you may be surprised to know that the technology behind LASIK has a long history. Below, we take a look at how the technique behind vision correction procedures like LASIK developed.
LASIK has gained immense popularity in the last few decades, and many people have turned to it to achieve freedom from glasses and contacts.
The History of LASIK Eye Surgery
The history of LASIK is nearly a hundred years old, and many people have contributed to the development of the technology. In the early 1950s, Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer developed a way to cut a flap in the cornea to change its shape. Barraquer’s research is widely considered to be the foundation of modern LASIK techniques.
In 1980s, researchers at the IBM Research laboratory in New York discovered how to use an excimer laser to shape human tissue without causing damage. This development was then combined with Barraquer’s refractive correction method to make the visual results more precise.
By 1988, the first laser refractive surgery was performed on a 62-year-old woman in the United States. The FDA went on to approve photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedures in 1995, and LASIK eye surgery in 1999. PRK and LASIK were also approved in Canada in the early ‘90s.
Vision Correction Technology at LASIK MD
Even though laser vision correction has been popular for decades, new advancements in the technology are constantly being made. At LASIK MD, we pride ourselves in using the latest technology available to offer our patients the best visual results possible, and we perform a variety of vision correction procedures.
In addition to Standard LASIK, we offer Custom Wavefront LASIK, which uses topography-guided technology to better customize the procedure to the patient’s visual needs. Custom LASIK removes 20-30% less corneal tissue, offering more accuracy. It’s especially beneficial for patients with thinner-than-average corneas, larger pupils, or higher prescriptions.
We also perform All-Laser LASIK, which uses a laser to create the corneal flap instead of a microkeratome. This can be combined with either Standard or Custom LASIK.
When you come in for a free consultation, our eye care specialists will perform a series of diagnostic tests to confirm your candidacy and to recommend the best procedure to suit your visual needs. We’ll explain in detail how LASIK works and the differences in technology.
When you come in for a free consultation, our eye care specialists will perform a series of diagnostic tests to confirm your candidacy and to recommend the best procedure to suit your visual needs.
We’ve transformed the lives of millions of people through clear vision, and now it can be your turn. Book your free, no-obligation consultation today to see if you’re a candidate and to learn more about LASIK.