LASIK Facts

A few decades ago, people with poor eyesight could only dream of having perfect vision. However, the development of modern technology and LASIK surgical treatment has made it all possible. They can literally replace years of wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses in just 5 minutes. Find out how the experts discovered a way to clear things up for everyone.

It Started in 1950

Jose Barraquer, a Colombian-based Spanish ophthalmologist started the conquest towards Lasik surgical treatment in 1950 when he developed the very first microkeratome in his clinic in Bogota, Colombia. The microkeratome was used to cut thin flaps in and reshape the cornea. The process was then known as keratomileusis which “K” stands for in the term “Lasik”. The doctor explained how some parts of the cornea need to remain the same in order to stabilize focus and vision of the eye permanently. Stephan Schaller was Barraquer’s assistant in this endeavor.

Mani Lal Bhaumik and fellow scientists from the Northrup Corporation Research and Technology Center of the University of California in 1968 developed the excimer laser while working on a carbon-dioxide laser.

The excimer laser allows molecules that do not naturally exist during the excitation of argon, krypton and xenon gases to manifest. This became an important part in the evolution of Lasik eye surgery. The formal introduction of the excimer laser was in May 1973 during a Denver Optical Society of America meeting. Dr. Bhaumik patented the great discovery later on.

Svyatoslav Fyodorov from Russia during the 1970s developed the technical and procedural aspects of Lasik technology with the introduction and development of RK or radial keratotomy.A micrometer diamond knife which is not involved in today’s Lasik surgeries was used to make radial corneal cuts. Theo Seiler from Germany in the 1980s introduced and developed PRK or photorefractive keratectomy. During this time, common post-operative complications can result such as infection or dry eyes. These can be corrected easily through medical and laser treatment.

The Move to Modern

Rangaswamy Srinivasan discovered in 1980 that an ultraviolet excimer laser is able to precisely etch tissues in the human body without thermally damaging surrounding areas. The technique was then called Ablative Photodecomposition or APD. This proved to be a big step in letting lasers enter the realm of refractive operations. Dr. Gholam A. Peyman received the first patent for Lasik on June 20, 1989.

The U.S. Patent #4,840,175, “Method for Modifying Corneal Curvature” describes the surgery as the cutting of a flap in the cornea which is then pulled back to expose the corneal be. An excimer laser is used to reshape by ablating the exposed surface then finally replacing the flap. There are variations in methods and customizations as well.

Lucio Buratto from Italy and Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece continued to develop Lasik surgical procedure by merging keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. Precision was increased while complications lessened. The first recorded official Lasik surgery was done in 1998.

At present, Lasik technology is painless, quick and effective and is the most commonly done refractive procedure worldwide. There are slight variations to the approaches, materials and techniques considering the various goals for the eye. Risk factors have also been reduced significantly through eye exams and initial assessments. Overall, it is still the result of theories, developments and designs made more than 50 years ago.