Fascinating History Of Laser Eye Surgery

Eye surgery procedures, in varying forms, have become popular in recent years. However, did you know the history of laser eye surgery dates back to over 100 years. How can this be you're probably saying. Isn't it a relatively new procedure born out of modern technology? well, yes and no.

Since the basic principles of keratotomy were described by a Dutch Ophthalmologist in the late 1800's, the history of laser eye surgery has undergone a lot of trial and error and it's only been in the last couple of decades that it has become a relatively sage eye procedure.

Radial keratotomy was put in practice by Dr. Fyodorov in Russia in 1970s, to treat a case of eye trauma. He used this technique to treat a boy who suffered from corneal lacerations after breaking his glasses. After treatment, the patient's vision was better than before injury. This success determined Fyodorov to make some research on past efforts in this field. His findings caught the attention of American ophthalmologists in 1978.

Dr. Leo Bores was the one to bring the technology to the United States after visiting Dr. Fyodorov in Russia. Since then, over 2 million people received radial keratotomy only in the United States.

The discovery of certain limitations of radial keratotomy determined doctors to research alternative forms of eye surgery.

Introduction Of The Excimer Laser

The use of the Excimer laser was another important step in the history of laser eye surgery. Dr. Srinivasin was the first to discover its potential in interacting with biological tissue while working in the IBM research labs. Dr. Steven Trokel was the one to use it for the first time in reshaping corneal tissue. This laser device emits a cold beam that when interacting with corneal tissue, destroys carbon-carbon bonds between molecules, causing tissue ablation.

The excimer laser has been used in refractive surgery worldwide since 1987 and proved a high level of effectiveness and safety. Millions of patients suffering from various eye conditions have undergone this procedure.

Introduction Of Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

Photorefractive keratectomy was also an important progress in the history of laser eye surgery. The first PRK surgery was held in 1988 in Germany. Millions of surgeries have been performed since then all over the world.

The Wonders Of Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

LASIK is a more recent discovery in the history of laser eye surgery. The surgeon uses a blade to cut a flap of the cornea and then a laser to remove tissue underneath the flap. Compared to PRK, this procedure allows the cornea to remain mostly intact. Therefore, the patients who have LASIK feel more comfortable and recover better and faster after surgery.

Surgeons have been performing LASIK for about 15 years now. The first surgery was performed in United States trials in 1991. However, the main components of this procedure have a much longer history. Ophthalmologists have been using different methods to reshape the cornea for over 50 years, creating protective layers for over 40 years and using an excimer laser since late '80s.

In 1996, the FDA approved the laser treatment for myopia up to -6.00 diopters and in 1997; this procedure was approved for treating astigmatism up to -4.00 diopters.

The history of laser eye surgery has certainly been fast forwarded in recent years with rapid advancements in the use of technology. Who would of thought that any kind of surgery could be performed without a blade 50 years ago. Not only has surgical procedures become simpler but patient recovery time has been shortened dramatically. So what's in store over the next 50 years for laser eye surgery. The mind "boggles."