History of LASIK Eye Surgery

Millions of people schedule appointments for Lasik eye surgery annually. It appears to be the most logical way of reducing the need for glasses or contacts. It allows a person to have adjustments made to their eyes in order to improve their eyesight. This procedure has been refined over the years from some very simple procedures to what is now a state of the art option.

Eye surgery has certainly come a long way since the early procedures in Japan in the early 1930’s. However, this type of cornea incision wasn’t getting the best results. Many of the patients had long term effects that were negative. Some also developed serious eye infections. Yet researchers were sure they were onto something.

In the late 1950’s the concept of changing the shape of the cornea was introduced. This was a very effective way of improving the eyesight for a person. Still, the procedure was far from what we know as Lasik today. The results were still low and the recovery period was quite long.

It was in the early 1970’s when a Russian scientist introduced the concept of keratomy. By 1978 scientists all over the world including the United States were interested in learning more about it. The first PKR lasers were introduced in the early 1980’s. A great deal of time and money was dedicated to further research and the results paid off.

By 1987 the use of a laser for eye surgery in full swing. This idea took some time for experts and for consumers to accept though. It seemed almost too easy and so it wasn’t widely viewed as something that could provide great results. Yet that is exactly what happened. Fast forward to 2000 and more than one million people were getting eye surgery with a laser annually in the United States alone.

The term Lasik is short for Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis. This process was introduced in the United States in 1991. It allows the doctors to get more accurate results in their efforts. As a result of this, patients continue to have better vision than ever before. They also find that the process is quick, easy, and not very uncomfortable at all.

Since there is only a small incision by the cornea, the eyes are able to heal up very quickly. This means people can get back to their lives faster than ever after having Lasik eye surgery done. This is one of the reasons why it is so well received not only in the United States but all around the world.

The fact that a person can now get the Lasik eye surgery done in an hour or less is amazing. Understanding the early foundation of the concepts though, one quickly realizes that this wasn’t something that developed overnight. There was plenty of trial and error along the way to get us where we are today.

The many advances in technology also deserve credit for where Lasik eye surgery is today. Without the tools to correctly identify a person’s vision, the computer images, and of course the laser to complete the procedure accurately we wouldn’t be seeing the amazing results with Lasik that we have today.

You can be sure this is one are that will continue to advance as time goes by as well. Don’t think for a moment that were Lasik eye surgery is right now is where it will be five or ten years from now. Developing better procedures will only ensure that more people are able to benefit from having excellent vision whether they were born with it or not.