Lasik Eye Surgery Development Lasik

Lasik Eye Surgery Development

LASIK eye surgery is the surgical use of laser energy to reshape the corneal lens to correct vision problems (Goldstein, 2011). The word is an acronym for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The procedure is the culmination of thousands of years of gradual improvements in the ability of physicians and technicians to restore good vision to those whose eyesight is less than sharp. Prior to its development, the only option for many centuries was to wear cumbersome glasses that magnified images externally before they were projected onto the eyes. In the 20th century, glasses were often replaced by smaller contact lenses that sit on the eyeball, but they could become uncomfortable to wear and required meticulous care to avoid eye infections and other complications of their regular use (Powers, 2011). Early surgical procedures required invasive incisions and provided inconsistent outcomes. Only the relatively recent introduction of laser eye surgery finally allowed a reliable and convenient means of permanently correcting the vision of those without the good fortune of sharp eyesight (Goldstein, 2011).

LASIK Principles

In principle, LASIK involves the removal of a very thin layer of corneal tissue using a microkeratome that moves across the plane of the eye (Goldstein, 2011; Hellemans & Bunch, 2006; Powers, 2011). A flap is temporarily removed and then an excimer laser is used to reshape the dimensions and curvature of the cornea to eliminate the distortion responsible for poor eyesight. The flap is them repositioned and allowed to heal. The result is a cornea whose shape focuses light optimally for vision without the distortion produced by the changes in corneal shape that are responsible for poor vision (Goldstein, 2011; Hellemans & Bunch, 2006; Powers, 2011). The procedure is suitable for most patients whose initial corneal shape is not too extremely distorted, those whose pupils are not excessively large, and those who do not suffer from dry eye syndrome (Goldstein, 2011; Powers, 2011). The illustration below represents the mechanics of the LASIK procedure.

EDUCASE, 2011

Historical Timeline and Overview

Venetians develop a magnifying lens held in a frame as an improvement over prior versions that were laid directly onto reading material. Cumbersome and inconvenient to use.

1000-1700

Various less cumbersome means of supporting lenses on the face relying on ribbons and strings. Still inconvenient to use.

British optician Edward Scarlett invents rigid supports resting on ears to support lenses within enclosed frames.

1780s

Benjamin Franklin invents bifocals.

1850s

American physician J. Ball invents spring-loaded mallet intended to strike the cornea to flatten it to restore optimal refractive shape.

Dangerous and impractical.

Swiss physician A. Eugen Fick invents contact lenses of polished glass fitted directly to eye. Early versions cause significant irritation and are impractical until improved materials are developed in the mid 20th century.

1936

First observation of corneal flattening as a result of traumatic injury by Tsutomu Sato. Conceives of principle of principles of transverse and radial keratotomy but first attempts produce cloudy tissue due to approach from under the cornea.

1948

First attempt at mechanically repairing corneal tissue by surgical removal, reshaping, and replacement of flap by Jose Barraquer.

1960's

Radial Keratotomy developed and introduced by Svyatoslav

Fyodorov. Approaches incisions from outside the eye and solves cloudy tissue development problem encountered by Sato.

1975-79

Development of excimer laser technology.

1983

First surgical application of excimer laser on corneal tissue by Stephen Trokel

1987

First excimer laser surgery on human eye by Theo Seiler

1991

First LASIK procedure by Stephen Brint

1995

Excimer laser for refractive surgery (PRK) approved by U.S. FDA