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The history of LASIK surgery is fascinating. Althougah any quick online search will attribute its invention to one Dr. Gholam A. Peyman, the truth is that many people were involved in creating the techniques that made the process possible.
Naturally, the first iteration of LASIK has advanced considerably, morphing into the techniques we know today. Now, the success rate is much higher, can be used to correct far more vision anomalies, and is much more affordable.
So, let’s take a deep dive into understanding who invented Lasik surgery, plus a sneak peek into what we can expect in the future. Buckle up, because it’s a captivating read…
The road to LASIK began in 1948. Spanish ophthalmologist, Jose Barraquer, created a new surgical procedure, called keratomileusis. This pioneering treatment gave all the surgeons that came after him the ability to reshape the cornea, giving him the well-deserved title of “The father of modern refractive surgery”.
1960 saw the birth of the laser, the other essential basis of LASIK. This was courtesy of a Jewish-American engineer and physician, Theodore Maiman. It was this invention that provided the technology for Indian-American doctor, Mani Lal Bhaumik, to create the ultra-violet laser. This was in 1973, but it wasn’t until the late 1980s that research began in earnest to probe how the technologies could be used to improve vision.
The man who made the breakthrough was the above-mentioned Dr. Gholam A. Peyman, an Iranian-American surgeon, who patented the procedure in 1989. LASIK stands for “laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis”. The first clinical trials took place in 1991, with FDA approval granted in 1999.
Much research continued, with the technique being honed to the procedure we know today. Advances included increased accuracy and overcoming some of the original shortcomings that meant it was only suitable for certain types of corneal anomalies. One huge step forward was the creation of topography-guided LASIK, which allowed concurrent treatment of myopia and astigmatism. Another form, known as WaveFront technology, also gives ophthalmologists great accuracy and the ability to personalize treatments.
LASIK is still the subject of much research—and the future is exciting. Advances we can expect include:
The ultimate goal, albeit further in the future, will be the creation of eyedrops that can change refractive errors, removing the need for laser surgery entirely.
The timeline of LASIK is incredible. The short procedure that we know today is all down to the brilliant minds of the past. The man who invented LASIK surgery was undoubtedly a master in his field, but this massive leap forward was only possible thanks to the work of those before him. The same can be said of what’s to come. We live, as the saying goes, in exciting times—so watch this space…
Previous LASIK, and other vision correction procedures, can make cataract surgery a little more complex—but completely achievable, nonetheless. The greatest challenge is determining the right prescription for the new intraocular lens (IOL).
This is where premium, advanced IOLs come into play (and the associated laser-assisted cataract procedure). The Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic specializes in just such cases. As an academic-grade facility led by one of the best surgeons in the world – Brent Bellotte MD., we offer cutting-edge technology, such as the latest IOLs that can have prescriptions altered while in situ.
Discover more at https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com/ and call today for a consultation.
