The History Of LASIK Surgery

Many people are unaware that LASIK surgery dates back as early as 1975. The acronym LASIK stands for laser in situ keratomileusis, or the use of a laser under the corneal flap. This procedure was first attempted in 1975 when it was tested for at least ten years prior to being used on humans in Germany. The next landmark towards the progression of LASIK eye surgery occurred in 1989 when Dr. Gholam A. Peyman received a U.S. patent for a surgical procedure that modified the corneal curvature of the eye by surgically cutting a flap in the cornea revealing the corneal bed. The exposed surface was reshaped, shrunk, or corrected and the flap replaced.

Several experimental, yet similar, eye procedures were performed by various doctors on animals and humans. However, the procedure was not FDA approved until 1999. LASIK eye surgery has grown exponentially with locations across the world including the LASIK doctors Houston is home to.

There are varying surgeries that are used to improve or enhance the capabilities of the eyes. Many of the corrective eye surgeries, including LASIK, fall under the category of refractive eye surgery. The basis of the procedure is to use a particular laser to change the shape of the eye to enhance visual acuity.

Research, procedures, and outcomes of LASIK eye surgery are becoming more readily available with each passing day. However, LASIK has easily become the most popular corrective surgery in the realm of refractive eye surgery.

An integral part of early LASIK success is the use of the excimer laser and microkeratome. Both are still used, but the development of the femtosecond laser and wavefront technology have become the ultimate tools for precision LASIK procedures to allow for the greatest corrective eye formula including the creation of a corneal flap. The IntraLase was FDA approved in 2001 for the most accurate creation of a corneal flap. For anyone seeking LASIK doctors Houston patients can be assured that the latest technology will be utilized at Dr. John Goosey’s office.

The basis for the great success of LASIK eye surgery is virtually immediate eye correction with minimal, if any, side effects. The procedure only takes minutes with an equally brief recovery lasting from 24 hours to 5 days in length. Within weeks, patients have reported 20/20 or 20/40 vision following their LASIK procedure.

There have been over 30 million LASIK procedures performed worldwide to this day. There is an overwhelming patient satisfaction rate of at least 95% as indicated in 10 years’ worth of published articles compiled by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Patients are more than pleased to abandon any type of corrective eye-wear permanently that had to be applied on a daily basis.

LASIK is a surgical eye procedure that should be taken seriously. Proper research should be conducted to ensure that an eye surgeon has the proper training and licensing to perform successful procedures. Dr. Goosey is one of the best LASIK doctors Houston offers. As a competent, well trained doctor, he provides a history of success to ease any patient’s concerns regarding corrective eye surgery. Contact our office today to schedule your LASIK consultation.

2017-02-03T12:20:01-06:00October 21st, 2014|Eye News|