History of LASIK

Denver, Colorado and Indianapolis, Indiana

Although there were attempts to flatten the cornea back in the 1800s, the methods were crude and it wasn't until the 1940s that an eye surgeon in Colombia, Dr. Jose Barraquer, began experimenting with creating flaps in the corneal surface.

During the 1950s and 1960s, refractive surgeries became more common although they were not as accurately done as current procedures.

In the 1970s, Radial Keratotomy (RK) was invented in the USSR, and then came to the U.S. in 1978, where it became popular through the 1980s. A precisely calibrated diamond micrometer was used to make radial incisions to flatten the cornea. Although safe long-term, RK is still rather unpredictable for stable visual results.

In 1988, Dr. Luis Ruiz, a former student of Dr. Jose Barraquer in Colombia, created a new technique called Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK) where a small corneal flap was folded back and a surgical instrument used to remove tiny amounts of the underlying tissue. Then the flap was replaced. This was a forerunner of our present-day LASIK.

With the development of laser technology in the 1980s, the surgical instrument was replaced by a cool laser, the Excimer laser, and Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) was developed as the first laser based refractive surgery procedure which produced a more precise treatment and stable visual result.

In the 1990s, the LASIK vision correction procedure that we know was refined, being first performed by Dr. Loannis Pillikaris in Greece, in 1992. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Excimer laser for PRK in 1995, for the correction of nearsightedness, and approved LASIK as a medical procedure in 1999, after careful investigation of its safety and effectiveness.

Present-Day LASIK

The three most important refinements of LASIK vision correction since then have been Wavefront Guided LASIK, Iris Registration, and bladeless LASIK. These allow for extraordinary precision and customization of LASIK surgeries, so that no two LASIK surgeries are alike.

Bladeless LASIK is a 100% blade-free technique in which a special laser (known as a femtosecond laser) is used to perform the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. This bladeless technology is heralded as safer and more precise than traditional LASIK.  The bladeless procedure has begun to revolutionize the way LASIK is performed.  

Bladeless LASIK uses pulses of laser light lasting only quadrillionths of a second to create your corneal flap—instead of using a metal blade—during the first step of LASIK.  Combined with WaveFront (custom) technology, many people have experienced better vision sooner following the procedure. Studies have shown a better quality of vision overall, particularly in terms of their ability to see well in low light such as at dusk or at night. At the 20/20 Institute, we use the most advanced femtosecond laser approved by the FDA, the Ziemer Femto LDV to perform the bladeless LASIK procedure.

At 20/20 Institute, we use the most up-to-date Wavefront equipment, with Iris Registration, and can give you such fast and accurate vision improvement that it can only be described as a life-changing experience. Our facilities are spa-like in their comfort, and our experienced staff and doctors are dedicated to making your time with us as comfortable and productive as possible.

Please call or email us to set up your free initial evaluation. You can have all of your questions answered, have a look at our state-of-the-art facilities, and meet our world class staff as they do their utmost to provide you with an outstanding life-enhancing experience at 20/20 Institute. Give us a call today.

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