History of LASIK
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When was LASIK invented?
Quick Answer: LASIK was first performed in 1990 by Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris. It was FDA approved in 1999.
LASIK's development spans decades of innovation in ophthalmology and laser technology.
Key Milestones
1949-1960s: Foundation
- Dr. José Barraquer pioneers keratomileusis (corneal reshaping) in Colombia
- Manually reshapes corneal tissue
- Establishes principles used in modern LASIK
1970s: Laser Development
- Excimer laser invented at IBM
- Initially used for etching computer chips
- Produces precise tissue removal without heat
1980s: PRK Emerges
- 1983: Dr. Stephen Trokel proposes excimer laser for vision correction
- 1988: First PRK performed in Germany
- FDA trials begin in the US
1989: LASIK Patented
- Dr. Gholam Peyman patents the LASIK procedure
- Combines flap creation with laser reshaping
1990: First LASIK
- Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris performs first LASIK in Greece
- Combines microkeratome flap with excimer laser
- Revolutionary improvement over PRK recovery time
1995-1999: FDA Approval
- 1995: Excimer laser approved for PRK
- 1999: LASIK approved by FDA
- Commercial LASIK available in US
2000s: Technology Advances
- Wavefront-guided treatments introduced
- Femtosecond (bladeless) lasers developed
- Eye-tracking technology improved
2010s-Present
- 2016: SMILE approved by FDA
- Continued refinement of technology
- Over 40 million procedures performed worldwide
LASIK Today
- Most studied elective procedure
- 96-99% satisfaction rates
- Continued technological improvements
- Standard of care for vision correction
Top LASIK Surgeons in Atlanta
MP
Milan Patel, MD
Milan Eye Center
Jeffrey A. Carlisle, MD
Thomas Eye Group
Gayle Leff Goldstein, MD
Georgia Eye Partners
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