Laser Eye Surgery

The history of laser eye surgery is short when compared to other histories. As is common in scientific developments, a method of achieving one result is often modified to a very different use in a completely different field. Use of the laser was common in the production of silicone computer chips. It was used in the 1970’s to etch the silicone chips. The process was named Excimer laser process.

Three members of an IBM scientific research team realized in 1982 that the Excimer laser process could be used to remove tissue without heat damage to the surrounding tissue. This significant development led to speculation that many areas of human medicine could benefit from this process. While it subsequently became common to use the laser in several medical treatments, let us focus on the eye. In 1987, a New York City Ophthalmologist, Steven Trokel, was the first to use laser in eye surgery.

After Dr. Trokel’s first surgery, the next 10 years were spent in perfecting the technique. Of course, there was a lot of controversy along the way, but doctors specializing in all treatments of eye problems were excited to be able to offer this solution to their patients. In 1996 the US government officially approved this eye surgery treatment for the first time. While awaiting approval, many forward thinking eye surgeons undertook training to learn the new technique, called refractive surgery through radial keratotomy.

With the 1996 government approval, there came a thousand fold increase in the availability of eye treatment options. Prior to the 1996 approval, removal of a cataract involved remaining immobile for 6 weeks, laying flat with sandbags on either side of the head. Even the surgery itself was very involved. Now with lasers it was accomplished in just minutes, including insertion of new lenses. Not only was the cloudy lens removed, but clear vision was instantly available with the new lens. Eye protectors and various drops were and are still used for 2 or 3 days after surgery. The patient is advised to avoid lifting, bending or straining for a few days, but is no longer confined to bed.

Previously, if you were among the 80% of the population who needed vision correction, your only safe and easy option was either glasses or contact lenses. Laser eye surgery changed all that. Now it was possible to have your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism corrected by laser eye surgery.