Diamond Lasik
Lasik History
Radial Keratotomy (RK), a precursor to LASIK, was performed by making incisions on the corneal surface to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. These techniques were first studied by the Japanese, then improved upon by an eye doctor in the Soviet Union during the 1970s. He taught this to American doctors visiting the USSR. While not a perfect procedure, RK did decrease patients’ dependence on eyeglasses.
In 1976, IBM Corp. developed the excimer laser, used in Lasik Procedures. The first American refractive surgery using an excimer laser was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDR) in 1996. This laser revolutionized vision correction with its ability to remove very thin amounts of corneal tissue, equal to approximately 1/200th the thickness of a human hair, in approximately 12 billionths of a second.
Advances in technology, including the ultrathin diamond micrometer cutting blade, the microscopic guidance systems and computers to track results did much to increase the popularity and effectiveness of laser vision correction.
Wavefront technology gave us Custom Lasik, where your diagnosis is done to a far more precise level than the traditional diagnosis for glasses prescriptions. Since the diagnostic data guides the treatment laser, your results are of higher quality than was obtained from earlier Lasik Vision Correction.
Today, LASIK has been performed successfully on millions of patients seeking significant vision improvement. This is due largely to rapid technological advancements that continue to improve the procedure in terms of speed, comfort, results and cost.
How does LASIK correct the refractive errors of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism? A unique combination of technology and surgical skill makes it happen.
• In nearsightedness (myopia), the cornea is too steep. Light from distant objects is bent too much and focuses in front of the retina instead of on it. The highly advanced excimer laser, developed in the 1980s, slightly flattens the cornea according to your customized treatment plan.
• In farsightedness, or hyperopia, the cornea is too flat. Light from nearby objects is not bent enough and focuses behind the retina. The LASIK laser slightly steepens the cornea by removing tiny pieces from around the edges according to your treatment plan.
• Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is oval instead of round. An oval lens has two curvatures: a steeper one on its shorter side and a flatter one on its longer side. That means light coming from the same object is bent in two ways and vision is blurry. The LASIK laser makes the cornea rounder for clear vision.
About the Author
If you are considering laser vision correction surgery in San Francisco, Oakland & San Jose, California, the first step is to meet with an eye surgeon. Dr. Gary Kawesch and his team of experienced and highly trained vision correction experts have helped thousands enjoy improved vision for life.
To set up a personal consultation, why not email LASIK surgeon Gary Kawesch M.D. today.
Direct Optical Center “Tina Lasik”
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