Laser Eye Surgery History
In May 1973 Dr. Bhaumik announced the discovery of LASIK laser eye
surgery to the world at a meeting of the Denver Optical Society in the
USA. LASIK means laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.
The refractive surgery includes all surgical techniques for correcting
refractive errors of the eye. (near-sightedness, far-sightedness,
astigmatism, presbyopia). It can only be performed by a qualified
ophthalmologist. And is a technical correction based on the principle of
corneal reshaping by laser, there are many laser options depending on
the condition LASIK, PKR, LASEK, are most common. In some indications,
other technical corrections may be proposed, such as refractive
implants.
What does the word LASIK?
This technique refers to the use of the laser to reshape the cornea in
depth in order to compensate for a lack of optical reflection. LASIK is
a surgical procedure that allows corneal correction of a wide range of
myopias, hypermetropias and astigmatisms. The technique of LASIK has
three main segments, the raising and then cutting of a strand of the
corneal surface, the issuance of the laser beam in the area and finally
the corneal tissue reshaping.
This procedure is performed without general anesthetic and is completed
under just a local anesthesia by drops being placed in the eye.
The PKR or photo-keratectomy refers to refractive based on a
principle similar to LASIK, processes using a laser to reshape the
cornea. During the PRK, the epithelium is gently peeled after
administration of aesthetic drops to numb the cornea.
The PRK is characterized by a recovery that is longer and painful that
LASIK, because it must wait until the epithelium pushes on the surface
of the cornea then reshaped, which takes a few days. If the procedure is
painless, a feeling of discomfort, burning occurs in the hours that
follow but usually lasts less than 24 hours.
Most surgeons cover the surface of the eye with a special contact lens
at the end of this intervention which, in addition to taking
painkillers, to make the post-op pain quite bearable. The results of the
optical PKR are equivalent to those of LASIK.
LASEK is a technique derived from the PKR with which it shares key
themes, with the difference that the epithelium is repositioned before
peeling on the surface of the cornea after issuing the laser beam. This
variant has been proposed to reduce pain and inflammation transitional
observed after the technical contact. It is recommended in cases of high
myopia, when the thickness of the cornea does not allow the use of LASIK
surgery.
LASIK is a very technical procedure that has become commonplace over the
past decade. The first intervention was in the early 90’s and numerous
clinical trials were subsequently conducted in Europe and the USA. It is
the use of the laser is the more recent of many procedures going back to
the 1930’s before the use of laser’s could be considered.
Thanks to its accuracy and the absence of thermal effects doctors have
been able to refine the technique of reshaping the cornea of which there
are now two main variants: LASIK (laser in-depth after cutting a thin
strip cornea) and PKR where the laser is used on the surface. |
