History of Laser Eye Surgery

03 Dec 2012

Ever since humans developed difficulty with sight we’ve been finding ways to correct it. Glasses have been worn for hundreds of years, but some revolutionary surgical work was to follow.
 
The Russians performed the first successful refractive eye surgery in the 1960s and 1970s; a technique called radial keratotomy. It involved making 16 little incisions in the cornea, all the way around like spokes in a bicycle wheel.
 
This allowed the cornea to flatten out slightly and helped near-sighted people to see objects in the distance without any glasses. It usually had good results and was used on thousands of people-although back then was quite invasive, and difficult to predict exactly how much the refraction would change.
 
In the 1980s, Jose I. Barraquer was the pioneer of more modern refractive surgery when he developed a process to remove a small piece of corneal tissue from the eye and freeze it so it became hard. It was then reshaped to a specific curve on a spinning lathe and reinserted back onto the patients’ cornea, with results more predictable than the older techniques. The amount of reshaping could be determined in advance depending on the patient’s vision issue.
 
When argon fluoride Excimer lasers were used to make computer microchips in the 80s, doctors discovered that it was possible to sculpt plastic very accurately using the laser. It wasn’t long before Ophthalmologists thought about using them to sculpt corneal tissue itself.
 
It was first used successfully on a blind eye (just in case), and then on a well-seeing eye in 1987. A computer was used to control the laser so the surgeon (T. Seiler) could reliably remove the exact amount of tissue from the cornea.
 
This technique of laser removal (ablation) of corneal tissue is highly effective; the technology is now state of the art and extraordinarily accurate. Millions of people have had refractive eye surgery in the past 20 years with great success.
 
The advances in the field of laser eye surgery have been astounding; not only can lasers be used with absolute precision; surgeons have learned ho to use biocompatible materials to allow insertion of flexible polymer lens in cases of Presbyopia, where the patient’s own lens has aged and become too stiff to allow proper refraction.
 
These days Laser Eye Surgery is some of the most technologically advanced, innovative and successful surgery in the world, with minute adjustments ensuring the procedure can be precisely tailored for every single patient. It’s safe, pain-free and affordable.
 
Learn more about the history of Laser Eye Surgery. Contact Optilase for a free consultation on +353 1 223 8821.

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Patient Reviews

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Monica mc mahon
April 15, 2024

From beginning to End of my procedure with Optilase, I was treated personally and professionally. The surgery, true aftercare was smooth and efficient and I can only say it was the perfect choice for us . I highly recommend Optilase.

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Roxanne Bartolome
April 15, 2024

I recently had the PRK procedure a month ago. It's been life changing to be able to see clearly after wearing glasses for 20 years. My vision was not 20/20 after surgery since I had PRK and I was first scared that it won't get better. But give it time and patience and it will improve. Optilase was superb on aftercare and the team during the surgery really took care of me. I'm so happy ❤️ Thank you Optilase!

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Lin Walsh
April 12, 2024

Omg i thought about having lens replacement for 2 years , i just wish i did it then , I’m absolutely delighted with my eyes now , i am only 3 weeks over it and cant believe how wonderful it is to see everything so clear , i nearly want to tell everyone who wears glasses to do this , if i had known sooner how painless this op is i would have booked in immediately , Everyone in my Clinic were fantastic so friendly , just do it you certainly wont regret it , also the aftercare is amazing .

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Susan Sutton
April 8, 2024

Staff are all very nice and procedure was painless and quick

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David Hill
April 8, 2024

Delighted with my experience at Optilase. Professional staff who looked after me from start to finish. Procedure itself was very quick. A big thanks to the whole team.

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Aoife Mckenna
April 8, 2024

Absolutely delighted with the results of my surgery. I wish I done it years ago

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Denise Carroll
April 8, 2024

Does what it say, corrects your vision! Very fast and professional service.

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jessica daiana
April 8, 2024

Great price for excellent service. All staff was very professional and welcoming, great results and good aftercare

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gary Malone
April 6, 2024

Best thing I ever done ,👍

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Catriona Brady
April 1, 2024

Fantastic experience throughout, from consultation to aftercare. Professional, welcoming and calming staff. Appointments and procedure were easy and relaxed and the overall result was excellent. Aftercare was also great, nothing was ever a hassle.

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Rebecca Walsh
March 29, 2024

Worth the money. Staff guide you step by step to relax you through the surgery. Recommend

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Mark O'Keeffe
March 28, 2024

I found the whole process very professional and very well organised. They also assisted in the documentation process very easy. They were also very good to help in arranging the reference process too. If I was make one small comment is they need to add a prescription painkiller to the process. Although the after experience was exactly what was expected it could been managed better with a stronger pain relief. Other than that I have recommended 3 people to get the procedure from Optilase, all of which had a great experience. I would highly recommend Optilase for vision correction and the long term benefits have changed my life.

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