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What is Laser Vision Correction?

I have noted that patients considering refractive surgery to correct their vision are often unsure about the differences between LASIK (Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy), and RK (Radial Keratotomy). Prior to the approval of lasers to correct vision, doctors have been routinely treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism with incisional procedures such as Radial Keratotomy. By the early 1980s, they began looking at lasers to improve the precision and predictability of altering the shape of the cornea. Researchers found that IBM's new Excimer laser, used initially for etching computer chips, had medical applications as well. The Excimer laser produces a "cool" light beam that does not damage surrounding tissue. High-energy photons from the laser break the molecular bonds a few layers a time. This ‘cool’ laser energy is what makes the excimer laser ideal for reshaping the cornea.

Now in its second decade of use, the technologically advanced Excimer laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The FDA approved the excimer laser for the correction of nearsightedness in November of 1995. Dr. Kessler began performing first PRK then LASIK shortly after the FDA’s approval.

Heavy patient demand for laser vision correction has inspired surgeons and laser manufacturers to make tremendous advancements in both Excimer laser technology and surgical technique. When laser vision correction was first approved, only low to moderately nearsighted patients without astigmatism could be treated. Today, Dr. Kessler uses the VISX STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser System. With this laser and the Advanced CustomVue Wavefront mapping of the eye, we are able to accurately treat almost all degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Today, over one million procedures are now performed worldwide each year.