Although LASIK eye surgery was approved by the FDA in the late 1990s, its history goes back many years earlier. If you have poor eyesight, you may be wondering a lot about LASIK Los Angeles surgery, including how it was invented. The story actually goes way back and has been developed over the decades by many optic specialists across the world. History buffs, get ready because you’ll have a field day with this one!
Back in 1948, Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer (1916-1998) invented the very first technique of reshaping the cornea, the outer layer of the eye, naming it keratomileusis. This means “sculpting of the cornea.” His passion for creating new surgical inventions made him a pioneer in the optical industry, transcending modern practices as we know them today. Today, he is remembered as the “father of modern refractive surgery”.
In 1960, Jewish-American physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman (1927-2007) invented the laser, the world’s first coherent light in Malibu, California. Although not a medical doctor, he granted future optic surgeons the ability to create amazing innovations such as laser eye surgery we now have in Los Angeles. Indian-American doctor Mani Lal Bhaumik would go on to build from Maiman’s creation and invent the Excimer laser, an ultraviolet laser. He presented his research leading to his invention in front of the Optical Society of America in 1973. This would lead to American scientists first conducting studies on how lasers could be used to correct vision problems in the late 1980s. Meanwhile, Russian ophthalmologist Svyatoslov Fyodorov (1927-2000) invented radial keratotomy, commonly referred to as RK, which was used to reshape a person’s cornea to fix myopia (nearsightedness). It still exists today, but varies from LASIK surgery as LASIK is designed to fix defects in eyesight as opposed to reshaping the cornea. Lasik eye surgery also has fewer complications than RK.
Ultimately, LASIK eye surgery itself is accredited to being invented by Dr. Gholam A. Peyman, an Iranian-American ophthalmologist. He built up a very impressive resume, having received a medical degree from the University of Freiburg in Germany, which is the country’s 5th oldest university. He completed internships in both Germany and the United States, eventually landing him a faculty position at the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Medicine. After leaving UCLA, Dr. Peyman moved on to serve as a professor at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois. During his time at the university, he developed an interest in lasers and their effects on the eye. He spent years studying them, but had to wait to put his knowledge to use as the lasers were expensive and many people understandably felt it was dangerous to be experimented with such new technology. Eventually, he would be granted permission by University of Helsinki’s Physics Department in Finland to perform these experiments and develop the LASIK technology he had been carefully studying for so long. Since then, 10 million Americans have had LASIK surgery and made their glasses and contacts a thing of their past.
Today, at the age of 85, Dr. Peyman serves as an emeritus professor of ophthalmology at Tulane University. It is thanks to him that tens of thousands of people now enjoy the benefits of Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery. He even has his own website where you can view his multiple publications and achievements. About 8 out of 10 American adults are candidates for lasik, and chances are, you probably are, too. An overwhelming 95% of patients have reported that they are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery, so if you are ready to begin your journey today, call Harvard-educated Dr. Ferzaad Moosa’s office at (866) 923-9235. Our staff is ready to assist you with any of your questions and help you create a plan to help you afford your surgery so that you can start living a better, more productive life.
