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LASIK Vision Correction History and Statistics
Statistics
Number of LASIK vision correction procedures performed world wide through 2004: 17.8 million
Number of LASIK vision correction procedures in the US through 2004: 8.1 million
Number of US surgeons in 2004 who performed refractive surgery: 3,985
Number of excimer lasers world wide October 2004: 4,700
Number of excimer lasers US October 2004: 1,400
Number of procedures referred by an optometrist 2004: approximately 176,000
(Source: October 2004 Annual Report, Market Scope)
LASIK Vision Correction History
Researchers have been exploring surgical techniques to treat refractive errors for more than a century. LASIK vision correction is the culmination of that work.
1975:
First excimer laser is produced. It is known for its precision and was used by IBM to etch circuits into computer chips.
1983:
Scientists explore use of excimer laser on corneal tissue. It was discovered that the excimer laser could remove corneal tissue without affecting the area outside of the target zone.
1985:
German ophthalmologist uses excimer laser for first time on human eyes.
1988:
U.S. surgeon uses excimer laser to correct refractive error on a normal sighted eye during FDA clinical trials.
1990:
An Italian ophthalmologist combines the microkeratome and the excimer laser to create LASIK vision correction. He used a microkeratome to create a flap of corneal tissue and the laser to reshape the tissue of an inner layer of the cornea.
1991:
First LASIK vision correction performed on a sighted eye for FDA clinical trials.
1995:
FDA approves first excimer laser for PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy).
1999:
FDA approves first excimer laser for LASIK (Laser-In-Situ Keratomileusis) vision correction.
1999:
One million LASIK vision correction procedures completed in the United States. FDA approved first “flying spot” laser.
2001:
LASIK vision correction is the most common elective surgical procedure in the United States.
2002:
FDA approves first customized wavefront-guided LASIK vision correction application.
2003:
CustomLASIK becomes widely available in the United States.
(Sources: Alcon, Inc.; VISX, Inc.; and “Laser Vision Breakthrough” by S.Brint,D.Kennedy, & C.Kuypers-Denlinger)