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Speaker traces LASIK evolution from mechanical technique to laser procedure
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PARIS — LASIK surgery has gradually evolved from an entirely mechanical technique to an all-laser procedure over the past 20 years, according to a speaker here.
 Lucio Buratto |
"Originally, LASIK was a corneal lamellar technique, where the refractive cut was performed by manual and then mechanical keratomes. The devices we used at that time were difficult to assemble, not adequately safe, and produced irregular cuts and rough surfaces," Lucio Buratto, MD, said at a symposium celebrating the 20th anniversary of LASIK at the meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.
In October 1989, Dr. Buratto became the first surgeon to use an excimer laser for intrastromal ablation in a human eye. Later, he introduced the down-up LASIK cut for performing the flap with the Automated Corneal Shaper microkeratome (Bausch + Lomb).
Today's microkeratomes have overcome the problems and complications of early models. They are easy to assemble and use, are electronically controlled, and produce smooth cuts and surfaces. However, they are not the top option for creating the LASIK flap, Dr. Buratto said.
"Femtosecond laser is the present and future of LASIK," he said.