LASIK remains one of the most prevalent vision correction technologies, but many people are surprised to learn that it’s been in use for decades. Despite its long history, that doesn’t mean that LASIK is the same as it has always been – in fact, it’s more advanced than ever. Here’s what to know about LASIK and its advancement over time, as well as what advanced LASIK technologies you can find at Boston Vision.
The History of LASIK
The theory behind LASIK began to take hold as early as the 1950s. The idea was to cut a flap in the cornea using a precise surgical blade and reshape the underlying structure to improve refractive errors. In the 1980s, it was discovered that the excimer laser could safely and effectively cut organic tissue. The LASIK procedure as we know it was created with this information in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, LASIK has continued to evolve and incorporate even more advanced technologies since then, becoming what it is today.
The Development of LASIK Lasers
Because of the extreme success of LASIK in the scientific community, a more precise and advanced version of the excimer laser was created. The femtosecond laser was a large step forward for LASIK because it reduced the occurrence of dry eye. WaveLight LASIK technologies also began to drive the industry forward by developing technologies that could maintain as much of the natural shape of the cornea as possible to shorten recovery time, produce better results, and reduce the occurrence of glare and halos after LASIK.
The Most Advanced LASIK Technology – Wavefront
Currently, the most state-of-the-art and advanced LASIK technology is Wavefront Optimized. This technology creates a highly detailed, three-dimensional map of the eye (similar to a fingerprint) which then guides the laser to reshape the cornea accordingly. Previously, LASIK involved correcting refractive errors based on a variety of calculations that didn’t always take into account very small imperfections in the cornea. Called custom LASIK, Wavefront Optimized offers the most precise and accurate results ever achieved through LASIK, measuring correction of up to 0.01 diopters versus a traditional 0.25 diopters. This means that Wavefront Optimized technology is a must if you’re considering your options for long-lasting, high-quality LASIK results.
Custom LASIK at Boston Vision
At Boston Vision, you can find the most advanced and state-of-the-art LASIK technologies available. To learn more about your options with laser vision correction, schedule a free evaluation today with our providers at our Boston, MA area locations.
