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History of Evolving Technology Part 3
History of Evolving Technology (Glasses, RK, and LASIK), Part 2
In case you missed part 2, please find it here.
Just as Kleenex is synonymous with a facial tissue, LASIK has become so popular that it has become the generic name most patients use for all forms of refractive surgery, not just LASIK. Both the surgeons and the ophthalmic industry find themselves heavily financially vested in LASIK as the predominant form of refractive surgery. Hence, many surgeons promote LASIK as the best and only way to perform vision correction surgery, even though lens implants may be a better option for some patients.
The Ziemer LDV laser keratome; the instrument of choice in creating a flap for LASIK. Courtesy of ZiemerGroup, Inc.
At low degrees of nearsightedness and farsightedness, and for simple presbyopia, LASIK is safe, effective, and has a high degree of patient satisfaction. For these types of vision problems, LASIK will likely be the procedure of choice for the rest of my career.
Learn more about LASIK and if it’s the right fit for you.
In recent years, some patients have developed a problem following LASIK surgery called ectasia, which is a steepening and thinning of the cornea that blurs vision. Identifying the risk factors for developing this rare problem (such as treatments for high myopia, or thin or irregular corneas) has resulted in refractive surgeons moving away from LASIK in some cases and recommending PRK or lens implants.
The ICL Â provides the patient with a clearer, higher quality of vision!
The Visian ICL is the most common lens implant used to treat nearsightedness. It is a plastic lens placed in the eye in front of the natural lens. The Visian ICL has been implanted since 1991, and the FDA approved it in the United States in 2005. Originally, it was used only for patients who could not have LASIK because of high corrections or thin corneas. The Vista Vision ICL procedure is
 my unique way of implanting the Visian ICL. Of late, in my practice, the Vista Vision ICL is replacing LASIK in many cases of moderate and high levels of nearsightedness because the ICL provides the patient with a clearer, higher quality of vision with greater predictability.
Dr. Paul J. Dougherty
Medical Director – Dougherty Laser Vision
