Lecture on the Evolution of Vision Correction Surgery

Introduction

• Jose Ignacio Barraquer Moner: Spanish ophthalmologist in 1948.
• Discontent with reliance on glasses; sought a surgical solution for blurry vision.

Early Surgical Technique: Keratomileusis

• Procedure:
  • Slice off the cornea's front.
  • Dunk it in liquid nitrogen.
  • Use a lathe to shape the frozen cornea for vision correction.
  • Thaw and sew it back.
• Objective: Correct refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia).
• Refractive Errors Explained:
  • Myopia: Steep cornea focuses light short of the retina.
  • Hyperopia: Light focuses beyond the retina.
  • Astigmatism: Cornea has different curvatures; causes blurry vision.
  • Presbyopia: Aging of lens proteins, diminishing focus ability.
• Impact: Allowed direct cornea shape alteration rather than relying on external aids like glasses.

Modern Techniques: Laser Eye Surgery

• Tools Used: Excimer lasers known for precision.
• Method:
  • Separate a thin corneal layer with a blade or femto-second laser.
  • Lift the flap and sculpt the corneal bed with an excimer laser.
  • Re-seal the flap; quick recovery.
• LASIK:
  • "Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis": Carves contact lens prescription onto the cornea.
  • Risks similar to wearing disposable contact lenses.

Recent Advances in Vision Correction

• SMILE Technique: Smaller incisions, faster recovery.
• Laser Blended Vision: Adjusts eyes for distance and close range, allowing merged vision.

Conclusion

• Continued advancements in laser technology improve the effectiveness and accessibility of vision correction surgery.
• Future possibilities of realizing Barraquer’s vision of eliminating glasses.