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News
Laser Vision Correction by the NumbersStatistics
(Source:Market Scope 2002)
• Number of refractive procedures performed world wide through June 2002: 9,545,000
• Number of refractive procedures in the US through June 2002: 5,182,000
• Estimated number of LASIK procedures in the US through June 2002: 4,929,600
• Number of US surgeons in 2001 who performed refractive surgery: 4,500
• Number of US surgeons in 2001 who made laser vision correction a key part of their practice: 1,900 (perform estimated 90%of total LASIK procedures).
• Number of excimer lasers worldwide April 2002: 4,360
• Number of excimer lasers US April 2002: 1,499
• Number of procedures referred by an optometrist 2001: 195,300 (97,650 patients).
Milestones in Laser Vision Correction
(Sources:Alcon,Inc.;VISX,Inc.;and “Laser Vision Breakthrough ”by S.Brint,D.Kennedy,&C.Kuypers-Denlinger)
Researchers have been exploring surgical techniques to treat refractive errors for more than a century. LASIK 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 excimerlaser 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. 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 performed on a sighted eye for FDA clinical trials.
1993 - TLC Laser Eye Centers opens center in Windsor,Ontario.
1995 - FDA approves first excimer laser for use in refractive surgery.
1999 - Millionth procedure completed in the United States. Tiger Woods has LASIK at TLC Rockville. FDA approved first “flying spot ”laser.
2001 - LASIK is the most common elective surgical procedure in the United States.
2002 - FDA approves first customized wavefront-guided laser eye surgery application.
2003 - Custom LASIK becomes widely available in the United States. |
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