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LASIK in Milwaukee - Historical Perspective

Vision Correction From a Historical Perspective

Year Event
1268 First recorded comments on eyeglasses by Englishman Roger Bacon
1784 Benjamin Franklin (USA) invents bifocals
1827 English astronomer Frederick Herschel invents hard contact lenses
1885 Dr. Schiotz of Norway performs the first surgery to correct astigmatism
1940's Dr. Sato begins performing RK and AK in Japan
1961 Dr. Barraquer in South America begins performing keratomileusis, an early precursor to LASIK
1962 Otto Wichterie invents soft contact lenses in Czechoslovakia
1970's Dr. Fyodorov modernizes RK/AK in Russia
1978 Dr. Bores introduces RK/AK in the United States
1983 Dr. Trokel (USA) describes the use of the excimer laser for vision correction surgery
1985 Dr. Seiler (Germany) performs the first excimer laser treatment for astigmatism
1995-98 The United States FDA approves use of the excimer laser for treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
2003 VISX, Inc. receives FDA approval for CustomVue, the first wavefront guided laser treatment for nearsightedness and astigmatism
The surgical correction of vision deficiencies, such as nearsightedness and astigmatism, started in the 1880's, when crude incisions were used to reduce warpage of the cornea (astigmatic keratotomy). These techniques were advanced in the 1940's, as Dr. Sato invented RK in Japan.

In the 1960's, Columbian surgeon Jose Barraquer, M.D. began using flap techniques and cryo-lathing (keratomileusis) to reshape the cornea. And, in the 1970's, Dr.Fyodorov started a renaissance in vision correction surgery in Russia by modernizing radial keratotomy (RK). His success raised awareness of the growing effectiveness of these procedures, which, along with technological breakthroughs in laser systems, opened the door to modern-day procedures such as LASIK, LASEK and PRK.

With the recent approval (May 23, 2003) of the CustomVue wavefront guided laser system, a new era of vision correction surgery is underway. Now, for the first time, there is a realistic possibility that many patients will see even better than they did with glasses or contact lenses.

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Dr. Lanny Hale is a highly regarded Milwaukee and Brookfield LASIK surgeon who has helped numerous patients achieve freedom from glasses. He is also renowned as a highly talented Milwaukee IOLs specialist who uses advanced lens implants, such as ReStor and Crystalens, to help patients achieve clear vision at various distances.