Recent developments to watch out for one the first known Lasik (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis), a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, was performed somewhere in the early 1990s, even though the first patent for the same wasn’t handed out till 1999.

The invention of Lasik eye surgery brought relief to lives of millions of people across the world and continues to do so. Advancements in this field are looked upon with great curiosity, enthusiasm and each new development adds a fresh lease of life to this brilliant eye care technology.

The advances in ophthalmic laser technology mean us doctors can now restore 20/20 vision to patients who were earlier considered too short or long-sighted to qualify for this treatment. In the past few months, a number of renowned ophthalmologists have performed some exciting new surgeries that offer a new perspective to the way Lasik eye surgery has been performed all these years.

When Lasik first came into existence, the corneal flap was created using a blade called a microkeratome. These days, most ophthalmologists use another laser called a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap. During the surgery, a flap in the cornea is created and the laser vision correction takes place deep within the cornea as opposed to on the surface (done originally). Results of this procedure are far more advanced and it allows the ophthalmologist the ability to treat a greater number of problems. By using a second laser, patients are ensured clearer vision, especially at night, and the chances of complications are greatly reduced, making laser eye surgery safer than ever before.

Wavefront-Optimized Lasik, first performed in US, the procedure is much more customized when compared to treatments involving glasses, contact lenses, or traditional Lasik methods. In fact, the level of vision obtained is far more precise. The results of this procedure may vary from patient to patient and it is mostly possible to achieve 20/15 vision, which is typically better than the best vision available with glasses or contact lenses.

Many people typically do not like to undergo laser eye surgery because of the minimal amount of risks, but a recent simple procedure combining eye drops and UV light has made the procedure far less risky. Performed for the first time in the UK, a simple 90-second treatment eliminates almost all risks associated with laser eye surgery.

The new treatment called Lasik Xtra, almost entirely negates risk of the three most common complications linked to this procedure: corneal ectasia, regression of sight and epithelial in-growth. This procedure ensures that the risk of developing serious complications from laser treatment is virtually reduced to zero. It involves applying anaesthetic drops, after which a small flap is made on the surface of the cornea using a hand-held femtosecond laser device.

After this, a laser is used to remove a minute amount of corneal tissue, thereby reshaping it before the flap is replaced. The procedure takes around 10 minutes per eye. The treatment works by cross-linking the fibres within the cornea, making them thicker and substantially more resilient. Eye drops containing a modified version of riboflavin - Vitamin B2 -  are applied after laser treatment, which are then ‘activated’ by UV light.

Considering the reduction in risks typically associated with standard Lasik eye surgery, Lasik Xtra will go down in ophthalmology history as a ground-breaking invention. Lasik Xtra reduces the risk of corneal ectasia to none from a previous between one in 150 to one in 500; for regression, the risks will be negligible, compared to the previous between one in three and one in 20; while the risks of epithelial growth are virtually eliminated from an earlier between one in 50 to one in 100.

The world of ophthalmology typically does not see many exciting inventions. It is, however, pioneering techniques like these that take our world by storm and their ability to change the lives of millions of is what makes it worthwhile.

(The author is chairman, Ben Franklin Opticians owned by Eyegear Optics India Pvt. Ltd)