Who Invented Laser Eye Surgery? History, Timeline & Modern Benefits

For millions experiencing the freedom of clear, unaided vision, laser eye surgery represents one of medicine’s most transformative achievements. Yet behind this life-changing revolution lies a captivating story spanning 75+ years of scientific breakthroughs, accidental discoveries, and relentless innovation by visionaries who dared to imagine a world where perfect sight was possible for everyone. Understanding who invented laser eye surgery reveals not a single inventor, but a remarkable collaboration of visionary pioneers whose collective genius created today’s comprehensive range of safe, precise laser vision correction procedures. Whether you’re concerned about LASIK risks and complications or curious about what to expect before and after surgery, this history shows how decades of innovation created the reliable, FDA-approved treatments available today.

What Was the Foundation for Modern Laser Eye Surgery?

The concept of correcting vision by reshaping the cornea began in 1948 when Spanish ophthalmologist José Ignacio Barraquer Moner developed keratomileusis as the first stromal sculpting method. Working from his Bogotá clinic, Barraquer developed a revolutionary approach involving freezing corneal tissue before removing the stromal layers with a lathe. This “sculpting the cornea” is the foundational principle behind all modern refractive surgeries, and is what earned him recognition as the “Father of Modern Refractive Surgery“.

Did You Know: His other innovations included pioneering the microkeratome, mathematical tissue removal calculations, corneal flap concepts, and advanced surgical instruments still used today.

When Was Laser Eye Surgery Invented? The 1980s Breakthrough

A breakthrough came in the 1970s-1980s with laser development. Researchers developed the excimer laser for microelectronics manufacturing, where its precise etching abilities proved invaluable. The pivotal moment occurred in 1982 when IBM’s Rangaswamy Srinivasan observed that ultraviolet excimer lasers could make clean, precise cuts to organic tissue without thermal damage to surrounding areas.

Dr. Stephen Trokel, an ophthalmologist at Columbia University, recognized the potential and began researching excimer lasers for refractive error correction. By 1983, Trokel and Srinivasan were conducting experiments, proving the concept for modern laser eye surgery.

This breakthrough enabled:

• Precise tissue ablation without heat damage
• Computer-controlled corneal reshaping
• Reproducible surgical outcomes
• Foundation for all laser vision correction

These advances transformed eye care from experimental procedures to the reliable, FDA-approved treatments millions trust today.

Who Contributed to Each Type of Laser Eye Surgery? Timeline

The development of laser eye surgery represents a decades-long collaborative effort, with breakthroughs building upon previous innovations to create today’s safe, effective procedures. Here’s a quick table representing the 4 major categories of laser vision correction:

1. PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) – 1983-1988

PRK was the pioneering laser vision correction procedure, using surface ablation to reshape the cornea directly without creating a flap. A result of years of research, animal studies, and technological refinement, PRK became the first successful application of excimer laser technology on human eyes, and it established the foundation for future laser eye surgery developments.

• Dr. Stephen Trokel (1983) – Applied excimer laser technology to corneal tissue, published a landmark paper in the American Journal of Ophthalmology proving the concept on cow eyes, and initiated the PRK research.
• Dr. Charles Munnerlyn (1983-1988) – Brilliant physicist who adapted and refined excimer laser technology for precise corneal ablation, making clinical application possible.
• Dr. Marguerite McDonald (1988) – Performed the first laser vision correction procedure on a human eye at Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans, launching the laser eye surgery era and proving excimer lasers could safely treat human vision.

Patient benefit today: Surface ablation with no flap is ideal for thin corneas and active lifestyles; slower recovery (3-4 days improvement, full healing in weeks) but excellent long-term outcomes.

2. LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) – 1989-1997

LASIK revolutionized laser eye surgery by creating a hinged corneal flap before laser ablation, reducing recovery time and discomfort compared to PRK. This breakthrough technique became the most popular laser vision correction procedure worldwide, offering rapid visual recovery with minimal pain.

• Dr. Gholam Peyman (1989) – Received the first U.S. patent (US Patent 4,840,175) for “Method for Modifying Corneal Curvature,” creating the fundamental hinged corneal flap technique that defines modern LASIK.
• Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris (1990) – Performed the first human LASIK procedure and coined the term “LASIK,” developing a technique to overcome PRK’s limitations, including haze, slow recovery, and regression.
• Dr. Lucio Buratto (1990) – Working independently in Italy, developed and performed his own version of LASIK simultaneously with Dr. Pallikaris, contributing significantly to LASIK’s global adoption and establishing it as a safe, effective vision correction procedure.
• Dr. Stephen Slade & Dr. Stephen Brint (1991) – Performed the first LASIK procedures in the United States, marking the start of widespread clinical adoption and extensive FDA approval trials.
• Tibor Juhasz & Ron Kurtz (1997) – Founded IntraLase Corp after a 1993 laboratory accident at the University of Michigan’s Center for Ultrafast Optical Science sparked femtosecond laser development. This led to the 1997 founding, enabling bladeless LASIK and eliminating mechanical microkeratomes. Working with Nobel Prize winner Gerard Mourou, their innovation revolutionized corneal flap creation.

Patient benefit today: Fastest recovery (24-48 hours) with immediate vision improvement, 95.4% patient satisfaction; treats the widest range of refractive errors, including hyperopia.

3. LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy) – 1996

LASEK was developed to combine the benefits of both PRK and LASIK, using alcohol to loosen the epithelium before laser treatment and then repositioning it afterward. This technique provides an excellent option for patients with thin corneas who aren’t suitable for LASIK while reducing flap-related complications.

• Dr. Dimitri Azar (1996) – First surgeon to perform LASEK at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, developing a procedure that combined PRK and LASIK benefits for patients with specific corneal characteristics.
• Dr. Massimo Camellin – Italian surgeon who collaborated in LASEK development, working in parallel to other international teams to refine the technique.

Patient benefit today: Excellent option for athletes and contact sports; preserves more corneal tissue than LASIK while avoiding flap complications; suitable for thin corneas.

4. SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) – 2007

SMILE represents the latest shift in laser eye surgery, using only a femtosecond laser to create and extract a lenticule within the corneal stroma through a small incision. This minimally invasive approach eliminates the need for a large corneal flap, potentially preserving more corneal nerve structure and reducing dry eye symptoms.

• Dr. Walter Sekundo (2007) – Performed the first SMILE procedure on a human eye on April 24, 2007, using Carl Zeiss Meditec’s VisuMax femtosecond laser after years of development that began with 2005 animal trials.
• Dr. Markus Blum – From HELIOS Hospital Erfurt, co-authored the first efficacy and safety study of femtosecond lenticule extraction alongside Dr. Sekundo in 2008, establishing the foundational research for SMILE.

Patient benefit today: Minimally invasive (2-4mm incision vs 24mm LASIK flap); reduced dry eye symptoms from fewer disrupted corneal nerves; ideal for contact sports with no flap complications.

Experience the Legacy of Laser Eye Surgery Innovation Today

From José Barraquer’s 1948 breakthrough to today’s advanced procedures, this extraordinary journey represents one of medicine’s greatest success stories, with each technique offering proven safety and patient satisfaction. Whether you’re considering LASIK or exploring minimally invasive SMILE technology, decades of innovation ensure there’s an ideal solution for your vision needs. The highly qualified surgeons in our national directory combine this foundation with cutting-edge technology to deliver life-changing results, understanding each technique’s advantages to recommend the best laser vision correction procedure for you.