The Pioneers of LASIK Eye Surgery: A Historical Overview

LASIK eye surgery was developed through the collaborative work of several key pioneers. The foundational concept of reshaping the cornea with an excimer laser was pioneered by Dr. Stephen Trokel in the 1980s, building on the earlier work of Dr. Srinivasan. The specific LASIK procedure, which involves creating a corneal flap, was co-invented in the early 1990s by Greek doctor Ioannis Pallikaris and Italian doctor Lucio Buratto. Their work combined the precision of the excimer laser with the flap technique, leading to the modern, effective procedure known today. For more detailed information on how LASIK works and its safety, you can refer to our comprehensive internal article, LASIK FAQ.

No, a black woman did not invent laser eye surgery. The foundational work was developed by a diverse group of scientists and ophthalmologists over decades. Key milestones include Dr. Srinivasan's work with excimer lasers at IBM in the 1980s, and the first human procedure was performed by Dr. Marguerite McDonald in the U.S. in 1989. The field owes its existence to cumulative global research. While the specific inventor of the procedure is not a single individual from one demographic, the medical technology industry continues to benefit from the contributions of innovators from all backgrounds, highlighting the importance of diversity in STEM fields for driving future advancements.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2018 was awarded to Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, and Donna Strickland for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics. While their work on chirped pulse amplification is foundational to many ultra-precise laser applications, no Nobel Prize has been awarded specifically for the LASIK surgical procedure. LASIK is a clinical application that evolved from earlier foundational work, including the excimer laser developed in part by Dr. Rangaswamy Srinivasan, who was instrumental in demonstrating its ability to etch living tissue without thermal damage. The procedure itself represents a convergence of multiple technological and medical advances, rather than a single prize-winning discovery.

The first doctor to perform LASIK eye surgery was Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris in Greece during the early 1990s. While the foundational concepts for laser vision correction were developed by others, including Dr. Stephen Trokel and the team that invented the excimer laser, Dr. Pallikaris is credited with the pivotal innovation. He combined two techniques—photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and a lamellar flap procedure—to create what we now know as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis). This groundbreaking procedure, which involves creating a corneal flap before applying the laser, significantly improved patient comfort and recovery time compared to earlier methods. His work established the modern standard for laser eye surgery, making it one of the most common elective procedures worldwide.

LASIK eye surgery was not invented by a single individual, but was developed through the contributions of many researchers over decades. A key figure often associated with its foundational technology is Dr. Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece, who performed the first LASIK procedure in the late 1980s/early 1990s. While many women have made significant contributions to ophthalmology and refractive surgery, the core invention of LASIK is not attributed to one woman. The procedure evolved from earlier work like RK (radial keratotomy) and the development of the excimer laser. It represents a collaborative, international effort in medical science to improve vision correction techniques, combining laser precision with corneal flap surgery for greater safety and effectiveness.

The inventor of LASIK, Dr. Gholam Peyman, who patented the excimer laser procedure in 1988, has expressed complex feelings about its widespread use. While he stands by the technology's transformative potential for correcting vision, he has voiced significant regret over its commercialization and marketing. His primary concern is that aggressive promotion has sometimes led to patients being encouraged to undergo the elective surgery when they are not ideal candidates, potentially prioritizing profit over patient welfare. He emphasizes that LASIK is a serious medical procedure, not a commodity, and that rigorous patient screening and realistic expectations are paramount. This regret highlights the critical ethical need in medical technology to balance innovation with unwavering patient safety and fully informed consent.

Dr. Gholam A. Peyman is a highly influential Iranian-American ophthalmologist and inventor, best known for his pioneering work in laser eye surgery. He is the inventor of LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), a revolutionary procedure that has restored vision for millions of people worldwide. His 1989 patent for the method fundamentally transformed refractive surgery. Beyond LASIK, Dr. Peyman holds over 200 patents in areas like drug delivery and retinal surgery, showcasing his prolific innovation in medical technology. His career is marked by significant contributions to ophthalmology, earning him numerous awards and recognition as a key figure in making laser vision correction a safe and mainstream medical practice.