A Short History of LASIK and Our LASIK Expertise

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LASIK surgery has dramatically improved over time. Eye Consultants of Texas founder Phillips Kirk Labor, MD has been at the forefront of LASIK advancements for more than 20 years. Across Dallas/Fort Worth and beyond, he is considered a true LASIK innovator for a procedure with beginnings that go back more than 100 years.

Doctors first experimented with radial keratotomy (RK), a pattern of incisions using standard surgical tools to correct myopia (nearsightedness). RK is a form of refractive surgery – any eye surgery used to alter the shape of the cornea to improve vision. Not until the 1970’s was this actually put to the test in Russia. In a way, it happened somewhat by accident after a young boy had broken his glasses in a fall, cutting his eye. The injury was minor, but it had shaved off a layer of the outer surface of the eye. Previously very myopic, the boy now had improved vision. The discovery was published, and soon American doctors researched and turned this into a vision correction procedure using a laser instead of surgical tools.

LASIK Surgery Suite at Eye Consultants of Texas

Fast-forward to today, and LASIK is dramatically more effective, safer and more precise. The level of discomfort and time to heal have also improved tremendously. Naturally, this is a product of technology and Dr. Labor learned early on the importance of innovation. Before he started practicing ophthalmology, he trained under surgeons highly respected for their innovative expertise. Dr. Labor realized how to recognize and utilize technology to his patients’ advantage in every way.

In one example, he was the first solo private practitioner in the U.S. to acquire the Ziemer FEMTO LDV. This allowed for all laser, blade-free LASIK with greater precision. He soon adopted the IFS™ Femtosecond laser, an even more efficient all laser technology which he uses today. Combined with addition technology called VISX STAR IR 4, the result is a procedure called iLASIK, designed to greatly enhance precision, comfort and safety. This procedure is performed in the comfort of our Grapevine office in a fully state-of-the-art LASIK suite.

Dr. Labor’s expertise has been recognized worldwide. In one example, he was invited to address an international conference on the advantages of all laser LASIK. Patients all across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex seek out Dr. Labor’s expertise today. Call our Grapevine office to learn more, or to set up an appointment to see if you’re a candidate for LASIK.