The term »excimer« is derived from the English
term »excited dimer« (excited molecule) which relates to the influence
a cold laser has on cells.
Ancient times
2.000 years ago, spectacles were used in ancient Europe and China as mere fashion items. Glasses were first used to improve sight in Arabia in the 11th century, finding their way to Europe 200 years later.
1900
It was one hundred years ago that surgeons first tried to correct weak sight by manipulating the cornea. But until the middle of the 20th century, all these efforts failed.
1970
It was not until the 1970s, that the Russian Professor Fjodorow successfully corrected near-sightedness by making incisions into the cornea, so-called »radial keratotomy«. However, this method has some disadvantages: deep scar formation and reduced cornea stability caused by the incision, which can be as deep as 95% of the cornea's thickness!
1983
New York, June 1983: the new method PRK is born and quickly gains overwhelming support from specialists around the world. Today, excimer laser treatment is used to correct far-sightedness, near-sightedness and astigmatism successfully. Millions of patients have been operated worldwide. Moreover, cornea scars caused by external influences which seriously impair vision can be erased.
Ancient times
2.000 years ago, spectacles were used in ancient Europe and China as mere fashion items. Glasses were first used to improve sight in Arabia in the 11th century, finding their way to Europe 200 years later.
1900
It was one hundred years ago that surgeons first tried to correct weak sight by manipulating the cornea. But until the middle of the 20th century, all these efforts failed.
1970
It was not until the 1970s, that the Russian Professor Fjodorow successfully corrected near-sightedness by making incisions into the cornea, so-called »radial keratotomy«. However, this method has some disadvantages: deep scar formation and reduced cornea stability caused by the incision, which can be as deep as 95% of the cornea's thickness!
1983
New York, June 1983: the new method PRK is born and quickly gains overwhelming support from specialists around the world. Today, excimer laser treatment is used to correct far-sightedness, near-sightedness and astigmatism successfully. Millions of patients have been operated worldwide. Moreover, cornea scars caused by external influences which seriously impair vision can be erased.