Modern day laser eye surgery had its beginnings with an accident in the 70s. A young boy in Russia fell and broke his glasses injuring his eye. A Dr. Fyodorov found that the mishap had shaved a layer off of the outer surface of the boy’s eye. The boy who was very near sighted before the accident noticed improved sight in that eye. Dr. Fyodorov studied the case and then published his findings.

With funding and research together with the development of the computer, laser surgery for eyesight correction became more popular. It was the Americans who were first able to include a laser in the process. Previous to this, radial keratotomy was performed with traditional surgical tools. Even though this was not as accurate, thousands of people had improved eye site.

It was in 1978 that a Dr. Srinivasin used the Excimer laser on other parts of the body, and later a Dr. Steven Trokel, who was an ophthalmologist, used the Excimer laser on the cornea.

My son actually had Lasik surgery last year, which is the latest technological advancement. He has been very happy since he no longer has to wear glasses or contacts every day to see. This is very beneficial since he is in the public eye daily as a salesman for a software company. However, I still hesitate when I think about my eyes being altered. As a 2-D artist, I use my eyes most of my waking hours. A fear of losing this precious gift of sight keeps me from doing anything drastic.

My mother had a torn retina and her mother had cataracts. I am very near sighted as well as have quite serious astigmatism. Perhaps that is why I am protective of my present condition; however, I must admit that it is not very convenient. When I get in the car to drive, I have to make sure I have the correct glasses and then to read I need another pair. I have tried bifocals, but get irritated that I always have to lean my head back to see things up close (I do not like admitting I am that old!).

Recently I had a subconjunctival hemorrhage or bleeding in my left eye. I remember sneezing quite hard and woke up the next with a bloody eye. I went to the eye doctor and he assured me that it was nothing serious and would go away within a week.  You can still see where it was, but if my eyes are that sensitive when I sneeze, it makes me a bit apprehensive to do laser surgery.

I have been watching the new show “The Doctors” and thought I might be the perfect candidate to go on if they have a laser eye show. People write in with their phobias about surgery and then some kind doctor will offer to fix their deformity for free. Actually the cost of laser eye surgery is not so bad when you consider they are messing with one of your vital senses.

One day I may get brave and go for it, but until then I will continue looking for my glasses.