Establishing LASIK in the United States

The Introduction of LASIK in the United States

Before LASIK Had a Name

Long before LASIK became a household term—and well before it emerged as the most common elective surgery in the United States—I had the privilege of participating in its earliest development here. At that time, refractive surgery stood at a crossroads, and the choices made during those early years would ultimately shape the field for decades.

Although many leading corneal surgeons remained understandably cautious, I recognized the technology’s potential to fundamentally change patient care. Consequently, that conviction led me to help organize the first LASIK course ever held in the United States.

A Pivotal Moment in Refractive Surgery

This course marked a historic moment. It brought together many of the world’s most respected refractive surgeons at a time when LASIK itself was still widely misunderstood. In fact, over two days, 25 internationally recognized surgeons delivered 64 scientific presentations—yet not one used the term LASIK. The hesitation was unmistakable.

Nevertheless, the underlying science was sound. Moreover, patients needed better options than those available at the time. For these reasons, I believed LASIK represented the future of refractive care, even when skepticism dominated the conversation.

From Skepticism to Standard of Care

By presenting data, encouraging open discussion, and challenging prevailing assumptions, that meeting became a turning point. From that moment forward, LASIK did not simply gain acceptance—it accelerated. Ultimately, it evolved into the procedure that would redefine how millions of Americans correct their vision.

At the same time, I contributed to the academic foundation necessary for responsible adoption. I edited and authored chapters in Advances in Refractive and Corneal Surgery, including the first textbook chapters ever written on both myopic and hyperopic LASIK. As a result, these chapters became essential references for early adopters and future leaders in the field.

Why This History Matters

This page does not exist for self-promotion. Instead, it exists for transparency.

Patients deserve to understand where modern procedures originate. Likewise, colleagues deserve access to the documented record behind early claims. Therefore, the material presented here simply preserves the historical evidence from LASIK’s earliest days in the United States.