The Technology Jonnie Williams Helped Bring to Market Plays an Important Role in Today’s LASIK Surgery
The patent for the technology for VISX was filed in 1996 and approved in 1998. The technology that led directly to VISX had been in development for 20 years prior to that. Well into the 21st century, we still see the laser which Jonnie Williams helped bring to market continues to play an important role in LASIK.
Jonnie Williams Role with Visx
Jonnie Williams is sometimes credited as being one of the pioneers of laser eye surgery. One of Jonnie Williams’ most important contributions was his role in financing the development of the invention of equipment for performing laser refractive eye surgery. The VISX patent sought to create a method for performing the LASIK surgery that was more convenient for the doctor while at the same time exposing the patient to less risk. As one of the early investors in VISX, Jonnie Williams was integral in the creation of this invention.
A Brief History of Jonnie Williams Role In VISX
The company that Jonnie Williams helped finance was originally incorporated in 1986, 10 years before the patent application was filed for the laser that has become so important to modern LASIK surgery. VISX was the first company to be given FDA approval for Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), which corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. The VISX system can also be used for Laser-Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). Similar to PRK, this uses a “microkeratome” to fold back a layer of the cornea so the laser can then be used to reshape it. Many ophthalmologists prefer LASIK for its superior ability to correct nearsightedness, as well as for its fast recovery time.
How Jonnie Williams Helped Bring VISX to Market and the Laser that Is Used Today
Over 25 years after Jonnie Williams first began work on what would become the VISX laser, the company still produces what is considered the industry standard in LASIK equipment. The latest release of the VISX technology is the excimer laser system. Some of the newest innovations of this equipment include the ability to customize the laser size to the individual patient’s cornea, as well as a 3D tracking system that allows the laser to follow the tiny motions of the eye instantaneously over three dimensions.
The technology around LASIK has come a long way since Jonnie Williams helped fund VISX so many years ago. But what hasn’t changed is that VISX remains the industry leader in producing the technology that defines how the best LASIK is performed.
