Before the 1980s if a person could not have a successful treatment with glasses, contacts, or medicine, low vision and blindness became inevitable. Many scientists and doctors refused to accept that mandate. Surgical tools of the time could cause scars and do not have the precision desired to ensure a highly successful eye operation that resulted in better eyesight. At IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center near New York, a series of experiments with laser technology gave hope that a tool could become created that could handle eye tissue.
Srinivasan and turkey
As reported by the Optical Society in 1981 Rangaswamy “Sri” Srinivasan held a research position with IBM. With a team of experts, they had refined an argon fluoride excimer laser that used small pulses of ultraviolet light to make incisions. Though the tool had been improved, it had not been tested on the tissue. The scientist firmly believed it would be a good surgical tool. They needed a tissue that showed all the stellar qualities the laser beam could offer as in cut through tissue without causing damage to surrounding cells. As scientists will do, they had had a vast amount of discussion on the subject and had not made much headway. With the Thanksgiving holidays close they decided to go celebrate and tackle the need once returning in December.
As Srinivasan on Thanksgiving Day sat to eat his feast with family and friends as the turkey lay on his plate, a eureka idea sprang forth. Would not turkey meat satisfy the scientific conditions for testing the argon fluoride laser? Sri summarily wrapped turkey meat, turkey bone, and turkey cartilage for the lab. Srinivasan went to the lab on November 27, 1981. With ten nanosecond pulses of laser light fired the argon fluoride excimer laser onto the somewhat rigid and smooth surface of the turkey meat.
The laser caressed turkey meat became taken to the optical microscope, which gave the evidence that the laser beam had cut the meat precisely without damaging any nearby tissue. So began the many collaborations and testing of the laser tool on various tissues with many different groups and colleagues. Eventually, it leads to the LASIK and laser eye surgery industry seen today. In 2013 then-President Obama gave Wynne, Blum, and Srinivasan the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for their discovery.
Improving vision
If the eyesight does not function as it once did maybe Houston Lasik with its lasers can help. Designated as an outpatient surgery in a few days, a patient chosen carefully can have a better vision for Thanksgiving. LASIK has a proven track record of success of more than 90 percent of patients achieving better vision. Patient satisfaction with the procedure also remains well above 90 percent. The clinic in Houston is known for its friendly, informative staff and its doctors for their excellent surgical skills. More than delighted to answer any questions, they will work with the financing and timing of the procedure. Just contact and start the process today.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Via
https://phys.org/news/2013-11-leftover-thanksgiving-dinner-gave-lasik.html
