Optimed Eye and Laser Clinic, Pretoria

The techniques of lamellar refractive and corneal surgery owe much to the pioneering work of Prof. Joachim Barraquer from Colombia. All of these techniques are characterised by the formation of a microsurgical flap on the cornea, which is then manipulated in various ways to achieve a difference or improvement in corneal curvature. Due to the technical difficulties involved with these procedures, it never gained wide acceptance and popularity. It did, however, lay the basis for today's modern transplant and refractive techniques.