LASIK, an acronym for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis,” is one of the safest, most effective and popular elective procedures for vision correction. Laser vision correction involves using a precise computer-controlled laser to gently reshape the cornea, allowing light rays to focus more directly on the retina.

In most cases, laser eye surgery is pain-free and completed within 15 minutes for both eyes. The results — improved vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses — can usually be seen in as little as 24 hours. The goal is to reduce dependence on corrective lenses, although reading or driving glasses may still be needed. LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

If you’re not a good LASIK candidate, a number of other vision correction surgeries are available, such as PRK, refractive lens exchange, LASEK laser eye surgery, and phakic IOL surgery. Your eye doctor will determine if one of these procedures is suitable for your condition and, if so, which technique is best.

LASIK eye surgery is accomplished in a few short steps. A local anesthetic is first applied to the eye(s). A thin flap is then carefully created on the surface of the cornea, using a highly precise instrument called IntraLase® or a microkeratome.

The flap is pulled back, revealing the middle section of the cornea. A cool ultraviolet light beam, produced by our VISX S4™ laser, is then applied, removing tiny portions of the cornea in an effort to reshape it and improve visual acuity. Each pulse of the laser removes approximately .25 microns of corneal tissue.

By comparison, the diameter of a human hair is about 50 microns. Because the laser used in LASIK surgery removes corneal matter in such small increments, extreme precision is achieved in the process. Once the cornea is corrected, the flap is replaced and the procedure is complete.