LASIK , or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to reshape the cornea, the clear dome-shaped front surface of your eye, to improve your vision. LASIK is performed for correction of shortsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It a painless surgical procedure typically performed on both eyes during the same session.
Here's how LASIK works:
- Creating a flap: Your LASIK Surgeon uses a laser or a blade to create a thin flap in your cornea. This flap is folded back to expose the underlying tissue.
- Remodeling the cornea: The excimer laser is used to remove tiny amounts of tissue from the underlying corneal stroma, which changes the shape of the cornea.
- Replacing the flap: The corneal flap is then repositioned.
The entire LASIK procedure typically takes about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.
Watch the video to learn how LASIK laser eye surgery is performed.