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Numbing eye drops are applied to the eye.

A hinged corneal flap is created by the surgeon using a microkeratome and folded back

The inner corneal layer is reshaped ("chipped away") with the excimer laser

The surgeon repositions the flap

The flap adheres to the inner cornea naturally and securely

LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is most commonly performed by our doctors because of the quick results and recovery time it provides. During LASIK, an instrument known as a microkeratome folds back a thin layer of corneal tissue. The Excimer laser's cool light then gently pulses to remove a predetermined microscopic amount of tissue in order to sculpt the cornea's surface and correct the refractive error. The amount of tissue to be removed is dependent on the eye's curvature. If you are nearsighted, your cornea will be made flatter, if you are farsighted, the doctor will be making your cornea steeper and if you have astigmatism, your cornea will be made more spherical. After the laser work is complete, the flap is placed back in position where it will naturally bond without stitches or bandages.

LASIK is based on procedures which have been performed for over 30 years with highly effective and safe results. It is an excellent example of the combination of a proven manual technique (making a corneal flap using a microkeratome) with state-of-the-art technology (reshaping the corneal surface with the excimer laser).

Unlike PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) in which the most outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium is first removed before the actual laser procedure can be performed, the healing phase of the LASIK procedure does not significantly depend on the regeneration of the epithelial layer. As a result, the recovery of vision is significantly faster without pain compared to PRK procedure.