LASIK eye surgery, one type of laser vision correction, is short for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." LASIK laser eye surgery is the most commonly performed eye surgery procedure for refractive improvement in the United States today.

For complete information on LASIK eye surgery including results, outcome statistics, problems, side effects and more, visit:

The Consumer Guide to LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery

...at All About Vision, a website providing complete information on vision correction options and eye health.

In LASIK, the surgeon creates a thin, circular flap in the cornea. The LASIK surgeon folds the flap back out of the way, then removes some corneal tissue underneath using an excimer laser. The laser uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove very tiny bits of tissue from the cornea to reshape it. When you reshape the cornea in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before. The flap is then laid back in place, covering the area where the corneal tissue was removed.

With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, excimer lasers can correct astigmatism, by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.

If you are considering LASIK eye surgery (some people mistakenly call it Lasiks or Lazik), your first step is to choose a good LASIK surgeon; experience of the surgeon can lessen the risk of the surgery, so it is worth the cost. Your doctor will examine your eyes to determine exactly what kind of vision correction you need, and how much laser ablation is required. A corneal topographer will be used; this device photographs your eye and creates a kind of "map" of your cornea.

The doctor adjusts the laser for your particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a target light for a short time while he or she watches your eye through a microscope to make sure it remains in the correct position while the laser sends pulses of light to your cornea. You must remain fixated on the target light in order to obtain the best result. The laser light pulses will then painlessly remove the tissue. You'll hear a steady clicking sound as the laser is operating.

The surgeon has full control of the laser. After the procedure is finished, you will rest for a little while. If you're having both eyes done the same day, the surgeon will probably do the other eye after a short period of time.

The doctor may prescribe medication for any postoperative pain, but many people feel no more than mild discomfort after LASIK surgery. That's a big advantage over PRK, which can be painful for a few days following the procedure.

Read about LASIK outcome statistics, possible complications and side effects, and how to choose a LASIK surgeon in the Consumer Guide to LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery at All About Vision.

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Other popular topics: eyeglasses, contact lenses, LASIK, laser eye surgery, pink eye, cataracts, dry eyes, glaucoma and keratoconus.

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