Normally, the cornea—the clear layer in the front of the eye—focuses light directly on the retina in the back of the eye. When the cornea is irregularly shaped, light doesn't focus precisely on the retina, which results in these refractive errors:
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK is FDA-approved for people aged 18 and older who've had a stable eyeglass or contact lens prescription for at least two years in a row, and whose eyes are generally healthy. Certain people may not be good candidates for this procedure, including those who have:What to Expect
Before the LASIK procedure, the eye surgeon will do an exam to check the shape and thickness of the cornea, look for refractive errors, and take detailed measurements of the eye. Some eye surgeons use newer wavefront- and topography-guided technologies to create a custom map of the cornea, which results in more precise vision correction.During the procedure, the eye is first numbed using special eyedrops. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser or blade called a microkeratome to cut a thin flap of tissue from the front of the eye. The doctor then pulls back the flap to reveal the cornea.
Then a laser burns away small amounts of tissue to reshape the cornea so that it focuses light more directly on the retina. There shouldn't be any pain, although some people feel pressure during the procedure. The entire LASIK surgery takes about 15 minutes for both eyes.
After the procedure is completed, the surgeon places the flap back. It will seal on its own, without stitches, in the days following the procedure.
