LASIK, short for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a surgical procedure that uses a cool beam of ultraviolet light to gently reshape the cornea — the surface of the eye — to improve vision. The laser removes microscopic bits of tissue to flatten the cornea (for nearsightedness), steepen the cornea (for farsightedness), and/or smooth out corneal irregularities (for astigmatism). In most cases, the thickness of the layer of corneal tissue removed by the laser is less than the thickness of a human hair. The goal of any LASIK laser vision correction procedure is to reshape the cornea so it does a better job of focusing images onto the retina.
Myopia or “nearsightedness occurs when light rays are focused in front of the retina instead of on the retina. Laser removes tissue from the center of the cornea.
Regular astigmatism occurs when light rays are focused at more than one point on the retina Laser is used to make the cornea more spherical. This involves removing tissue in one direction more than in the other.
Also known as “farsightedness” this condition occurs when light rays are not bent enough to focus on the retina. Laser removes tissue from the center of the cornea.