What is LASIK?

For people wishing to have less dependence on glasses or contact lenses, an excimer laser procedure called Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is currently the best way to achieve clear, natural vision. In performing LASIK, the surgeon first uses a special oscillating blade to make a partial cut through one fourth to one third of the front surface of the cornea, creating a flap of clear tissue on the central part of the eye.
The patient is then positioned under the excimer laser, which is programmed to vaporize some of the internal corneal tissue under the flap. After the laser has removed the selected tissue, the flap is closed over the eye. The cornea has extraordinary natural bonding qualities that allow effective healing without the use of stitches