Laser eye surgery is a procedure for correcting vision by reshaping the cornea and changing the way the eye focuses. Laser eye correction can improve eyesight so that corrective lenses will no longer be necessary.

LASIK eye surgery is a technique of eyesight correction surgery. The phrase LASIK is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is an outpatient surgical procedure that uses an excimer laser for treatment of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. During this process tissue is removed from the transparent membrane which overlays the iris, known as the cornea. The curve of the cornea is adjusted to enhance the way the eye focuses light rays at the rear of the eye.

Laser eye surgery is an uncomplicated process. Included in the pre-surgery evaluation, the eye is measured and the cornea is profiled, supplying the surgeon with the prescription to program into the laser. There is no pain experienced at the time of the procedure as the eye is anesthetized with eyedrops.

The surface of the eye is first cut to produce a minutely thin flap. Then, to adjust the contour of the cornea, the laser removes pre-programmed quantities of cornel tissue below the flap with bursts of light. The flap is then closed back around the eye to create a natural bandage. No more than 5 minutes are required for this part of the process.

The day following LASIK eye surgery you might most likely be seeing well enough for mild pursuits and may even be in a position to go back to work, although it typically takes three to six months for the eyesight to recover entirely and eyesight to settle down. As your eye gets better, you may want to stay away from arduous activity. Furthermore your vision may continue to sharpen as the healing proceeds, though for most people the eyesight is sharp and much better right after surgery.

There may be a number of short term, moderate unwanted effects attached to laser eye surgery but as the cornea gets better these generally subside. Bad night vision, glare or halos around lighting, light sensitivity, reduced sharpness of vision, small pink or red patches on the white of the eye, hazy or blurry vision, irritation, dry eye, some soreness or discomfort are a few of the unwanted effects that could be encountered.