LASIK is an FDA approved procedure that's painless, fast, and effective. It's the world's most popular refractive procedure. Tens of millions of patients are enjoying excellent vision and improved lifestyle without having to resort to glasses or contacts. Modern All Laser Wavefront Optimized LASIK may even help patients achieve better vision than is possible with glasses or contacts.
LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.
No matter where, how or by whom it is performed, LASIK consists of the following 6 steps:
Create a thin corneal flap
Lift and reflect the hinged flap to expose the underlying corneal stroma
Correct the refractive error by reshaping the cornea with an EXCIMER laser
Return the corneal flap to its original position
Smooth the flap to remove any wrinkles
Ensure adherence of the flap to the underlying stroma without stitching or glue
Although the basic steps listed above comprise LASIK, all LASIK is not the same.
The results will depend on a multitude of factors such as:
Diagnostic technology used to measure the eyes before the surgery
The technology used to create the flap (e.g. Microkeratome vs. Intralase)
The EXCIMER laser used to correct vision (e.g. Visx vs. Allegretto)
The environment in which the procedure is performed
The experience and the skill set of the surgeon performing the procedure
The quality and training of the support personnel, e.g. technicians, nurses, assistants, etc.