Lasik laser eye surgery is one type of refractive laser surgery for the eyes performed on patients suffering from myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness and astigmatism. Almost all patients prefer Lasik eye surgery over many other types of laser eye surgery, which is the photorefractive keratectomy or PRK because Lasik eye surgery is typically less painful and the recovery period is faster too.

Lasik works by using laser beams that reshape the cornea which will allow the patient to have clearer and sharper vision. The eye surgeon focuses the light on the retina to focus on the most important part of the eye, the retina. Lasik improves vision and will help you see better for years to come.

During this procedure, the surgeon cuts a small piece of tissue from the cornea. When this tissue is removed, a laser is then used to reshape the collagen, which are the protein fibers underneath the cornea. Before this is performed, the doctor takes the necessary measurements of the patient’s eye. He then inputs the calculated information onto the laser software and hardware which subsequently reshapes the cornea. When the reshaping is finished, the tissue flap is put back into place. The eyes heal quite quickly and patients report to having dramatic results almost as soon as the surgery is over.

Lasik takes less than half an hour for both eyes so there’s really no need for the patient to stay overnight in the hospital. Some eye specialists work on both eyes in one go, while some surgeons prefer to “test” the procedure first with one eye, then work on the second eye after the procedure shows a positive result.

Lasik surgery is a common procedure in the United States and all over the world; millions have said they were quite pleased with the results. Still, the cost, which reach up to several thousand dollars just for on eye, can be prohibitive. The procedure is still relatively new as well so the long-term effects of this seemingly ground-breaking procedure remains to be seen.