LASIK Education

What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism.

How the procedure generally works

A surgeon creates a thin corneal flap (using a blade-free femtosecond laser in modern LASIK), gently lifts it, and uses an excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue beneath. The flap is then repositioned to heal naturally. The procedure itself typically takes about 15 minutes per eye, though exact timing and recovery vary by patient and by the specific LASIK technology used.

Common types of LASIK technology

Traditional (Standard) LASIK — uses a microkeratome blade to create the corneal flap.
Blade-free / All-laser LASIK — a femtosecond laser creates the flap instead of a blade.
Custom / Wavefront-guided LASIK — a detailed map of the eye is used to personalise the treatment plan.
Topography-guided LASIK — maps corneal irregularities, often used for irregular corneas.

There is no single technology that is universally "best" — the right option depends on your eye measurements, corneal thickness, and vision goals, which is why an in-person evaluation matters.

Who typically considers LASIK?

Eye surgeons generally look at factors such as stable eye power over time, corneal thickness and shape, overall eye health, and general medical history (for example, well-controlled blood sugar). Age is one factor among several — it is considered alongside the rest of your vision profile, not used on its own to rule someone in or out.

This page is for general education only and is not medical advice. Whether LASIK or another vision-correction option is suitable for you can only be confirmed by Dr. Kashish Gupta after a complete in-person eye examination.