LASIK is now the most popularly done refractive surgery procedure in the world. It is an operation performed for people who want to reduce or eliminate their dependence upon glasses.

LASIK is a procedure where a flap formed in the cornea, using one of the various keratomes ("corneal cutter"). The cornea is then treated with an Excimer laser to change its curvature before the flap is placed back into position. The procedure normally takes five minutes per eye and is not felt by the patient due to the use of anesthetic drops. The Excimer laser is controlled by a computer, which appropriately reshapes the cornea depending on the person's prescription.

LASIK is quite accurate for patients who have myopia (nearsightedness), and also is reasonably accurate for patients who have myopia and astigmatism. It is also effective in treating hyperopic patients (farsighted).