There are several refractive surgeries that correct your vision, in order to eliminate the need for glasses:

The most widespread surgery is called LASIK.

This method involves two steps:

1. Lift a thin flap of the corneal surface
2. Correct the vision with the Excimer laser

The corneal flap can be made with the use of a microkeratome or more recently with the Femtosecond laser (The Intralase Method™).

The Mikrokeratome

This is the most widespread method. An instrument called the microkeratome uses a blade to cut a thin corneal flap.  This flap is then raised in order to allow the sculpting of the inner tissue of the cornea (stroma) with the Excimer laser.

The surgeon then folds back corneal flap, that heals without sutures. 

Watch: The Traditional Method using MircoKeratome

The Femtosecond laser

With this new method called The Intralase Method™, using the Femtosecond, laser tiny pulses of laser light, a quadrillionth of a second each, pass harmlessly through the outer portion of your cornea and form a uniform layer of microscopic bubbles just beneath the surface of your eye.

The exact dimensions of this layer of bubbles are determined by your doctor based on what’s best for your eye, and are computer controlled for maximum precision-things that are not possible with a hand-held blade. The IntraLase flap creation process takes about 30 seconds.

When it’s time for your LASIK treatment to be performed, your doctor easily separates the tissue where these bubbles occur and then folds it back, thus creating your corneal flap.

When LASIK is complete, a flap created using the Intralase Method™ is uniquely able to “lock” back into place. Your eye then begins to rapidly heal.

If you have a thin cornea, a wide pupil or a dry eye, your doctor may recommend Intralase, LASEK, PRK or a different surgical procedure.

Watch: The New Intralase Method™

** The goal of any refractive procedure is to reduce your dependence on glasses. After surgery, you may still need to wear glasses for some activities.
 
Although complications are rare, they can never be ruled out completely. Possible complications include reduced vision, halos around lights, infection, inflammation and dry eyes.