LASIK stands for " Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis ", an advanced procedure that reshapes the stroma to correct a wide range of refractive errors, such as near-sightedness ( M yopia ), far-sightedness ( Hyperopia ) and distorted vision ( Astigmatism ).

In 1990, Dr. Buratto and Dr. Ionnis Pallikaris of Greece, at the University of Crete combined both techniques, Keratomileusis and PRK , to create the basic concept of LASIK and first used the procedure on human eyes in 1992. But the study of LASIK on animals was started in 1987.

With LASIK there is a possibility of correcting the refractive errors from 12 dioptres of myopia to 4 dioptres of Hyperopia and up to 6 dioptres of astigmatism. Researches show that PRK, which is a surface-treatment that involves scrapping out the epithelium off from the corneal surface, may not provide the patients an accurate vision correction for these high degrees of focusing errors.

In LASIK, the epithelium of your eye is cut and a very thin flap, approximately 130 to 180 microns thick is created carefully using a very high-precision instrument called microkeratome and excimer laser is used to reshape your stroma beneath the flap. Once the stromal tissue is reshaped thereby the image is focused on the retina, the thin flap is replaced over the area of the treatment for a fast healing with virtually no discomfort or pain, little haze or scar and a rapid stabilisation of vision.

This procedure is being carried out as an outpatient basis for the past 10+ years and is the most recommended procedure for majority of patients. This procedure may not be suitable if you have a very thin cornea and certain other conditions that the consulting surgeon will be able to help you to make a decision on whether this is the best choice for you or not.