LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular surgery that can correct vision in people who are nearsighted or farsighted, or who have astigmatism.

It’s one of many vision correction surgeries that work by reshaping your cornea, the clear front part of your eye, so that light focuses on the retina in the back of your eye.

When light doesn’t focus on your retina the way it should, your vision is blurry. Doctors call this a refractive error. The basic types include:

Nearsightedness (myopia). You see things clearly when they’re close to you, but things farther away are blurry.
Farsightedness (hyperopia). You see faraway things more clearly, but closer things are blurry.
Astigmatism. This can make everything blurry because of how your eye is shaped.
Talk to your doctor about whether LASIK is right for you.

You shouldn’t have the surgery if you:

Are younger than 18
Are pregnant or nursing
Take certain medications
Have a lot of recent changes to your vision prescription
Have thin or uneven corneas
Have eye conditions such as glaucoma or very dry eyes
Have other health issues such as diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

The benefits of LASIK include:

It’s been around for over 25 years. About 96% of patients reach their vision goals afterward. An enhancement can raise this number even more.
There’s very little, if any, pain involved.
There aren’t any bandages or stitches.
If your vision changes as you age, your doctor can adjust it.
You probably won’t need to use glasses or contacts as much, or at all, after LASIK.

Your doctor will give you drops to numb your eyes. You can also ask for a mild sedative.

They’ll use an instrument called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser to make a thin flap in your cornea. They’ll peel it back and use another laser to reshape the tissue underneath. Then, they’ll put the flap back in place, and the surgery is done. Learn more about the kinds of lasers used during LASIK eye surgery.

The LASIK procedure itself usually takes about 20 minutes. Plan to have someone drive you home after surgery.

• Your eyes will be dry, even though they may not feel that way. Your doctor will give you prescription eyedrops to prevent infection and inflammation, as well as drops to keep your eyes moist. You might have a brief, slight burning feeling or blurry vision when you use them. Do not use any eyedrops without asking your doctor about them.
• Your eyes will probably heal very quickly. Most patients notice better vision within a few days. Call your doctor if you have any problems or unusual side effects.
• Don’t swim or use a hot tub for 2 weeks after surgery. You might get a plastic shield to protect your eyes while you’re sleeping for a few days.
• Your doctor will tell you when to come back for follow-up visits. The first one will probably be a day or so after the procedure. Learn more about recovering from LASIK eye surgery.