# LASIK Eye Surgery > Citation bundle for LASIK Eye Surgery on The Treatment Registry. > URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/lasik > Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/lasik - Category: ophthalmology - Average recovery: 3 days - Typical sessions: 1 - Price range (USD international): $1,000–$4,000 ## Description LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser to correct refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. A thin corneal flap is created, the underlying tissue is reshaped, and the flap is repositioned. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes per eye with rapid visual recovery. ## Overview LASIK is performed as an outpatient procedure under topical anaesthetic eye drops, taking approximately fifteen minutes per eye. A thin corneal flap of approximately ninety to one hundred microns is created using either a femtosecond (bladeless) laser or a mechanical microkeratome. The flap is folded back to expose the corneal stroma, which is then ablated by an excimer laser according to a pre-calculated treatment map derived from wavefront aberrometry and corneal topography measurements. The flap is repositioned over the treated surface and adheres without sutures by virtue of natural surface tension. Candidacy depends on stable refraction for at least twelve months, minimum corneal thickness (typically above 480 to 500 microns) with adequate residual stromal bed after ablation, and corneal topography showing no signs of pre-existing ectasia or keratoconus. Patients with very high refractive errors, dry eye disease, or irregular corneas may be better served by alternative procedures such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), SMILE, or phakic intraocular lens implantation. Visual recovery after LASIK is characteristically rapid: most patients achieve functional vision within twenty-four hours and notice a marked improvement within the first day. The review appointment at twenty-four to forty-eight hours is important for confirming flap position and early visual acuity. Most patients are advised to use preservative-free lubricating drops for several months to manage the transient dry eye that is nearly universal post-LASIK. Night vision disturbances (halos, starbursts) are common in the first weeks and typically improve over three to six months. ## Peer-reviewed outcome rates - **Complication rate:** 1.00% (range 0.50–2.00%) — from 2 cited sources - **Revision rate:** 5.00% (range 2.00–10.00%) — from 1 cited source ## Common risks - Dry eyes (most common side effect, usually temporary) - Halos, glare, or starbursts around lights at night - Under-correction or over-correction requiring enhancement - Flap complications (wrinkles, displacement) - Regression (partial return of refractive error over time) - Rare: corneal ectasia (progressive thinning) ## FAQs ### Am I a good candidate for LASIK? Suitable candidates have stable vision for at least twelve months, adequate corneal thickness, no signs of keratoconus or corneal ectasia, and are not significantly affected by dry eye disease. A comprehensive pre-operative assessment including corneal topography and pachymetry is required to confirm suitability. ### Is LASIK permanent? The reshaping of the cornea by the laser is permanent, but some patients experience gradual regression — a partial return of their refractive error — over years, particularly those with higher prescriptions. Additionally, LASIK does not prevent the natural development of presbyopia (reading difficulty) with age. ### Does LASIK hurt? The procedure is performed under topical anaesthetic eye drops and is not painful during treatment. Patients may feel pressure from the suction device used during flap creation. Mild discomfort, light sensitivity, and a watery sensation are typical for the first several hours after surgery. ### What is the difference between LASIK, PRK, and SMILE? LASIK creates a hinged corneal flap before laser reshaping; PRK removes the surface epithelium instead, with slower recovery but no flap. SMILE is a newer technique that uses only one laser type and removes a small lenticule of tissue without a flap, potentially reducing dry eye compared with LASIK. ### Can LASIK correct presbyopia (reading glasses)? Standard LASIK corrects distance vision and does not address presbyopia, meaning patients over forty may still require reading glasses even after a successful procedure. Monovision LASIK — correcting one eye for distance and the other for near — is an option for some patients but requires a trial with contact lenses first. ### What happens if I move my eyes during LASIK? Modern laser platforms incorporate real-time eye-tracking systems that automatically adjust the laser delivery to compensate for involuntary eye movement. If movement exceeds the tracker's tolerance, the laser pauses automatically. Patients are asked to focus on a target light but do not need to keep perfectly still. ### How long does LASIK last? For most patients, LASIK produces a stable, long-lasting result. The majority of patients maintain their corrected vision for many years, though a small proportion experience regression requiring an enhancement procedure. Age-related changes such as cataracts and presbyopia will occur independently of LASIK over time. ### Can I have LASIK if I have astigmatism? Yes. LASIK is effective for correcting astigmatism as well as myopia and hyperopia, provided the degree of astigmatism is within treatable limits and the corneal thickness is adequate. The laser treatment map accounts for the irregular corneal curvature associated with astigmatism. ## Alternative treatments - **PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)** — Surface-ablation alternative for patients with thin corneas or chronic dry eye in whom LASIK flap creation is contraindicated. - **SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction)** — Flapless keyhole alternative, narrower indication range but better corneal biomechanics retention. - **Refractive lens exchange** — Lens-based alternative for patients in their late 40s+ where presbyopia is a co-issue. - **Continued spectacles or contact lenses** — First-line conservative management; no surgical risk but ongoing cost and lifestyle constraints. ## Sources - [Cochrane Database — LASIK versus PRK for myopia](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005135.pub3/full) — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (accessed 2026-05-09) - [American Academy of Ophthalmology — Preferred Practice Patterns including Refractive Surgery](https://www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern) — American Academy of Ophthalmology (accessed 2026-05-09) - [ESCRS — Clinical research and guidelines](https://www.escrs.org/clinical-research/) — European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (accessed 2026-05-09)