It is a treatment that uses a cool beam of light to gently reshape the surface of the cornea to conform to your prescription. If you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism, and you are ready to reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses and contacts, then the LASIK procedure could be for you.

What's the difference between PRK, LASIK, and RK?

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) both use the VISX laser system to remove corneal tissue and thereby flatten the cornea for nearsightedness or steepen it for farsightedness. In the PRK procedure, the laser operates on the surface of the cornea.

LASIK is laser surgery to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness with or without astigmatism. The surgery is similar to PRK, but does not treat or alter the front surface of the cornea. The doctor uses an instrument called a microkeratome to create a circular flap of corneal tissue. The flap is then lifted from the cornea while the doctor uses the Excimer laser to remove small amounts of underlying tissue from the exposed cornea.

RK (Radial Keratotomy) is a non-laser procedure in which the surgeon makes a series of radial incisions into the cornea.