LASIK surgery, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is performed on the eye when a patient is short sighted, long sighted, or has astigmatism. LASIK surgery is the most commonly used laser eye treatment and is preferred over PRK eye surgery because the recovery time is quicker, and the patient suffers less discomfort than with other treatments. Read PRK vs. LASIK for an in-depth comparison between these techniques. There are two forms of LASIK eye surgery, one of which is performed with a blade and one without.

For the blade version of LASIK the surgeon uses a microkeratome, or cutting instrument, that cuts a small flap on the surface of the cornea. This flap is then lifted to allow the surgeon to work on reshaping the cornea underneath. Unlike PRK where the flap is removed, with LASIK it is replaced after the cornea is reshaped, which enables faster recovery after LASIK surgery for the patient.