Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy · Last reviewed July 2, 2026 · Review policy (Arabic)
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LASIK is a laser eye procedure — the most common refractive surgery used to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
The name stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." During the procedure, a laser reshapes the cornea. Like other refractive surgeries, the goal is simple: reshape the cornea so incoming light focuses precisely on the retina, producing clearer vision.
LASIK is painless and takes only about 15 minutes for both eyes.
It isn't the ideal option for everyone, though. In some cases the surgeon may recommend an alternative refractive procedure such as PRK, or a phakic intraocular lens (phakic ICL) implant.
Dr. Shaarawy will discuss which procedure is best for your specific case.
Most LASIK patients notice improved vision almost immediately. Within hours, vision is significantly clearer without glasses or contact lenses, and it continues to sharpen and stabilize over the following days.
Before the procedure begins, anesthetic eye drops are placed so you feel no discomfort during surgery. Your surgeon may also give you a mild sedative to help you relax.
You're then positioned under the laser, and a device called a lid speculum keeps your eyelids open.
The surgeon marks the cornea with an ink marker before lifting the flap. A very thin, superficial layer of the cornea — the flap — is created using either a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser.
During this step, a suction ring is applied to the front of the eye to keep it stable.
The surgeon lifts the flap and uses an excimer laser to remove a precise amount of corneal tissue, calculated from your prescription (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism).
The excimer laser produces a cool ultraviolet beam that removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue, reshaping the cornea so light entering the eye focuses more accurately on the retina and vision improves.
You'll be asked to look briefly at a fixation light while the surgeon monitors your eyes through the operating microscope.
The reshaping itself is painless, though you may feel some mild pressure on the eye. You'll also hear a steady clicking sound while the laser runs.
LASIK is performed on each eye separately, and each takes only about five minutes.
For nearsighted patients, the laser essentially flattens the cornea; for farsighted patients, it makes the central cornea steeper.
Once the cornea is reshaped, the flap is laid back in position. LASIK needs only topical anesthetic drops — no bandages, no sutures.
The excimer laser also corrects astigmatism, smoothing an irregular cornea into a more regular shape.
Before LASIK, Dr. Shaarawy performs a comprehensive eye exam to confirm your eyes are healthy enough for the procedure. The assessment includes:
The surgeon may recommend pre-treatment to reduce the risk of post-LASIK dry eye.
An automated corneal topographer or Pentacam measures the curvature of the front of the eye and creates a precise "map" of your cornea.
In addition:
One practical note: you'll need to stop wearing contact lenses for a period (usually about two weeks) before your eye exam and your LASIK procedure, since contact lens wear can temporarily alter the natural shape of the cornea.
After LASIK, your surgeon will ask you to rest for a while. You may notice itching or a mild burning sensation immediately after surgery. Vision can be blurry right afterwards too, but it typically clears significantly by the following morning.
At your first post-op visit, visual acuity is measured to confirm it's safe for you to drive without glasses or contact lenses.
In most cases, that means visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or better — the standard applied after most surgical procedures.
Don't drive after LASIK until your surgeon has examined you the next day and confirmed your vision meets the legal and safety standards for driving.
Vision typically improves over the next few days; in rare cases, it may take weeks or longer to fully stabilize.
You can get back to most normal activities almost immediately, though some surgeons advise at least one full day of rest.
Two things to avoid: strenuous exercise for at least one week, because it can stress the eye and disrupt healing — and rubbing the eye, since there is a small risk of dislodging the corneal flap.
LASIK eye surgery
LASIK can substantially improve quality of life. Most patients achieve 6/6 (20/20) vision or better after surgery, although individual results vary.
In some cases you may still need glasses or contact lenses after laser vision correction — though the prescription is usually much weaker than before.
If a small residual refractive error remains and you want sharper vision for specific activities such as night driving, glasses with an anti-reflective coating can often help.
And if you become more sensitive to sunlight after LASIK, tinted lenses can reduce light sensitivity for clearer, more comfortable vision.
LASIK has an excellent safety record, but as with any surgery there are potential side effects and risks, including:
While LASIK has a high success rate, discuss any concerns you have with your surgeon before agreeing to the procedure.
